Without having to deal with the trouble of removing old wallpaper, painting wallpaper is a great way to give your walls a new look. But painting alone won’t produce a perfect finish. Additional work is needed. Making the right material and technique choices can have a significant impact on the outcome.
Preventing streaks is one of the most frequent problems encountered when painting wallpaper. Your walls could appear uneven and shoddily finished as a result of these ugly lines. However, if you take the proper steps, you can get a smooth, even coat that improves the overall design of your room.
We’ll take you step-by-step through the wallpaper painting process in this guide. We’ll go over the best paint types to use, streak-free painting techniques, and some useful advice to make your walls look professionally painted. Whether you’re an experienced do-it-yourselfer or a novice painter, following these tips will help you finish the project correctly.
Selecting the appropriate paint type is the first step towards painting wallpaper without streaks. Water-based or latex paints work best because they offer uniform coverage and dry rapidly. Before you start, make sure the wallpaper is clean and dry. Using a good roller, apply the paint evenly, working in small sections and not overlapping your strokes. To achieve a uniform finish and smooth out any lines, use a brush afterward for optimal outcomes.
- What kind of paint is there for wallpaper?
- What wallpaper can be painted?
- Lincrust
- Glass wallpaper
- Non-woven
- Vinyl
- Paper
- How to paint a wall covered with paintable wallpaper
- How to choose paint
- What roller to paint with
- How many layers of paint will be required
- Step-by-step guide
- Video on the topic
- How to paint wallpaper without stripes?
- How to repaint wallpaper: easy, fast and budget-friendly
- How to paint wallpaper. Secrets from the professionals.
What kind of paint is there for wallpaper?
Navigating pages
Any contemporary wall paint can be used to paint high-quality pasted wallpaper. Paints that dissolve in water, i.e., those that use water as a solvent, are frequently used. Paints utilize specific bases and additives to produce a wide range of consumer characteristics, including being nearly odorless and drying quickly. They are separated into water-emulsion, water-dispersion, polyvinyl acetate, acrylic, and latex categories. Pros and cons apply to each type.
- Acrylic. Basic component – acrylic resins. Forms a wear-resistant, moisture-resistant coating that does not fade in the sun. The most expensive among water-soluble paints.
- Latex. Manufactured using latex. They create a durable, washable coating film, have good wear resistance, but are susceptible to fading. The film also hides minor surface defects.
- Polyvinyl acetate. Also called “PVA paints”, they are made on the basis of PVA glue. Cost less than other types, practically non-moisture resistant.
Painting compositions are classified as glossy, semi-gloss, matte, or semi-matte depending on how glossy they are. Most paints are sold in white; they can be tinted to a variety of shades with special tinting compounds or they can be tinted at the time of purchase by selecting a color from the catalog.
What wallpaper can be painted?
The contemporary wallpaper market offers a variety of paintable wallpapers that aren’t printed with patterns like regular wallpaper. By material, they are separated into four categories: paper, vinyl, non-woven, glass wallpaper, and crust.
Lincrust
A unique mass of natural materials, such as wood flour and linseed oil, are applied to a base of fabric or paper to create a wall covering with a highly embossed structure known as lincrust. Frequently, the design mimics stucco. It is advised to use a spray gun for painting instead of rollers due to the strong relief. Its structure is dense, and wet cleaning is permitted. repainted multiple times is possible.
Glass wallpaper
Composed of fiberglass. Fiberglass threads are twisted in a unique way to create patterns with varying textures. After that, they are impregnated with a unique mixture—typically one made of modified starch—to provide stability. Benefits and attributes:
- Do not burn.
- Do not support combustion.
- Easy to clean.
- Do not interfere with air circulation due to the woven structure.
- Allow multiple repainting.
Non-woven
Non-woven fabric is made of cellulose and is joined together with a unique polymer. There are various textures, including volumetric, in non-woven wallpapers because of the unique structure of the fibers. Nonetheless, smooth wallpaper is also widely used for painting, and it can be pasted without the need for time-consuming finishing putty.
Vinyl
Wallpaper that is not woven and has a vinyl covering on the front. more useful than merely being non-woven. Repaintable up to ten times.
Paper
Paper-based paintable wallpaper is different from regular wallpaper in that it has multiple layers and no pattern. These are typically two, rarely three, layers of paper adhered together. Filler can be used to create textures in the spaces between the layers. The least expensive paintable wallpaper is also the most "capricious" in that it is susceptible to moisture and mechanical damage. Extremely annoying when gluing because the canvas gets wet and can get in your hands from the glue.
How to paint a wall covered with paintable wallpaper
The possibilities for painting wallpaper-covered walls differ based on the area to be painted, the composition type selected, and the painting technique (brush or spray gun).
How to choose paint
The purpose of the room where the repair is being done determines what paint to use. For instance, it’s crucial to use washable paint in the kitchen or nursery that withstands frequent wet cleaning and detergent resistance; in public building corridors, high wear resistance paint; in medical facilities, antibacterial paint; etc. The guidelines for selecting paint for putty walls and wallpaper are identical.
What roller to paint with
Any roller will do, but for this kind of work, paint manufacturers advise using fur or velor with a medium pile (6–10 mm). You can add a second or third coat of the primary shade or a layer of a different color with a textured roller to create an extra decorative effect.
How many layers of paint will be required
Typically, two layers are sufficient; however, you might need to add one or two more when painting a light tone over a dark base.
Step-by-step guide
What you’ll need to paint the walls is:
- Roller (180-300 mm, the wider the better, but it is important that the roller is comfortable to hold).
- Narrow thin roller or brush for drawing out corners.
- Paint tray with a special surface for rolling the roller.
- Facade spatula at least 250 mm wide.
- Masking tape.
- Paint mixer.
- Container for mixing paint, if you plan to tint it yourself.
- Damp cloth.
- Broom or vacuum cleaner.
- Paint.
First, use a broom or vacuum to remove any dust from the base.
Paint should be applied using the largest amplitude horizontal movements while maintaining constant roller pressure. The roller’s movement speed is chosen experimentally to ensure that it moves quickly enough to prevent spills but not so quickly that splashes occur. It is advised to paint one wall at a time without stopping. Apply another layer of paint if there are streaks or the paint is not painted well.
Step | Details |
1. Choose the right paint | Select water-based or acrylic paint for best results. These paints provide even coverage and are easy to apply. |
2. Prepare the wallpaper | Ensure the wallpaper is clean and dry. Remove any dust or dirt to avoid streaks. |
3. Use quality tools | Opt for a high-quality roller or brush. A good roller provides even application, reducing the risk of streaks. |
4. Apply paint evenly | Start painting from the top and work your way down. Apply the paint in even strokes, ensuring full coverage. |
5. Avoid overloading the roller | Dip the roller lightly into the paint. Overloading can lead to drips and streaks on the wall. |
6. Work in sections | Paint small sections at a time. This helps maintain a wet edge, preventing streaks when overlapping. |
7. Let it dry | Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying a second coat. Patience ensures a streak-free finish. |
8. Inspect your work | Once dry, check for any missed spots or streaks. Touch up as needed for a flawless finish. |
Using the proper methods and supplies, painting wallpaper can result in a spotless finish free of streaks. You can guarantee a smooth and even application by carefully prepping the surface and choosing the right paint.
It is imperative to select a premium water-based wallpaper paint. These paints are less likely to leave streaks and offer better coverage. For a more uniform finish, use several thin coats rather than one thick one.
Don’t forget to use a brush or roller appropriate for the wallpaper’s texture. You can achieve a professional-looking finish by taking your time painting and giving each coat enough time to dry.