Can I paint over wallpaper in good condition

Lish
by Lish
  7 answers
  • Sandie Sandie on Apr 10, 2017

    I have painted over canvas wallpaper in my living room several times. It was a patterned paper with no texture, and you cannot see any difference in the wall at all compared to the other walls that had no wallpaper. I also want to note my walls are plaster, so I'm not sure if that made any difference.

  • Laura Carr Laura Carr on Apr 10, 2017

    It depends on the wallpaper. I will tell you that you will see the seams, and if you don't like how it looks, it is really hard to remove the paper. I helped a friend remove painted-over wallpaper from her living room, dining room and hallway. Even with the right tools and glue dissolver, it took us weeks because the paper came off in little chips instead of long strips. If you decide to take the paper down first, use a tool called a paper tiger. It scores just the surface of the paper so the glue dissolver can get in. The product I have used is called Dif, works really well. Good luck!


  • Etta Evans Etta Evans on Apr 10, 2017

    I find that using a paint with texture works better other wise the seams will show.

  • William William on Apr 10, 2017

    Always better to remove the wallpaper. The moisture in the paint can react with the adhesive causing the wallpaper to delaminate and bubble. If you do choose to paint prime first with a stain blocking prime. Laura is correct. Once the wallpaper is painted it will be be hard to remove in the future. I use a 50/50 mix of hot water and vinegar in a spray bottle to remove wallpaper.

  • Molly Brown Molly Brown on Apr 14, 2017

    I painted over wallpaper because there was no way I could remove it without also removing a layer of sheetrock paper here and there, making it uneven. Had to use joint compound to patch over 50% of the wall and sand, sand, sand. So for the other walls, knowing the wallpaper is soooo stuck, I used an exacto knife to peel off the seams to about 1" going left and right of the seam. Then I used joint compound to fill the gap and sanded it all smooth. I checked all the edges of the wallpaper and if it seemed a little loose anywhere, I peeled it back and filled with joint compound to make a perfectly even surface. Checked all my work with a flashlight held from the side for imperfections and then primed it 3 times. (it had a small print). Painted with 2 layers of latex paint and it looks perfect!! I think you have to be sure the wallpaper is attached such that nothing will take it off short of sand blasting.

  • Debbie Debbie on Jun 02, 2017

    Well, I won't be painting over my wallpaper anytime soon !!! Too much trouble. I have two layers of wallpaper and the first layer was installed directly onto the sheetrock without priming the sheetrock first. So removing it would cause a lot of damage to the walls.

  • Kaye Hawthorne Kaye Hawthorne on Jun 02, 2017

    spray with fabric softener ... This should help release. Also you can rent equipment from Lowe's or Home Depot that can help make the removal easier. If all else fails wipe the walls to remove residue then prime with an oil base primer if any bubbles occur cut those out and sand to remove edges and make smooth then prime the area . Once everything dry and there are no bubbles forming apply your latex paint color.