Bring up the topic of painting over wallpaper and you'll likely get a mixed reaction. For some it's seen as cheating and never recommended, for others it's considered a viable option and one that saves time and money.
Stripping wallpaper can be a hassle, but if you're looking for a pristine paint finish when painting a wall, is it the only real choice for a professional finish?
We asked DIY and paint experts what they really think about painting over wallpaper. Is it an absolute no, or are in fact there circumstances when it might be the most sensible option and, if so, how can you make sure you get the finish you want.
Can you paint over wallpaper?
As you're probably anticipating, there isn't necessarily a fixed answer regarding painting over wallpaper. As with most decisions you need to make when renovating a house, it will come down to what you're dealing with.
"In short, painting over wallpaper should be decided on a case-by-case basis," confirms Alex Peters, cost expert at Checkatrade.
"You can technically always paint over wallpaper, but it can make the task more challenging and lead to an imperfect finish. If you do choose to paint over wallpaper, you will need to take extra care, particularly when it comes to preparation, and perhaps consider hiring a professional decorator," he advises.
The key questions to ask yourself?
"Is the wallpaper in good condition and securely fixed to the wall," says Nick Parsons, technical manager at Harris. "Painting over damaged or peeling wallpaper can cause an uneven finish," which can lead to time-consuming and the cost of extra repairs in the long run.
There is no doubt that painting over wallpaper is much easier than removing it. But if you are a perfectionist and want the best possible finish then removing wallpaper and starting from scratch will usually be the best choice.
However, if you have good condition wallpaper in place and just want a change of colour then painting over wallpaper is the obvious choice. You can do this several times before you will finally need to get back to the bare wall and re-paper and paint.
Personally, I would always start again, but it is very much a personal judgement call.
Alex Peters is a specialist cost expert and content writer for Checkatrade.
With a career at Harris Brushes stretching back more than 35 years, Nick Parsons is the company’s Technical Manager. Nick’s experience and product understanding informs the evolution of all Harris products, from benchmarking to insight, research and development.
When might painting over wallpaper be a good idea?
With every DIY project will come questions, so is there ever an occasion when painting over wallpaper might in fact be more beneficial for your walls than removing it?
"As a rule of thumb, it’s best to remove wallpaper before painting. Doing so makes the job much easier and helps prevent unexpected challenges. However, there are several factors to consider, including the condition of the walls underneath, any existing wallpaper, your budget, and the age of your home," says Alex Peters.
"While removing wallpaper usually gives the smoothest base, in older homes it can sometimes damage delicate plaster," explains Nick Parsons. "In those cases, painting over wallpaper is a practical solution that helps protect the wall while achieving a fresh new look."
However, what you must ask yourself before doing so is if you know why the walls underneath are not in a good conditon, adds Alex.
"It can of course be more tempting to paint over wallpaper in older homes, especially when removing it could cause the plaster (or even the walls) to crack. Painting over the wallpaper might seem the best option for preventing further damage in the short term.
"However," he warns, "this approach often only hides the issue rather than resolving it, so it’s usually recommended to seek professional advice before proceeding."
If your walls, for example, are crumbling because of issues with damp, this is something you will certainly need to get fixed rather than taking the route of painting over wallpaper. Painting over damp without resolving the underlying problem will purely provide you with a fix that only goes appearance deep.
When not to paint over wallpaper
As well as never using painting over wallpaper as a quick fix to problematic walls, are there other situations when you should avoid it?
"Avoid painting over textured, vinyl or foil wallpapers, as these can prevent paint from adhering properly," advises Nick Parsons. Plus, painting over textured wallpaper may provide you with a change of colour, but it won't get rid of the texture, so won't be a solution if you don't like the finish.
"If you do decide to paint over vinyl wallpaper, applying an oil-based or shellac-based primer first to seal the surface will help stop the wallpaper paste from loosening," notes Nick.
And, don't assume that painting over old wallpaper will make your walls look any better, adds Alex Peters.
"Old, peeling or torn wallpaper doesn’t provide an even base for paint, and generally leads to poor results."
How to paint over wallpaper
Taking all of the above into consideration, if you still feel that painting over wallpaper will give you the finish you want, what is the best way to do it?
The first question you need to ask is what type of wallpaper is currently on your walls. Is it lining paper? Is it embossed anaglypta-style wallpaper? Is it vinyl wallpaper? Is it flock wallpaper? Does it have a strong contrasting pattern? Has it been painted over previously?
If you have lining paper, or embossed anaglypta-style wallpaper that has been painted previously all you need to do is get your new emulsion and paint over the top of the old colour – if there isn’t too big a contrast. Don’t forget to clean and prep first.
However, if you have a wallpaper with a vinyl finish, has been glossed previously, or has a heavy pattern, simply painting straight over the paper with emulsion won’t work. On vinyl you’ll get a poor finish that won't last and it will take numerous coats to cover a patterned paper. You’ll need a specialist undercoat/primer to make sure you hide any patterns and that the top coat adheres to the wall properly.
The best paint for the job is Zinsser Wallpaper Cover-Up paint from Amazon. This is an all-in-one primer that covers strong wallpaper prints, blocks any stains that may be lurking and helps prevent blistering.
But the real bonus is that once you have added the primer/undercoat you can paint over with whatever colour emulsion you want. Dulux has its own primer and undercoat for wallpaper that is cheaper than Zinsser, but in our opinion isn’t as good.
Tools for painting over wallpaper
- Paint
- Brush
- Roller
- Roller extension pole
- Step ladder
- Paint tray
- Paint kettle
- Dust sheets
- Decorators caulk
- Sugar soap
Painting over wallpaper requires a couple of extra steps when it comes to how to paint a room, however, other elements, such as painting a ceiling and painting skirting boards, can be done in just the same way.
1. Prepare the wallpaper
"Before beginning, check that all seams are firmly stuck down, fill any gaps and lightly sand for a smooth base," says Nick Parsons.
If you have any loose wallpaper that has come away from the wall use a specialist adhesive like Solvite Wallpaper Repair Adhesive from Amazon to stick down.
When dry, wash down the wallpaper with sugar soap so you have a clean, grease-free surface to paint on. Finally, if needed, you can add decorators caulk around all edges to help stop any wallpaper peeling.
2. Apply primer/undercoat
Once the wallpaper is clean, dry and fully prepped it’s time to add the primer/undercoat. Use a two-inch brush to cut in at the ceiling, skirting boards and corners to create a narrow – approximately two inch – border. Then get a paint tray and apply the primer /undercoat with a short pile roller. Go back over with the roller using a light touch to ensure a smooth surface and leave to dry
3. Add the top coat
Finally, add your top coat. Follow the same instructions as in the previous step to apply a top coat. Typically, you will need two coats to fully cover the wallpaper and get a decent finish. Remember to let the first coat dry as instructed before adding the final coat.
If you’ve decided that painting over your wallpaper isn't an option, then you will need to strip off the wallpaper that’s already there. This can be a relatively straightforward job or a really tricky, time-consuming job and you won’t really know until you get started.
If you really don’t like the wallpaper and want something different on your wall you can put up internal timber cladding or try a wall panelling idea – both ideal solutions for covering unwanted wallpaper.
