Even high-quality wallpaper can start to look worn over time. When you want a fresh update, removing old wallpaper can feel like a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. Instead, you can paint over old wallpaper for a do-it-yourself (DIY) solution. Before you start, learn how to paint over wallpaper and get insights from This Old House paint expert Mauro Henrique so you can decide whether this project makes sense for your home.
Can You Paint Over Wallpaper?
If you ask a painting expert or paint manufacturer, they will likely tell you that the best approach is to remove the wallpaper first and eliminate any residual adhesive before painting. But there are times when removing the wallpaper can actually harm the wall beneath. If someone installed wallpaper over unfinished drywall or plaster, you could damage the wall if you tried to remove it. Another reason you may not want to remove wallpaper is if there are multiple layers of paper, which makes the removal process much more difficult.
You can paint your wallpaper if it’s smooth and in good condition—meaning it isn’t scratched, peeling, or ripped. Otherwise, the wall surface will appear to be ragged and uneven. It’s possible to paint over textured wallpaper, but your wall surface won’t appear flat and even.
Tip: If you do decide to remove the wallpaper, John Dee, a painting contractor featured in This Old House Magazine, recommends wetting it thoroughly with a water-based stripping solution before attempting to remove it. Keep the wallpaper wet throughout the removal process for the best results.
When Not To Paint Over Wallpaper
You shouldn’t paint over wallpaper when it’s peeling in multiple places—or if it’s a certain type of wallpaper, such as fabric-backed vinyl. However, wallpapers like fabric-backed vinyl are often easy to remove. In fact, we’ve found that wallpapers that you can paint are hard to remove, but the ones that you can’t really paint over are easily removed.
So, before deciding to leave the wallpaper in place, choose a small corner and try to remove it. Let your success or failure be your guide. And also consider that while removing wallpaper can be a major hassle, removing wallpaper that has been painted over is an even more difficult.
In the video below, Henrique shows host Kevin O’Connor how to remove different types of wallpaper.
Steps for Painting Over Wallpaper
Now that you’ve determined you’re going to paint over your wallpaper, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Clean the Walls
Whenever you paint a wall, whether it’s bare or wallpapered, it requires a primer. Before you can use the primer, you have to clean the walls though. Wipe the dust and dirt off the walls with a barely damp cloth. Primer won’t stick well to a layer of dust.
If the walls are greasy and grimy—like they may be in a highly-used kitchen—clean them with a diluted solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP). Don’t soak the walls with the water or solution because that could soften the adhesive below the wallpaper and cause it to loosen or bubble.
Leave at least 24 hours for the walls to dry.
Step 2: Repair Any Damages
After you wash the walls, look for peeling edges or seams. Those spots have weaker adhesion. Some experts recommend using a thin layer of wallpaper seam adhesive to reattach these loose fragments.
You can also lift those areas with a thin putty knife, cutting the loose bits away and filling in with spackle to create a level surface, then sanding lightly when completely dry.
Tip: If the wallpaper has a texture you don’t want to see through the paint, you can sand the entire wall until it’s smooth with 120-grit sandpaper, using either a palm or orbital sander, says Jim Clark, a painting contractor featured in This Old House Magazine. Finish the surface with a finer 220-grit paper.
Step 3: Tape Off Molding and Trim
Using painters tape, carefully tape off any molding, trim, wainscot, or baseboard you want to protect.
Step 4: Prime the Walls
No matter which type of topcoat you will be using—oil-based or water-based—you want to use an oil-based primer. That’s because a water-based primer could soak into the wallpaper and loosen the adhesive.
Once you’ve chosen your oil-based primer, use a brush to cut in the corners and edges, then switch to a roller to finish the big stretches.
Allow plenty of time to dry according to the manufacturer’s directions. Make sure you open windows and use exhaust fans to ensure proper ventilation.
Step 5: Start Painting
Once the wallpaper is cleaned, repaired, and primed, paint it as you would any other surface. This will be especially necessary if the wallpaper has a bold pattern, or if you are applying light-colored paint over dark-colored wallpaper. You’ll likely need two coats, with plenty of drying time in between.
Supplies Needed To Paint Over Wallpaper
- Goggles
- Gloves
- Mask or respirator
- Long-sleeve clothing
- Bucket of warm water
- TSP
- Soft cloths
- Putty knife
- Wallpaper seam adhesive/spackle (as needed)
- Sandpaper (150–180-grit)
- Painters tape
- Oil-based primer
- Brushes and roller
- Mineral spirits
- Topcoat paint of your choice
Pros and Cons of Painting Over Wallpaper
As with any home improvement project, there are advantages and downsides of painting wallpaper. Most professional painters will warn you of the following disadvantages to painting over your wallpaper:
- Removal: If you eventually choose to remove your wallpaper, you’ll first have to strip the paint, making for a more difficult project.
- Seams: Wallpaper seams may show through the paint no matter how many coats you apply.
- Stubborn paper: Sometimes the wallpaper proves to be harder to hide under paint than you thought. Patterns and dark colors may peek through.
Despite the problems you could run into when you paint wallpaper, there are upsides, including:
- Cost effective: It’s cheaper to paint directly over wallpaper than spending the money on the adhesive removers and other tools to remove it.
- DIY-friendly: This is simple project most homeowners can take on themselves, even if they don’t have a lot of DIY experience.
- Time efficient: Removing your wallpaper before painting a wall is time consuming. It could take at least a day to remove it before starting to prep the wall for paint.
Our Conclusion
You can paint over wallpaper if it’s smooth and in good condition. Inspect your wallpaper for rips, tears, peels, and scratches before committing to painting it. Once you’ve determined your wallpaper is a good candidate for paint, clean your wall and prep the space. Choose an oil-based primer and cover edges and molding with painter’s tape to avoid a mess. We recommend you use two coats of paint or more to fully cover your wallpaper, and make sure you leave plenty of time for it to dry before moving back into the room.
