A lot of homeowners in Woodinville, WA reach a point where their wallpaper stops feeling charming and starts feeling like the room is stuck in another decade. If you’ve been wondering how to paint over wallpaper without damaging your walls, you’re on the right track. When the wallpaper is in fair shape, painting over it can refresh a room faster than you might expect.
Instead of stripping layers, patching drywall, and sanding until your arms feel like noodles, the right prep work can create a clean surface for a new acrylic paint color. This guide walks through every part of the process in a friendly, simple way, much like the sample copy you shared. It feels approachable but still gives you the details you need to understand what the work involves.
Key Takeaways:
- Painting over wallpaper works well when the paper is secure, dry, and not peeling.
- Oil-based primer is needed to seal the wallpaper and support acrylic or latex paint.
- Seams must be taped, skimmed, and lightly sanded so they don’t show through the paint.
- Two coats of primer and two coats of paint create a smooth, long-lasting finish.
Why Painting Over Wallpaper Is Sometimes the Better Option
Not every wall can handle wallpaper removal. Some older homes have drywall that tears easily, especially if moisture from a steamer hits the paper. That damage can cost more time and money than homeowners expect.
Painting over wallpaper is often the smarter choice when the paper is firmly attached and not peeling across large areas. It also makes it easier to shift to a cleaner color scheme without dealing with messy glue, exposed seams, or broken drywall paper. Many people choose this route when they want a new eggshell or satin finish without rebuilding the wall beneath it.
If you’re planning a color change, understanding how paint behaves during drying helps you choose the right shade. Our breakdown on does paint dry darker or lighter is helpful when you want predictable results.
Signs Your Wallpaper Can Be Painted
Before anyone starts the process of how to paint over wallpaper, they check the condition of the surface. Professionals look for a few clear signals that the wallpaper is stable enough to stay up.
Here’s what usually makes it a good candidate:
- No large bubbles or lifted edges
- No signs of mildew behind the paper
- No moisture rings near windows
- Paper or paper-backed vinyl materials
- Seams that are still tight
If the wallpaper has mold, strong odors, or peeling sections that span whole panels, painting over it will trap those problems under the new coat. That is the kind of situation where removal becomes necessary.
Tools and Materials That Make a Difference
When expert painters approach a project like this, they rely on specific tools that help the paint bond correctly. These are the basics most teams use:
Tools:
- Utility knife
- Flashlight
- Roller and roller covers
- Pole sander with sanding screen
- Screwdriver for removing plate covers
- Lint-free cloths
- Paint tray with liner
Materials:
- Oil-based primer
- Joint compound
- Fiberglass joint tape
- Acrylic paint or latex paint
- Painter tape
- Caulk for small gaps near trim
These materials help with adhesion, smoothing seams, and sealing the wallpaper so it does not react to water-based products.
1: Prepping the Room for a Clean Start
Prep work shapes most of the final look. Even the best coat of high-quality acrylic paint will highlight imperfections if the wall underneath isn’t handled properly.
- Protect the Surroundings: Remove switch plates, outlet covers, picture hooks, and shelves. Tape around trim, windows, baseboards, and any siding edges that meet the wall. This keeps stray paint away from areas you don’t want coated.
- Check for Loose Spots: A flashlight held at an angle helps show bubbles or edges lifting away from the drywall. These areas are trimmed with a utility knife so they don’t cause future peeling.
- Prime the Walls: An oil-based primer locks down the wallpaper and blocks the glue from reacting to moisture. This primer also gives the wall the adhesion needed for the latex or acrylic paint that will follow.
If you’re sorting through color finishes, our guide to sheen finish for each room can help you understand what works best in high-traffic spaces or rooms with windows and moisture.
2: How to Smooth the Wallpaper Seams
Seams are the giveaway that wallpaper is underneath the paint. To make the surface look seamless, painters reinforce and smooth each one.
- Add Joint Tape: Fiberglass joint tape is pressed over every seam from top to bottom. This creates a smooth transition where the wallpaper meets itself.
- Apply Joint Compound: A thin layer of joint compound covers the tape and fills any cuts or removed sections. This must be kept light because thick application leads to heavy sanding later.
- Light Sanding: A pole sander with a fine sanding screen is used to smooth the surface. This step removes ridges and helps the final paint coat sit evenly.
A final wipe with a lint-free cloth removes dust so nothing interferes with primer or paint.
3: Priming Again for a Stronger Base
A second coat of primer helps seal the joint compound and strengthens the first layer. Once everything dries, the wall has a uniform surface ready for color.
This middle step is what separates a flawless finish from a patchy one. Primer creates an even, non-porous surface that keeps the final coat from soaking into the wall unevenly.
4: Painting Over Wallpaper with Precision
When it comes to how to paint over wallpaper, the actual painting stage feels simple because all the detailed prep has already been done.
- Choose the Paint: Acrylic paint and latex paint both work well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. Many Woodinville homeowners choose satin or eggshell because they are easy to clean and look smooth next to trimmed areas.
- Apply the First Coat: Painters cut in around corners and trim, then roll the walls in sections. They work in straight passes to avoid visible roller marks.
- Second Coat for a Finished Look: Once the first layer dries, a second coat adds depth and full coverage. The wallpaper should look invisible by this stage.
If you plan on updating trim next, you can learn about clean trim edges through how to paint trim, which pairs well with a wall refresh.
Common Problems When Steps are Missed
Skipping key steps in how to paint over wallpaper can cause issues that show up immediately or slowly over time. The most common include:
- Seams showing through the paint
- Curling edges
- Bubbles forming under the surface
- Uneven sheen
- Stain bleed-through
- Poor adhesion
Proper priming, seam work, and joint compound application prevent these problems from appearing. It also helps you plan your color scheme, whether you’re refreshing rooms or pairing it with tools like paint color visualizers to preview new ideas.
Ready To Refresh Your Walls In Woodinville?
Knowing how to paint over wallpaper helps you understand why primer, seam work, and proper prep shape the final look. When the wallpaper is secure and treated correctly, you can transform an entire room without fighting with glue or damaging drywall. The right paint, the right sheen, and a steady approach make all the difference in homes throughout Woodinville, WA.
Here is what Lines Painting focuses on for projects like this:
- Careful inspection of the wallpaper condition
- Priming with oil-based products
- Seam repair with joint tape and compound
- Light sanding for smooth adhesion
- Two full coats of acrylic paint
- Clean, sharp edges around trim and windows
If you live in Everett, Stanwood, Mill Creek, WA or the surrounding areas, call us at (425) 534-7117 for a FREE estimate. Our team can refresh your walls with precision and care while protecting the structure underneath.
