Paint Over Wallpaper

[Jeff Bulach]

Hi,

Just a small question, is it possible to paint over wallpaper. I have no problem in removing the old wallpaper. But if I did not have to do it, it would make the job easier.

Thanks.

Jeff

Ottawa, Canada

[Jim Waggener]

Remove the wallpaper first. It will be a MUCH better surface to paint on. The wallpaper will eventually peel, along with the paint. Do it right.

[Zed]

I've seen painted wallpaper bubble up after painting. It's best to remove the wallpaper, make any needed repairs to the wall, prime and then paint.

[Harvey Van Sickle]

On Sat, 26 Jul 2003 23:31:57 GMT, Jeff Bulach wrote

I tried this a couple of times when I was young and innocent (read: lazy and unwise). Poor results; I'd advise against it.

FWIW, when it was sound and thin paper -- not peeling and the thickness of lining paper -- it worked OK, but it took a couple of extra coats of paint to hide the pattern. After a sort-of-success with it, though, I painted over some paper that had a vinyl finish (yeah: I know, I know.....); we were there for another 3 or 4 years, and that paint never properly dried.......you live and learn......

It's not the best thing to do.

[gini52]

=== Perhaps, but there is now a paintable paper on the market. The paintable paper I bought for my kitchen backsplash is embossed as antique tin ceiling tile. I hung the paper then applied 3 coats of high quality gloss white paint. The paper is extrememly tight to the wall and looks and feels just like tin tile. I wonder if the OP could apply this paper over his old paper (if it is very tight to the wall) and then successfully paint it. My paper was easy to hang--perhaps easier than removing old paper. Just a thought. === ===

[Harvey Van Sickle]

On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 15:12:07 GMT, gini52 wrote

-snip-

Oh, yes: paintable, textured papers work very well; so does using a lining paper and painting that. In all cases, though, adding a new, paintable paper layer over existing layers is still a "second-best" approach: I think we'd agree that it's better all round to strip off old layers before adding new ones.

If it was me, the final decision would depend on how long I planned to live in the place. For a touch-up/clean-up job that's only going to last for a few years' tenancy, painting over the existing would probably do well enough, but if it means having to strip the painted layer of paper off in a couple of years to redecorate, the OP may as well do the stripping now and get it over with......

[gini52]

...........................................

==== Quite true. As I was applying those coats of paint, I knew it was never going to come off very easily. Anyone who does it should consider it a permanent application. ==== ====

[NC_FUBAR]