How do I cover or paint old wallpaper?

Kim
by Kim

Wallpaper nightmare!!! Best way to cover or paint old wallpaper

  10 answers
  • Jim Jim on Jan 03, 2019

    The best method would be to remove the wallpaper, clean the wall and fill any holes or low places and use a quality primer/paint.

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Jan 03, 2019

    It can cause an even bigger nightmare if the paper starts to bubble. You really need to bite the bullit and remove it.

    You really don't have that much and you'll be so much happier in the end.

  • Lorraine Gibb Lorraine Gibb on Jan 03, 2019

    Sorry, but old wallpaper should always be removed. It is never a good idea to paint over wallpaper or put more wallpaper over old. If you start applying paint (or new wallpaper) over it, it will likely start to peel. All the time/money spent on painting/repapering will be wasted and it won't look good at all. And once paint is applied to wallpaper, it is SO much more difficult to remove. I'd suggest using an inexpensive wallpaper scoring tool, a round tool that fits into the palm of your hand. The notched 'blades' on the underside of the tool will put thousands of tiny holes in the wallpaper, allowing a stripping solution to soak through the paper and to the wallpaper paste. Once the wallpaper is scored like this, you can spray on a commercially available (at most hardware, paint or home supply stores) wallpaper stripping solution. (Some people use a sudsy water solution but I've had better luck with the store-bought stuff because it dissolves the glue better. Saves time in the long run and it's not expensive.) Saturate the paper and let it sit a good while. (Don't rush the process!!) Once the solution has really soaked into the wallpaper, use a metal putty knife (6" blade seems to work well) to scrape the paper off. Once paper is removed, you might need to reapply solution to get any remaining glue off walls. I've never had to use any sort of steaming tool using this stripping method and wallpaper has always come off easily. After wallpaper is removed, you'll need to wipe down your walls with a damp (not wet) rag with cool water to remove any sticky residue. Allow walls to dry thoroughly (this is important)! Lightly sand and/or repair with spackle those areas that aren't smooth or are damaged. Once your walls are prepped, you can start priming and painting. Unfortunately, there's just no shortcut where wallpaper is involved. I love the look of wallpaper but use it only sparingly for a feature wall or small room because of the work needed to remove it if I decide to paint or use wallpaper again.


    Your kitchen isn't too big so it's not an impossible task. Just don't plan to paint the same day as the wallpaper is removed. All in all, removing the wallpaper will give you beautiful results that you won't be able to achieve by simply painting over it. Best of luck!

  • Mogie Mogie on Jan 03, 2019

    Wallpaper should be removed before painting whenever possible, as you'll experience better results and fewer problems down the road.

  • Only one option. Remove the wallpaper first. Score and steam. They decide what you want to do next.

  • Heje Heje on Jan 16, 2019

    Lots of the same advice - warm water and fabric softener- start on the seams or paper you have scored to begin and wipe down well - sit for a few minutes - then scrape off

  • Carol Jackson Carol Jackson on Jan 16, 2019

    If you don't want the seams showing you'll need to take it down. If you want a " vintage" look the seams won't matter.( my new go to word for happy accident- Bob Ross fan) You will need to prime with an oil base primer to seal before painting with latex. And no a primer + paint latex won't work by itself. The oil base keeps the water from the latex paint from lifting the wallpaper from the wall. I hope that makes sense.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 01, 2021

    Hel lo,

    Strip the wallpaper using a steamer and start again, or Paint over with a solid strong colour!