5m3photos / Getty Images
Wallpaper can work magic when you oughta cover up troublesome surfaces.
And wallpaper is far more than just a fix-it material.
Thousands of gorgeouswallpapersoffer patterns and crisp colors that cannot be duplicated with paint.
5m3photos / Getty Images
But wallpaper is less welcome when itstime to remove it.
Traditionalwallpaper is hard to removefrom the wall, requiringspecial liquid removeror wallpaper steamer tools.
If youre able to get the paper, wallpaper glue may remain.
Painting over the glue, rather than removing it, may seem like an inviting idea.
But can you really do this?
If so, are there any precautions you should probably take?
Can You Paint Over Wallpaper Glue?
You may take some precautions that will lock the glue behind a coating of oil-based primer.
But these procedures can take as long or even longer than removing the wallpaper glue.
Typically, these include lightweight non-pasted wallpaper, pre-pasted wallpaper, and vinyl wallpaper.
Wallpaper glue has pronounced tack, yet it also has an initial degree of slip for easy positioning.
Wallpaper glue allows for slight adjustments.
Sanding too hard will abrade the underlying drywall paper, so go easy.
Clean the Wall
Clean off the sanding debris with a brush attachment on a shop vacuum.
Do not clean with water.
Apply Oil-Based Primer
Apply an oil-basedprimerto separate the water-soluble wallpaper paste from the water-rich latex paint.
The primer effectively will create an impermeable barrier between the two coatings.
Let the Primer Fully Dry
Let the oil-bassed primer fully dry.
Therecoat time for oil-based paints and primersranges from eight to 24 hours.
It’s usually best to wait as long as possible before recoating oil-based paint.
Add a Skim Coat
Askim coatis a thin layer ofdrywall joint compound.
This is applied with a drywall knife or paint roller.
Using a drywall knife lets you smooth out the coat with the sharp edge of the knife.
A paint roller applies a thick coat of compound that later will require more sanding.
Sand the Skim Coat
Sand the skim coat smooth with fine-grit sandpaper.
Skim coats can produce highlysmooth walls.
Be sure to first use a primer on the new surface before painting.
Tip
Paint multiple thin coats instead of one thick coat.
If this does not work, sand it off.
Stir lightly to avoid frothing up the mixture into suds.
Apply the sponge to the wall.
Work in small areas and only lightly rub the wall.
Do not venture to soak the wall with the water.
Work quickly to avoid the glue drying up on you again.
Keep the knife at a low angle to avoid gouging the surface.
First, let the wall thoroughly dry.
