Putting Up Wallpaper Question

[JanetRose]

If I have my wallpaper taken down but can't afford to have new paper put up, can I paint the walls and when I can put up new wallpaper, put the wallpaper over the painted walls? Or would I have to apply sizing over the paint?

Thank you.

 

[Microcell]

I believe that you can wallpaper over paint by using primer over the paint and then wallpapering. You may not have to if it is pretty fresh paint on the walls. Primer just makes everything even and clean.

 

[Kermit]

We've put up wallpaper without doing sizing. In fact, the only room we've wallpapered has wallpaper on the bottom half and paint on the top half. We intentionally painted down below the line where the two would meet so that there wouldn't be any spots without either. It's been several years, but I *think* that sizing is only for if you have walls that don't have a smooth texture or if the paint is really old. Our house was only about 2 years old when we papered, so the walls were fine.

 

[ADisneygirl]

Wallpaper can be applied over painted walls, no problem. But.... the sizing you paint on is to help in the removal of the paper when you want to change it. It is pretty watery stuff. I think it makes the job a smidge easier.

 

[Loubon]

Sizing makes future removal A LOT easier. It is relative inexpensive and goes on real easy in just a few minutes. (It has a watery consistency so it is like painting on thick water.) Don't skip this step. You won't be sorry.

 

[JanetRose]

Does the wallpaper have to be put up immediately after applying the sizing?

 

[Loubon]

Yes, within a day or so. You would want to do this anyway since it will have a filmy appearance (and sometimes a bluish tint). But to your original question you can paint now and just deal with this at a later time if you prefer. Just apply the sizing right over the painted walls whenever you're ready to paper at a later time.

 

[golfgal]

A GREAT tip I learned from the paint and wallpaper expert at the decorating store we used when we were taking down all the wallpaper in our house was to strip the wallpaper, scrape off the glue layer/paper and let the walls dry (we used squirt bottles of hot water and that makes the job easier). When the walls are dry sand down any rough spots from dry glue, we used those foam sanding blocks and just did a quick run over the walls. Then use a good sealing primer like Kliz and paint. It is SO much faster then washing all the walls and works just as well!