Tired of staring at the dated, dingy wallpaper in your apartment? If you want to spruce up your space but you don’t want to spend days scraping and stripping off layers of wallpaper — which could potentially damage the sheetrock behind it — you might want to cover it with a fresh coat of paint instead.
Painting over wallpaper can make the room look worse if you don’t do it properly, though, so here are some expert tips and tricks to get a fresh, new look for your space.
Can you paint directly on the wallpaper?
Most of the time, you can paint right over wallpaper, as long as the walls and the paper itself are in good condition. Be aware that textured wallpaper will show through even after you paint.
You should not paint over some wallpaper, especially if it’s badly damaged, missing pieces or made of fabric-backed vinyl. Test a small corner: If the paper is easy to remove, it’s not a great idea to paint over it, but if it’s stuck well in place, it’s probably a great candidate for a makeover.
However, before getting started, you should always first check the terms of your lease to make sure you’re allowed to make changes to the walls of your rental unit. If the lease doesn’t mention home improvement or it’s not clear whether you can paint, ask your landlord or property manager whether you can paint.
The tools and supplies you need
Once the landlord has approved your project plans, gather the following materials. You’ll need:
- Safety goggles
- Gloves
- Mask
- Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
- Sponge and bucket
- Paintbrushes
- Paint trays
- Paint rollers
- Oil-based primer
- Oil-based paint
- Drop cloths
- Painters tape
- Wallpaper seam adhesive or spackle
- Sandpaper
How to prepare the walls
The most time-consuming part of this project? The prep work. It might be tempting to skip some of these steps, but if you want to paint over wallpaper successfully, it’s worth your while.
First, take a good look at the wallpaper itself, especially the seams where it meets the floor and ceiling: Is it peeling anywhere? If so, glue those sections down with some wallpaper adhesive and allow it to dry. Or, you can even out seams by applying some drywall spackle, making sure to allow it to dry before sanding smooth. After all, there’s no point painting over wallpaper if it’s coming off the walls because the primer and paint can seep underneath, making the edges look worse than before.
If the wallpaper has an ugly texture you don’t want to see after you paint, there’s more work involved. You’ll have to sand the whole wall smooth with a palm or orbital sander, then, vacuum the dust off. Or, cover the paper with a thin coat of joint compound, which will smooth out the surface.
Do you need to clean the walls?
For best results, especially if the wallpaper is in the kitchen, you should wash your walls with trisodium phosphate (TSP), which will remove any grime or oil so your paint will stick to the wallpaper. Because TSP is so strong, you’ll need to mix about a half-cup of it with two gallons of water to dilute the solution. Make sure you open a window and wear safety glasses and gloves.
Use a sponge to apply the TSP vertically so you don’t catch any loose seams, and be careful not to soak the walls with too much solution — that could re-activate the wallpaper glue and cause the paper to peel off. Allow the walls to dry, then, wipe them down with a barely damp cloth to remove the chemical residue.
Once your walls are clean, apply painter’s tape along the moldings, trim and baseboards.
What is the best primer for painting over wallpaper?
Because water-based products can reactivate wallpaper glue, you should always use an oil-based primer to seal your surface and ready it for paint. Always leave a window open for ventilation, because oil-based products smell very strong. Use a paintbrush designed for oil-based products to cut in the edges and corners, followed by a paint roller to apply the coat of primer.
If the wallpaper you’re trying to cover is very dark, consider getting your primer tinted gray, which will give you better coverage. Make sure to allow plenty of time for the primer-sealer to dry before painting over the wallpaper — check the can for instructions. If you can, let it dry overnight so it cures completely.
What kind of paint do you use to paint over wallpaper?
Just like the primer, oil-based paint is the best choice for wallpaper projects. Opt for a finish that doesn’t have a high sheen, such as satin, so you won’t see the imperfections once you’re done painting.
Plan on doing a couple of coats of paint to cover the wallpaper, especially if it has a busy pattern or if it’s very dark-colored. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly before rolling on the next one. It’s best to work in a W shape with your paint roller, crisscrossing the wall instead of going up and down, which can leave lines.
Some paint companies offer specific tips for painting over wallpaper with their products, so once you decide on a brand, visit their website and follow their instructions.
If you’ve done the prep, you’ll get great results
Painting over wallpaper is a good solution if you don’t want the time-consuming job of removing old wallpaper and damaging the plaster or drywall behind it. And as long as you prepare your surfaces properly and use the right tools for the job, you can easily transform your space for very little money.
You should keep any leftover paint in case you have to do touch-ups: Clean off your paint can and tap the lid securely in place. Store paint cans in a cool spot, where it won’t freeze or get too warm, such as your storage locker.
