Primer for drywall under wallpaper – why is it needed?

Priming is an important step in wallpaper preparation for drywall that is frequently missed. Priming is an essential step that may seem superfluous, but it’s crucial to making sure your wallpaper looks great and adheres firmly.

The smooth, even surface that is produced by priming drywall facilitates better wallpaper adhesion. If you don’t use a primer, the drywall may absorb the adhesive unevenly, which could eventually cause bubbles, creases, and even peeling wallpaper.

Priming not only increases adhesion but also seals the drywall to keep the wallpaper paste from seeingp through too much. This is particularly crucial if you want your wallpaper to remain problem-free for many years.

Why do you need a primer?

Even finishers frequently overlook priming the plasterboard surface before painting or wallpapering it, focusing only on screw heads and seams at most. However, this merely highlights the dishonesty or lack of experience of these employees. When asked if priming drywall is required before wallpapering, a skilled craftsman will only provide a positive response. Let us clarify why.

• After installing plasterboard sheets, holes with screw heads inside remain on its surface.
  They, as well as the joints between the sheets, must be sealed with putty to level the surface. The primer will improve the adhesion of the putty mixture to the paper and prevent it from peeling;

• The cardboard with which gypsum board sheets are covered perfectly absorbs moisture. If you glue wallpaper directly on it, the consumption of glue will increase.
  In addition, it will be absorbed and dry very quickly, complicating the work of fitting the wallpaper sheets to each other;
• Wallpaper pasted directly onto drywall without pre-priming it, when trying to remove it during the next repair, will pull the top layer of paper along with it, violating the integrity of the surface. As a result, you will have to either repair it or change the wall paneling.

To put it briefly, neglecting this final step can lead to a number of issues that will ultimately cost far more than the primer’s cost and the labor involved in applying it.

Prior to wallpaper hanging, prime the drywall to improve adhesion, smooth out the surface, and guard against future problems like bubbling or peeling. When it’s time for a change, it also makes it easier to remove the wallpaper by sealing the drywall and lowering the amount of wallpaper paste required.

Rules for treating drywall with primer

For this reason, priming drywall is essential. Should you choose to handle everything on your own, when, how, and with what composition should you do this?

Choosing a primer

Selecting a primer is simple because the packaging always specifies the product’s composition and application area. In our instance, this may be a unique mixture designed for use on gypsum board as well as a general-purpose deep penetration primer appropriate for a variety of surfaces. However, the following details should be noted as they will assist you in making the best decision:

• Brand and manufacturer. You should not buy “what is cheaper”, there is a risk of buying a fake or a product that contains toxic substances. It is better to pay more, but be sure of the quality and safety of the product;
• Scope. Primer for outdoor work in its properties can fully meet the requirements for moisture and heat resistance, penetrating ability and other characteristics.
  But it often contains harmful substances, so it should not be used indoors;
• Drying speed. This parameter is important if you need to complete the repair in a short time, since the primer for gluing wallpaper on drywall (see.Finishing drywall for wallpaper: doing it right) is usually applied in two layers with a break for each to dry completely;
• Color. Most often the composition is transparent or white, but some manufacturers add colored pigment to it to improve the quality of the coating. When applying it, you will clearly see the untreated areas;

As a point of reference. You shouldn’t worry that the light wallpaper will reveal the colored primer underneath. It takes on no color once it dries.

• Availability of additives. Often on the packaging you can find an indication of the type of primer – frost-resistant, fire-resistant, antiseptic.
  For example, if you are renovating a room with high humidity, it is advisable to treat the walls before wallpapering them with a composition with antiseptic properties that prevent the development of fungus and mold.

How to apply

It is hardly necessary to go into great detail about how to apply primer to a surface because it is a simple task; the most important thing is to make sure that no area is left unpainted and to allow each layer to fully dry. You have the option to view a video that discusses plasterboard wall preparation for finishing. However, it is important to note that the gypsum board needs to be primed three times:

• Before sealing the seams, the joints between the sheets, corners and attachment points are processed;
• Before leveling the surface, the entire area is primed to increase the adhesion strength of the putty to the cardboard;

• Before the wallpaper sticking, at least two layers of primer are applied along the plucked walls to strengthen the surface and reduce its absorption ability. Thanks to this primer layer, you will be able to easily remove old wallpaper without damaging the paper layer of the plasterboard.

Kindly take note. The putty walls need to be leveled and smoothed with sandpaper prior to primer application.

After brushing hard-to-reach areas like corners, niches, wall-to-ceiling joints, etc., it is most practical to apply the composition using a roller on a long handle. As it is unlikely that splashes and drips will be avoided, it is best to cover the floors before doing this.

Applying primer to drywall prior to wallpapering is a minor yet significant step that can significantly impact the durability and quality of your walls. It contributes to the creation of a level, smooth surface that guarantees the wallpaper will adhere correctly and remain in place for many years.

Although skipping the primer could initially save time, it can cause problems like bubbling, uneven wallpaper application, and even damage to the drywall itself. By priming, you safeguard your investment, facilitate future wallpaper removal or modifications, and lessen the likelihood of wall damage.

To put it briefly, priming drywall beneath wallpaper is essential to getting a long-lasting, polished finish. It’s not just an extra step. It’s an easy, affordable way to guarantee that your walls remain lovely and well-kept.

Video on the topic

How to prime walls under wallpaper? How to paint? Two proven universal primers.

How to prime drywall

Priming walls under wallpaper, putty and plaster. Why is it needed?

Do I need to prime PAPER on DRYWALL? What does THIS affect? Advice from the KARKASNIK channel