I want to paint over wallpaper... will that work ok?

Debbie Holmes
by Debbie Holmes
I have 3 rooms that are completely wallpapered. One of them has peeling paper, so I know I have to remove that room. The other 2 rooms the wallpaper is not coming off and seems to be in perfect condition. If I paint over it, will there be any issues or should I use a Kilz cover before I paint directly on it?

  5 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on May 17, 2018

    It is not a recommended practice.Down the road regardless primer or not it will peel.

  • Reggie Reggie on May 17, 2018

    You can paint over it, but the seams will show and it is possie that some of the wall Paper will bubble. I've painted over wallpaper before that was put over plaster walls. I was not happy with the outcome I would remove the paper if possible. If you paint it, use primer to keep the pattern from bleeding through.

  • Pri29036176 Pri29036176 on May 17, 2018

    The moisture from any prime or pain could seep into the current paper and there may be excessive peeling. I would suggest removal to avoid any future issues. Wallpaper is porous and would absorb the moisture from prime or paint. Good luck.

  • Chubby58 Chubby58 on May 17, 2018

    In my other home they painted over the wallpaper and I could see it through the paint. Maybe they didn’t prime it first, so I put more wallpaper over that, until I moved, then I took it off and had to have a professional come in and get the glue off and redo my walls. It was a nightmare.

  • Laurie Kilts Laurie Kilts on May 29, 2018

    NO! Take the wallpaper down no matter how big of a hassle! My college aged daughter thought she'd help me paint and while I was at work painted over the wallpapered wall that I'd planned on removing, it's horrible! after years went by I was wanting to repaint and had planned on removing the painted over wallpaper, unfortunately, the paint along with the wallpaper and whatever adhesive the previous owners had used created a chemical reaction and removing the wallpaper at this point was impossible and would have destroyed my wall costing thousands in repairs! I live on a fixed income and definitely couldn't afford this. So, I sanded all the seams, mudded them to help disguise and re-sanded. I then used a very expensive, good quality paint w/primer and just painted over all. It looks okay, but not up to my standards or desires! Oh how I wish I had gotten the chance to remove the wallpaper to begin with! If you want nice professional looking walls, then absolutely remove the wallpaper! It's really not that hard to do and even if you hire the job out, you'll save yourself time, money, stress and obtain the aesthetically pleasing results you desire in the long-run. Best of luck!