Paint is one of the most versatile tools in a homeowner’s arsenal. It can be used to cover up imperfections, add character, or even change the entire look and feel of your home. However, painting over wallpaper can be tricky because you’re essentially dealing with two surfaces at once and sometimes if you don’t know what you’re doing it can end up looking like a mess! But don’t worry; we have some tips that will ensure an amazing result every time. Read this entire post until the end.
What You Need?
1. Paint
2. Liquid laundry detergent
3. Water
4. Masking tape
5. Sponge paint roller (if you are painting over wallpaper)
6. Drop cloth or tarp to protect surfaces from overspray and drips of paint
7. Brush, if needed for touch-ups after the first coat is dry
8. Newspaper or paper towels to catch any excess liquid spills during the project; these can be used as a quick blotter for stains on furniture, too!
How to Paint Over Wallpaper
The first step is to wet the wallpaper with the mixture you made. Paint over the wet wallpaper with a roller brush or paint brush, making sure to smooth out any bubbles or lumps. The next step is to let it dry in order for it to seal and prevent peeling. Lastly, cover any spots left by removing excess water with a rag or paper towel and painting over them as before. It’s that easy!
How to Get the Best Results?
The wax in the wallpaper will help make the surface repel the first coat of paint; this will prevent streaks. Don’t go too crazy with it! Too much wax can make the paint look dull and cause problems if you need to do a second coat.
After the first coat dries, do another to make it look smooth and even. You can use rag or paper towel to quickly blot out a stain, or if you have brush marks. Once it’s dry (which may take up to 24 hours), apply your second coat. This will make the wallpaper and paint match perfectly, even if they were a different color originally.
If you’re worried about accidentally over-waxing your wallpaper, you can make sure the paint will stick to it by using a pre-mixed primer instead. Primer is a lot easier to use, anyway it won’t drip and is simple to wipe up with a rag!
If your wallpaper has been pre-distressed, you may want to skip this step. Distressing is a process in which the wallpaper already has a worn appearance, if you don’t distress the wallpaper before painting, you’ll lose some of that look.
This step is one of the most crucial in ensuring your paint job doesn’t look messy and uneven. Too much wax and the paint won’t stick, too little and you’ll have a lot of trouble getting it to stick. To get it just right, you’ll need some practice!
Conclusion
We hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. Painting over wallpaper is a great way to update your home without having to completely redecorate. It’s also a cheap DIY project that will make your room feel brand-new in no time!