Yes, you can paint over painted lining paper if it is in good condition, but it requires proper preparation and multiple coats for the best finish.
If your existing painted lining paper is firmly attached and free from damage like tears, bubbles, or peeling edges, you can refresh the look with a new coat of paint. Simply painting the new colour directly onto the old can lead to poor coverage or adhesion issues, so a specific process is recommended.
Steps to Paint Over Painted Lining Paper
Painting over an existing painted surface, especially textured lining paper, involves a few key stages to ensure a smooth and durable finish.
1. Assess the Condition
- Check the Surface: Before you begin, thoroughly inspect the painted lining paper. Ensure it is stable, flat against the wall, and without any loose areas. Painting over damaged paper will likely result in a poor finish that may require more significant repair or stripping later.
- Clean the Walls: Clean the painted surface to remove any dirt, grease, or grime that could affect paint adhesion. A mild detergent solution and a damp cloth work well, followed by rinsing and allowing the wall to dry completely.
2. Apply Primer/Undercoat
A crucial step when painting over any existing paint, particularly on lining paper, is applying a suitable primer.
- Why Prime? Primer helps the new paint adhere better to the old surface and provides a uniform base colour, which is especially important when changing colours.
- Choose a Light-Coloured Primer: According to the reference, you will need to use a light-coloured primer/undercoat before you apply your top coat. This helps in covering the previous colour and provides a brighter base for the new paint, improving the final colour's vibrancy and reducing the number of top coats needed.
3. Apply Top Coats
Once the primer is dry according to the manufacturer's instructions, you can apply your chosen top coat paint.
- Coverage Varies: Bear in mind you may still need 3 top coats to completely cover the old colour, but that does depend on the paint you are using. The quality of the paint, the colour change (e.g., painting light over dark), and the texture of the lining paper all influence how many coats are required.
- Allow Drying Time: Ensure each coat is fully dry before applying the next to achieve the best finish and adhesion.
Key Considerations for Painting Over Lining Paper
Here's a summary of the essentials:
| Step | Action | Purpose | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Check lining paper condition | Ensure stability & look for damage | Only paint if in good condition. |
| Cleaning | Wash the walls | Remove dirt/grease for adhesion | Allow to dry completely. |
| Priming | Apply a light-coloured primer/undercoat | Improve adhesion and provide a base colour | Essential step. |
| Top Coats | Apply new paint | Achieve the desired colour and finish | May need 3 coats depending on paint & colour. |
- Paint Quality: Using a high-quality paint often provides better coverage, potentially reducing the number of top coats needed.
- Colour Change: Painting a significantly different colour (e.g., dark to light or vice versa) will almost certainly require more coats than painting a similar shade.
By following these steps, starting with a light-coloured primer, and being prepared to apply multiple top coats, you can successfully paint over existing painted lining paper to refresh your walls.
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