Let’s talk about painting over existing wallpaper. Yes, it can be done.
Before starting, it’s important to have all the necessary equipment. Here’s what you’ll need.
Of course, the first step is paint. Check with the paint store to know how much you will need for the size of the room you are painting. A little extra is good — a little shy is not. You’ll also need primer, painter’s tape, plastic disposable drip cloths, rollers and brushes, paint trays and texture if you are going to texture the walls. Aside from the usual painting supplies, one additional necessity is wallpaper touch-up glue that comes in a tube and is available at home stores.
A little more prep work needs to be done, too. If there are any seams in the wallpaper that are a bit lifted, you need to reglue them. Check all corners and seams to be sure all the paper is securely attached to the wall. You do not want the paint to soak in behind the paper or the paper will start to come off the wall.
Next, apply a quick-dry primer. You want the primer to dry quickly so it doesn’t absorb into the paper, causing it to possibly detach from the wall if it gets soaked. If the wallpaper is vinyl, you will need to use an oil-based primer.
The reason for the primer is twofold: to create a solid base so the paint won’t absorb into the paper and to stop the wallpaper design from bleeding through the paint. Let the primer dry completely.
The instructions on the can give an approximate drying time. You can take this time to wash out the rollers with mild soap and water and set them out to dry.
If you want the wall to have texture, this is when you apply it. Once the texture is applied, seal it again with more primer before starting the paint.
Remix the paint. If it has been sitting for a long period, you should take it to the paint store to remix.
Start with the edges and corners, which are painted with a brush. Use a very steady hand. This is where a good tape job pays off. Don’t overload your paint tray. This can cause spills and unnecessary messes.
Roll the color onto the wall using a zigzag pattern. Let it dry. You will probably need two coats of paint.
Good ventilation is necessary, so open the windows and leave them open to rid the room of the paint fumes.
Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of “Mystery of Color.”
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