​​Painting Over Wallpaper

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Painting over wallpaper is an easy way to achieve a fresh look.  You don't necessarily have to remove your old wallpaper to paint your walls a different color.  

Removing wallpaper especially if it's been on the walls for years, can cause unexpected damage to your walls.  But if it's in good condition and has no signs of adhesion failure, there's no reason to invest a lot of time and effort in removing it before painting your walls.  Also, by leaving the wallpaper in place, your walls will stay in their current condition, and you'll be able to start painting without delay.

Prep Before Painting

It's vital to prepare your walls carefully before painting.  Follow these simple steps to ensure the best results:

     - Start by replacing any damaged sections and adding adhesion to loose pieces to minimize the chance the paper will fail.

     - 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.

     - 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 too noticeable.

     - Apply a coat of oil-based primer to the entire surface of the walls before painting.  This helps seal the adhesive within the paper and          away from the moisture in the paint.

​     - The wallpaper is now ready for painting.  You can use a quality paint product.

The idea of painting a room can sometimes be intimidating, but with these 5 easy steps, you'll see how simple it is to get great results.  The correct sequence of steps is the key to giving any room a quick and refreshing paint makeover.  Tip: Start with the ceiling first and then paint the walls.

Step 1 - Clean Ceiling and Walls

Remove dust, dirt, and grease spots (which can ruin a smooth finish) with water, a little mild dishwashing detergent, and a cellulose sponge.  Rinse ceiling and walls with clean water to remove the soap residue.

Step 2 - Cut In Around Edges

Beginning at the corner of the room, use a 50mm or 60mm trim brush to "cut in", applying a 8cm strip of coating along the perimeter where the wall and ceiling meet.

Cut in a section at a time, alternating between cutting in and painting the ceiling to maintain a wed edge and prevent a visible line between the cut-in area and the rest of the ceiling.

Step 3 - Rolling The Ceiling

Before you begin painting the ceiling, remove excess paint on the roller by slowly rolling it back and forth over the ridges of the paint tray.

Start painting near the corner of the room, blending the coating into the ceiling line painted previously.  Paint across the width of the ceiling, rather than the length, and make sure to roll in a smooth motion across your body, rather than along your body, to avoid straining your neck and back.

Step 4 - Painting The Walls

Once your ceiling is dry, return to the spot where you began painting.  Use a trim brush to carefully cut in along the wall ceiling line.  Extend out two or three inches from windows, doors, and moldings.  Once you've cut in around an entire wall area, use a roller to fill in the field.

For efficiency, start in the corner of a wall and roll on a three by three foot W pattern, then fill it in without lifting the roller. 

Continue in sections until you're finished.  Paint one wall at a time.

Step 5 - Painting The Trim

Once the walls are completely dry, place painter's blue tape where the trim meets the wall.  Paint the moldings, baseboard and the door and window frames with a two inch angled brush.  When painting your trim, paint the tops of the doors and windows first and work your way down so that you can remove any runs as you go.  Paint your baseboards.

How To Paint a Room In 5 Easy Steps

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