Painting over old, outdated wallpaper gives your room a brand new look.
Everything old eventually becomes new again, as it has been said. And that's fine if you are considering shoes, pants or other clothing items. When it comes to your walls, however, waiting for an old finish to come back into style can prove an awfully long wait. Big, flashy patterns or garish colors that looked good yesteryear not only date your home, they influence the other furnishings and the living space's overall appeal as well. There's really only one question when you're living with outdated wallpaper finish -- whether to remove the wallpaper or paint over it.
To Strip or Not to Strip
Professionals agree that removing old wallpaper before painting is always the best wall preparation. The problem is, it can also be a tough job. Factors such as the type of wallpaper, the glue or adhesive used and even how long it has been hanging there influence just how easy it will be to remove. Then you must consider what method of removal you'll use. High-quality chemical strippers make removal a little easier but the task will still be labor-intensive, and it will be messy.
The Problem With Painting Over Wallpaper
As frustrating and time-consuming as removing wallpaper is, one fact remains: improperly painted wallpaper looks awful. Ridges along seams, textures and improperly glued portions of wallpaper cause problems with a paint overlay. In addition, frayed and peeling edges will only grow more troublesome after painting. All too easily your new paint job can crack, peel, show the color or design of the paper underneath, or simply refuse to stick. The problem is worse if you use the wrong type of paint.
Choose Oil-Based Paint
There are two basic types of interior paint: latex and oil-based -- sometimes called alkyd paint. While latex or water-based paint is generally considered the all-around favorite for interiors, allowing surfaces underneath to breath, discouraging the growth of mold and proving easier to apply and completely nonflammable, it's the wrong paint for covering wallpaper. The reason is simple -- latex paint contains water.
The Reason Explained
Every paint delivers pigment -- color -- through a vehicle or base. While latex uses water, oil-based paint uses a hydrocarbon vehicle -- literally oil. Water easily soaks through most wallpaper material, encouraging the paper to bubble or blister as well as promoting bleed-through of stains or colors. In contrast, oils do not penetrate the wallpaper. Instead, oil coats the top of the wallpaper and forms a barrier to any transference. Thus it literally blocks the wallpaper, while latex soaks through.
Preparation Is Key
The best paint will disappoint without proper wall preparation. Washing over the wall with warm, soapy water or a mixture of trisodium phosphate and water removes any oil or debris. Inspecting the wall, looking for and removing loose areas or gluing tears and frayed edges in place is crucial to avoid ridges or later peeling. Experts also recommend sanding over the surface to encourage the paint to bond with the wall. Textured wallpaper or seams benefit from a light layer of joint compound, called spackle, before sanding. Finally, application of a stain-blocking oil-based primer is essential. It not only stretches your paint, allowing you to paint fewer coats, but it helps prevent bleed-through. Take your time in preparing your wallpapered wall and spend the money on a quality product to produce a great paint job.
Related posts
Painting over a red wall is not as hard as it may seem.Changing the color of a room can prove to be a difficult task if the original color is intense or dark. If you're staring at a red wall and a...
Paint stores often offer a table of inexpensive custom-mixed "accident" colors.Paint is hands-down the cheapest way of changing, brightening up or customizing your kids' bedroom walls. T...
You can restore a white wall to its original appearance with the right mix of prep, primer and paint.Paint is all about cover-ups, but bright red aerosol paint presents a challenge that many conve...
Replacing old paint can spruce up your garage walls.Painting the walls in any room can set the mood and d cor for that space. This is no different for the garage, which is often the most used entr...
Painting straight lines on an accent wall may be easier than you think.Accent walls can really change the look of a room and can be colored to complement your decor. Straight lines are critical fo...
