When the wallpaper wears out or you get bored with your wallpaper, you can choose to turn your covered wall into a painted wall. Although you want to remove the wallpaper effortlessly and paint the drywall, the wallpaper removal process is a meticulous job.
Some patches will come off easily, but other areas may refuse to budge. Even if you manage to remove it all, you may still be left with a wall in poor condition to paint.
In this context, the answer to the question of "Can I paint over wallpaper?" is a matter of curiosity. In this article, as Lil'Gaea, we will share with you the questions about how to paint over wallpaper.
Can You Paint Over Wallpaper?
Many wallpaper users wonder if the wallpaper is paintable. The answer to this question is that the types of wallpaper that can be painted are paintable. Paintable wallpapers are as follows:
- Custom paintable wallpapers
- Wallpapers with paper on them (not vinyl coated).
The best paintable wallpapers are special paintable wallpapers. These papers are embossed and usually white. These wallpapers should be your first choice when buying paintable wallpaper.
Other paintable papers are designed to be painted later, but they can hold paint. These papers have various colors and patterns on them. Although these papers are not sold as paintable, they will hold paint. In addition, if there are dark colors on them, it will be more difficult to paint.
When to Paint Over Wallpaper?
Removing wallpaper can be time-consuming. If you’re using a scraping method, the process of removing wallpaper can potentially damage your walls. Painting over wallpaper can give your interiors a new look.
It is extremely important to follow the appropriate procedure to paint over wallpaper in your home and achieve a pleasant look. In this context, the steps you need to follow to paint wallpaper are as follows in detail:
1. Prepare the Required Materials
You may need some materials to paint the wallpaper. These can be listed as follows:
- Covering and special clothing to protect your body
- Rubber gloves
- Respiratory mask (optional)
- Glasses
- Drip cloth
- Cleaning cloth
- Wallpaper adhesive (for peeling seams on your wallpaper)
- Sandpaper (for air bubbles in your wallpaper)
- A cutting blade/sharp utility knife (if your wallpaper has problem spots)
- Masking tape
- Oil-based or shellac-based primer
- Wall paint of your choice
- Paintbrushes or rollers
2. Check the Status of the Wallpaper
Checking the condition of the wallpaper is very important to understand whether the texture of the wallpaper is suitable for paint. If there is any damage such as swelling or tearing on the surface of the wallpaper, you must first repair these damages.
3. Repair Wallpaper Defects
If there are small tears or holes, you can use wallpaper adhesive. Fix the edges of the tear by gluing it. Also, if the wallpaper is swollen, you should gently open the swollen area, remove the air underneath and stick it back on properly with adhesive.
4. Clean the Surface
After repairing the damage to the wallpaper, if there is any stain or dirt, you should wipe it with mild soapy water. It is extremely important that the surface is clean before painting.
5. Sand the Surface
After the cleaning phase, sanding the surface before painting the wallpaper will allow the paint application to adhere better and you will get a smooth surface. For the sanding process, you should sand the surface in circular motions.
6. Use Primer
Using a primer before painting the wallpaper can significantly improve the results. Primer is an essential material to prepare the surface and ensure better adhesion of the paint. We recommend applying the primer evenly with a roller or brush.
7. Apply the Paint
After the primer has dried, you can paint your wall. You can apply the paint by moving the roller from top to bottom and from side to side on the wall.
8. Apply Second Coat of Paint
After the first coat of paint has dried, you should apply the second coat. After this process, we recommend that you smooth the corners and edges with a brush.
9. Wait for the Paint to Dry
You must allow sufficient time for the paint to dry completely. We recommend waiting in accordance with the instructions for use.
10. Make the Final Touches
After the drying process is complete, you can apply additional paint if necessary using a thin brush to correct small mistakes in the paint. Another important criterion is to clean up stains and bleeds.
What Paint to Use on Wallpaper?
The best types of paint you can use to paint wallpaper are as follows:
- Water based paint
Acrylic Paint: Water-based acrylic paints adhere well to wallpaper and are generally odorless. They are also easy to clean and dry quickly.
Latex Paint: Latex paints are water-based and are generally preferred in interior spaces. With their elastic structure, they adapt to the movement of the wallpaper.
- Oil Based Paint
Oil-based paints are generally more durable. Care should be taken before applying these types of paints to wallpaper. Oil-based paints can damage the structure of the wallpaper and cause swelling.
If the wallpaper has a noticeable color or pattern, you should use a primer first. Using a primer provides a better surface for the paint and also reduces color transitions.
Can You Paint Where Wallpaper Has Been Removed?
During the wallpaper removal process, small cuts and some damages may occur on the walls. You need to cover these damages with plaster. After the plaster application, you can smooth the walls with sandpaper and paint. If you want to get information about how to remove wallpapers, you can review our blog content titled How to Remove Wallpaper? that we wrote before.
Can Primer Be Applied Over Wallpaper?
Primer paint must be applied on the wallpaper. After applying the primer and letting it dry, you can paint.
Can Wallpaper Be Re-Papered Over Wallpaper?
It is not recommended to stick new wallpaper over existing wallpaper, as there may be adhesive residue or bulges on the old wallpaper.
This will prevent the new paper from adhering properly. For the best results, you should completely remove the old wallpaper and then apply the new paper. If you would like to learn more about how to make wallpapers, you can review our guide titled How to Make Wallpaper (Step by Step Guide) that we have previously written .
Lil'Gaea 's approach to sustainability offers a unique design for your baby's room with wallpapers and furniture for the baby room. You can browse our products on our website for details. The most suitable design furniture and wallpapers for your baby's health are at Lil'Gaea!
