Painting Over Wallpaper

lunaassoc

Currently bidding on painting a house that requires painting over wallpaper.

1. Should it be primed,texture, and then painted
2. Or can it just be primed then painted.
3. What is a good product to use.

Thanks,

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Dave from Big D

ProWallGuy

I don't ever paint over paper. It's too much of a risk for failure down the road. But, if I had to do it, I'd prime it with an oil primer, like BIN, or Ben Moore Alkyd Underbody. Not KILZ! First, cut out all the loose areas, or reglue them back down. Then prime. Then float out seams and otheri mperfections. Reprime the rpairs with an acrylic primer. Then paint. I'd be worried the weight of a texture would help it to pull away as it dried.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

Teetorbilt

Don't do it! Strip the walls and prime.

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lunaassoc

Thanks for the advice. I'll just need to float the seams.

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Dave from Big D

slickshift

I'd also recommend stripping
If at all possible

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Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

copusbuilder

Hmmm. My painters have been going over paper for years with no problems. Of course only if the paper will not come off with reasonable effort.
Loose areas remove and float, float seams. Prime with a quality oil based primer, Texture, Prime again and topcoat as needed.

If you are goint to damage the wallboard removing the paper you will do more damage IMO.

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AkA Richard Cranium

ProWallGuy

I agree that is the way most trades do it now, but it completely screws the HO and me if they ever want flat walls or paper again.

BTW, out of the 1000's of rolls I've removed over the years, less than 1% were un-removable. With proper knowledge of how to remove it correctly, it usually isn't a problem.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

slickshift

I've by no means done 1000s, but the last one I can think of I couldn't remove was years and years ago
It was textured paper direct to drywall

I've got a bathroom coming up that was done with shelf paper
I was still able to remove my test section and submit a bid
I don't expect any problems
....though if I do run into any expect a call PWG!

lol

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

ProWallGuy

Thats what I'm here for. Helping you help yourself.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

slickshift

MY EYES!!!! I'M BLIND!!!
Man that's scarier than the pic of me in the crotch pocket

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

Teetorbilt

Any water based paints may cause the paper to loosen and bubble. To get satisfactory results would involve priming with an oil or schellac primer, sanding and primering a second time when all is flat, filled and smooth.

IMHO, it's less expensive to strip.

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Albert Einstein

copusbuilder

That would be a hell of a trip charge from Mo to Tx

I have tried everything on many removals and their are times when it just isn't feasible. Unless you have some trick up your sleeve I think you would have said the same thing.
Why could you not sand and have smooth walls or re-paper? Usually we try to match the texture in the rest of the home.

Not trying to be nasty or inflammatory but I need your trade secret

But the guy is doing a job that requires bidding on painting over paper and he is from the bid "D". That means it is almost certain that the wallpaper was installed with elmers glue stolen from the framers and applied directly over new wallboard by an illegal alein.

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AkA Richard Cranium

ProWallGuy

Copus, my post wasn't necessarily directed at you, just a general statement across the board. I have heard horror stories form the land of immigrants about rolls upon rolls hung with no primer on bare drywall, so it could be more prevelant in other places than StL.

Thing is, there is no real trade secret persay. Its probably the fact that I am a paperhanger, and know all the different types of w/c, substrates they are printed on, primers, pastes, etc. When I do a removal bid, I always test a spot to determine how it was put up, and what primers/pastes were used. I use that info to make an educated guess on the best way to make it come off. Different substrates and primer/paste combos require different methods.

Best trick i can tell you is the 'wrap the room' method. Protect the floor well, and soak the wall. Cut some thin mil plastic, and stick it to the wall. This will keep the moisture in instead of evaporating rapidly. After 15 minutes or so, pull back the plastic, and try to peel a spot. if its not ready, soak it again, and reapply the plastic. Be warned though, this method has a window of opportunity. Leave it on too long, and the drywall will start to delaminate. Trial and error, and keep good records on what the w/c was, what worked to take it off, and how long it took.

BTW, if you remove the w/c, don't forget to wash off the paste too.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

copusbuilder

I wasn't offended or felt the post was directed at me.
I wholeheartedly agree with removal when possible....just that here sizing is pretty much an unknown.
But the customer is happy because they can still get paper hung for $9.00 per roll
Illegal immigration is really having an effect on the craftsman. I see them all leaving or retiring because they have had enough.
It is troubling when you hear a customer bragging to you because they had a room painted for $160 and they think the guy is great. When you look around you see every roll mark and cut in....

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AkA Richard Cranium

ProWallGuy

Holy crap! They must live in a van, down by the river.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

copusbuilder

Boy do I remember that line

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AkA Richard Cranium