How to Paint Over Wallpaper or Textured Walls: Step-by-Step Guide for DIY Painters

Painting over wallpaper or textured walls is a smart, time-saving alternative to removal, especially when stripping could damage your drywall or take days of elbow grease.

In this guide, we'll cover everything from prep to finish, helping you achieve a fresh look that's durable and professional. Let's dive in and make your walls shine!

Before you grab your roller, it is crucial to know what you are dealing with. Wallpapers come in various types, including vinyl, which is slick and durable and often found in kitchens or bathrooms, as well as paper-backed, which is more absorbent and prone to tearing, and fabric-backed, which can be tricky to paint over due to potential peeling.

For textured walls, painting enhances dimension without flattening the surface, the pros include flaw concealment and added character, but the cons involve uneven coverage if not done right. You should always test a small area first. If the wallpaper peels easily or the texture is crumbling, removal might be better to avoid bubbles or cracks later.

Gathering the right gear is half the battle, and trust me, skimping here leads to frustration. For both wallpaper and textured walls, you should start with these essentials.

• Cleaning supplies, such as mild soap, a TSP (trisodium phosphate) solution for grimy spots, damp cloths, and a vacuum with a brush attachment.
• Repair items, including joint compound or spackle, a putty knife, sandpaper with medium grit for smoothing, and wallpaper seam adhesive for loose edges.
• Priming and painting tools, such as an oil-based or shellac-based primer, which is key for sealing wallpaper, high-nap rollers that are 3/4-inch or thicker for textures, angled brushes for edges, paint trays, and drop cloths.
• Paints, preferably in matte or eggshell finishes to hide imperfections; I recommend opting for high-quality brands like those from Home Depot or Sherwin-Williams for better coverage.
• Safety gear, including gloves, goggles, a respirator mask since primers can be fumy, and painter's tape for clean lines.
• Optional extras, such as a palm sander for large areas, filler for holes, and a paint sprayer for speed on textures.

You can budget around $50-100 for a standard room, depending on its size. As a pro tip, choose primers formulated for porous or textured surfaces to ensure even adhesion.

Are you ready to roll? Follow these numbered steps for a seamless transformation. I have done this on vintage homes where removal would have been a nightmare.

1. Clean and Repair - Begin by wiping down the walls with a barely damp cloth and TSP if they are greasy, but avoid soaking them to prevent loosening the adhesive. Allow the walls to dry for 24 hours. Next, inspect for peels, tears, or bubbles. Re-glue any loose seams with wallpaper adhesive, cut out bubbles with a utility knife, fill them with spackle, and sand everything smooth. For textured wallpaper, lightly sand the whole surface.

2. Apply Primer - This step is non-negotiable. Use an oil-based or shellac primer to seal the paper and prevent bubbling from water-based paints.

Brush the edges first, then roll on a thin coat. Ventilate the area well, and let it dry according to the instructions, which is usually 1-2 hours.

3. Sand if Needed - If seams or repairs feel raised, lightly sand them for smoothness. Afterward, wipe away any dust.
4. Apply Base Coat - Tape off the trim, then paint with a brush for the corners and a roller for the main areas. Use even strokes to avoid drips.
5. Add Texture if Desired - If the original texture is lost, mix joint compound into the paint for a subtle stipple. Apply it with a stipple brush for the desired effect.

6. Final Coats - Apply 1-2 more coats, allowing them to dry between applications for 4-6 hours each. For dark wallpaper under light paint, extra coats will hide patterns better. Work in sections to keep a wet edge and avoid lap marks.

Textured walls demand patience but reward you with depth. I have painted orange peel textures in living rooms, and here is how to do it.

1. Prep Work - Begin by cleaning the walls with a vacuum and a damp cloth. If the walls are greasy, degrease them appropriately. Next, scrape off any loose paint, fill in holes using filler, and sand the surface smooth. Finally, remove outlet covers to prepare for painting.

2. Priming - Apply a high-build primer with a thick-nap roller to fill the grooves. One coat usually suffices, but let it dry fully.

3. Choosing the Right Roller - Go for 3/4-inch nap or knit covers, as they penetrate nooks without flattening the texture.

4. Painting Techniques to Avoid Pooling in Textures - Start at the top and roll in up-down lines or W-patterns. Work in 4-foot sections, applying light coats to prevent drips. If you are spraying, back-roll for evenness.

I have seen these issues trip up even professionals, so do not repeat them.

• Skipping primer: Water-based ones can reactivate the glue, causing peels or bubbles.
• Ignoring repairs: Painting over damaged spots leads to visible flaws.
• Using the wrong tools: Thin rollers miss textures, causing unevenness.
• Overloading paint: Heavy coats drip and pool in crevices.
• Poor ventilation: Fumes from oil primers can cause headaches, so open windows.
• Rushing drying: Wet paint leads to tacky finishes or adhesion issues.

For that wow factor, layer on these hacks. Use matte paints to minimize sheen on imperfections. Allow 24-48 hours of drying between coats, as textured walls hold more paint.

Safety comes first, so wear masks for dust and primer. If the walls are multi-layered or severely damaged, call a professional to avoid costly fixes.

There you have it, a complete roadmap to painting over wallpaper or textured walls that saves time and money while delivering stunning results. With the right prep and tools, your DIY project will look pro-level.

Remember, patience pays off for that flawless finish. Share your painting projects in the comments, I'd love to hear your tips or before-after stories!