Can I sponge paint over wallpaper?

Nancy
by Nancy

I want to change my wallpaper in my kitchen and dining area. I cannot remove it because it will damage the walls. I think whoever did it missed a step. I was wondering if I could sponge paint 2 or 3 colors over the wallpaper to change it. I never really liked the goldish yellowSuggestions please. Thank you so much for answering our questions and sharing your different unique talents.

  1. Different light makes it appeardarker or lighter
  1. To me it looks like they were trying to mimic sponge painting

Can't wait to hear your suggestions. Keep it simple though my skills are limited. Thanks again!

  11 answers
  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Dec 02, 2018

    Yes you could but you need to prep it well make sure all bibles are out scrape them plaster them check corners to make sure there are no wrinkles then prime surface .Remember the better you prep the better the walls Wil come out

    .

  • Sal3170064 Sal3170064 on Dec 02, 2018

    Some wallpaper you can paint over. Clean first with sugar soap, this removes grease etc. Let dry. Make sure that any edges coming undone are stuck down.

    Then paint.

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Dec 02, 2018

    If stuck well is ok, but sometimes painting wallpaper loosens it. Patch the seems with wall patch and sand smooth. Prime in oil based primer. Stay away from water base, less chance of peeling up paper and seals it best. Then you can put any kind of faux finish over it in water base paint. Have fun

  • Lisa Sinclair Lisa Sinclair on Dec 03, 2018

    Sure! But make sure to prep it first. I've already seen some great answers here, so I won't bore everyone by repeating them. But if you really want to remove the paper, have you tried steaming it? You can rent a wallpaper steamer. To try a small area, place a damp rag on an inconspicuous place on the paper, then place an iron over the rag for a few minutes, you should be able to tell if the steam releases the glue.

  • Kathy Kathy on Dec 03, 2018

    I wouldn’t paint over it. That can create even more issues. I Would rent a steamer and once the paper is removes repair the drywall. Another option I have done is to resheetrock the walls. That way just leave the paper and Sheetrock over it. Then never put up wallpaper that isn’t removable again

  • Eliza Spear Eliza Spear on Dec 03, 2018

    It depends on the kind of paper and the finish on it. Latex paint is water based and will act like wall paper stripper and lift your paper off the wall in some cases. Even a vinyl coated paper , if there are any damaged spots, will absorb the water from the paint and lift off. Stripping it off first is better but if you are going to faux finish with a textured look or feel removing all the glue should not be necessary as it won’t affect the look. That being said I have successfully painted over paper when it couldn’t be removed by using a Zinzer primer to seal the paper surface first

  • Bijous Bijous on Dec 03, 2018

    Hi! Yes you can! To tone down the golden hue, use 3 different colors. Have a primer that adheres to vinyl tinted one of your colors. Then you can use latex paint for the other two. It's not necessary to completely cover the wall with your primer -- sponge it also -- first. Then use your other two colors. The gold will show through in some places, but be mellow. It will be gorgeous!

  • Scooter Boo Scooter Boo on Dec 03, 2018

    After hours and hours of peeling wallpaper in my huge foyer, I decided to try painting over the paper that hung on for dear life. I used a quality eggshell paint and rag rolled a slightly darker color on top. It’s been more years than I want to admit, but it’s still hanging on!


    Of importance, my house is 100 years old and the plaster is aged as you would expect. This technique hides the flaws of the plaster. Also, as others noted, be sure to glue down paper that has loose areas.


    Good luck!

  • Maura White Maura White on Oct 19, 2019

    I would totally try it! Start with a small spot to get the look you want!

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Sep 21, 2023

    Use a dry brush effect or dry sponge.

  • Annie Annie on Sep 22, 2023

    Absolutely! Here's a video that explains how, this method should work over wallpaper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB-ZSyfkizs