To effectively cover wallpaper when painting, the primary steps involve proper preparation, priming with the right product, and applying sufficient coats of paint. It is crucial to properly prime the wallpaper to prevent issues like bubbling or peeling before applying paint.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
Preparing the Area
Before you start painting over wallpaper, ensure the room and the walls are ready. This involves protecting adjacent surfaces and ensuring the wallpaper is clean and intact.
- Clear the Room: Remove furniture or move it to the center of the room and cover it with drop cloths.
- Protect Floors: Lay down drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect your flooring from spills and drips.
- Clean the Wallpaper: Lightly clean the wallpaper surface to remove dust, dirt, or grease that could interfere with primer adhesion. Use a damp, non-abrasive cloth.
- Check for Damage: Inspect the wallpaper for any loose seams, tears, or bubbles. These should ideally be repaired or removed before painting.
Priming the Wallpaper
Applying the correct primer is perhaps the most critical step when painting over wallpaper. The primer creates a barrier that seals the wallpaper, prevents stains or patterns from bleeding through, and provides a surface that paint can adhere to effectively.
- Choose an Oil-Based Primer: Based on best practices for covering wallpaper, it is recommended to choose an oil-based primer. Oil-based primers are excellent at sealing porous surfaces and blocking potential water stains or issues caused by water-based products reacting with the wallpaper glue.
- Apply Primer Evenly: Apply a thin, even coat of the oil-based primer according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Allow Adequate Drying Time: Let the primer dry completely. Check the product label for recommended drying times, which can vary significantly.
Painting Over Primed Wallpaper
Once the primer is fully dry, you can proceed with painting.
- Protect Edges and Molding: To achieve clean lines and avoid a mess, make sure you cover edges and molding with painter's tape before you begin painting. Press the tape down firmly to ensure a good seal.
- Apply Paint: Start applying your chosen wall paint. For the best coverage and to fully obscure the wallpaper underneath, recommend you use two coats of paint or more. The exact number of coats may depend on the color you are painting and the color/pattern of the wallpaper.
- Allow Drying Time Between Coats: Let the first coat of paint dry completely before applying the second coat. This ensures proper adhesion and coverage.
- Final Drying: After applying the final coat, make sure you leave plenty of time for it to dry before moving back into the room or putting furniture back in place. Adequate drying and curing time is essential for the paint's durability.
- Remove Painter's Tape: Carefully remove the painter's tape while the final coat of paint is still slightly wet (or after it's fully dry, depending on the paint/tape instructions) for the cleanest lines.
Summary Table: Steps for Painting Over Wallpaper
| Step | Action | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Clean walls, protect surfaces (floors, furniture). | Ensure wallpaper is intact; fix any loose seams. |
| Priming | Apply oil-based primer. | Choose an oil-based primer. Allow to dry completely. |
| Protection | Apply painter's tape to edges and molding. | Cover edges and molding with painter's tape. |
| Painting (Coats) | Apply paint. | Use two coats of paint or more. |
| Drying Time | Allow adequate drying between coats and after the final coat. | Leave plenty of time for it to dry. |
| Finishing | Remove tape carefully. | Avoid pulling paint off the wall. |
By following these steps, focusing on the right primer, and ensuring proper protection and drying times, you can successfully paint over wallpaper.
