What Kind of Paint Do You Use to Cover Wall Paper?

To Strip or Not to Strip

• Professionals agree that removing old wallpaper before painting is always the best wall preparation. The problem is, it can also be a tough job. Factors such as the type of wallpaper, the glue or adhesive used and even how long it has been hanging there influence just how easy it will be to remove. Then you must consider what method of removal you'll use. High-quality chemical strippers make removal a little easier but the task will still be labor-intensive, and it will be messy.

The Problem With Painting Over Wallpaper

• As frustrating and time-consuming as removing wallpaper is, one fact remains: improperly painted wallpaper looks awful. Ridges along seams, textures and improperly glued portions of wallpaper cause problems with a paint overlay. In addition, frayed and peeling edges will only grow more troublesome after painting. All too easily your new paint job can crack, peel, show the color or design of the paper underneath, or simply refuse to stick. The problem is worse if you use the wrong type of paint.

Choose Oil-Based Paint

• There are two basic types of interior paint: latex and oil-based -- sometimes called alkyd paint. While latex or water-based paint is generally considered the all-around favorite for interiors, allowing surfaces underneath to breath, discouraging the growth of mold and proving easier to apply and completely nonflammable, it's the wrong paint for covering wallpaper. The reason is simple -- latex paint contains water.

The Reason Explained

• Every paint delivers pigment -- color -- through a vehicle or base. While latex uses water, oil-based paint uses a hydrocarbon vehicle -- literally oil. Water easily soaks through most wallpaper material, encouraging the paper to bubble or blister as well as promoting bleed-through of stains or colors. In contrast, oils do not penetrate the wallpaper. Instead, oil coats the top of the wallpaper and forms a barrier to any transference. Thus it literally blocks the wallpaper, while latex soaks through.

Preparation Is Key

• The best paint will disappoint without proper wall preparation. Washing over the wall with warm, soapy water or a mixture of trisodium phosphate and water removes any oil or debris. Inspecting the wall, looking for and removing loose areas or gluing tears and frayed edges in place is crucial to avoid ridges or later peeling. Experts also recommend sanding over the surface to encourage the paint to bond with the wall. Textured wallpaper or seams benefit from a light layer of joint compound, called spackle, before sanding. Finally, application of a stain-blocking oil-based primer is essential. It not only stretches your paint, allowing you to paint fewer coats, but it helps prevent bleed-through. Take your time in preparing your wallpapered wall and spend the money on a quality product to produce a great paint job.