Can i prime over wallpaper

That would include wallpaper that is peeling in multiple places, and certain types of wallpaper such as fabric-backed vinyl. But the good news is that these types of wallpaper are fairly easy to remove. In fact, fortunately, the rule of thumb is that the bad candidates for painting over are easy to remove, and the wallpaper that would be difficult to remove is a good candidate for painting over.

So, before deciding to leave the wallpaper in place, try to remove it. Let your success or failure to be your guide. And also consider that while removing wallpaper can be a major hassle, removing wallpaper that has been painted over is an even more major hassle. The bottom line is: Yes, with some exceptions and considerations, you can paint over wallpaper. With a barely damp cloth, wipe the dust and dirt off the walls.

If the walls are greasy and grimy think highly-used kitchen , clean them with a diluted solution of TSP. Look for peeling edges or seams, as these are the weakest areas in terms of adhesion.

Some experts recommend using a thin layer of wallpaper seam adhesive to reattach these loose fragments. Another recommendation is to lift those areas with a thin putty knife, cutting the loose bits away and filling in with spackle to create a level surface, then sanding lightly when completely dry.

With a slightly damp cloth, wipe away dust. Using painters tape, carefully tape off any molding, trim, wainscot, or baseboard you want to protect. No matter which type of topcoat you will be using—oil-based or water-based—you want to use an oil-based primer. An oil-based primer will not do that. Just as with painting, use a brush to cut in the corners and edges, then use a roller to finish the big stretches. Make sure there is plenty of ventilation in the space. Second, leaving the paper in place will allow you to paint your walls much more easily and quickly.

Removing paper is difficult and time-consuming, so many people are eager to skip this task. If you decide that you're going to go ahead and paint over your wallpaper, it's important to prep your walls carefully to ensure the best results possible. Start by securing the paper.

Remove and replace damaged sections and add adhesive to loose pieces to minimize the chance the paper will fall. Add a thin line of clear caulk around the perimeter of the walls, at the joint seam where the paper meets the floor and ceiling. This will help seal the edges and keep the paper from peeling after you've painted [source: Schunck ]. Next, prep your walls carefully. Cover heavily textured paper with a thin coat of joint compound spackle. This material will help smooth out the surface so that the texture won't show through the paint.

Gently sand down the seams of the wallpaper so they're not as noticeable. Apply a coat of oil-based primer to the entire surface of the walls before painting.

This helps seal the adhesive in the paper away from the moisture in the paint. Follow this set of steps for how to paint over wallpaper. Painting over wallpaper successfully requires proper preparation. This may involve the counterintuitive task of repairing or replacing loose or missing sections of the wallpaper.

At the very least, prep work here requires cleaning the walls with trisodium phosphate , a chemical better known as TSP.

TSP is such strong stuff that it must be diluted. Mix it with water in a bucket, aiming for a ratio of one half-cup for every two gallons of water. TSP can be applied with a sponge or even an extra paintbrush. Once the TSP has dried, use a damp but not dripping wet rag to remove the chemical from the wall.

Tread carefully. Too much water and you run the risk of damaging the wall. One way to prevent peeling is to apply an adhesive compound where the wallpaper is most vulnerable—at the seams where it meets the ceiling and floor.