When after a few years the wallpaper begins to seriously fade, many people want to repaint it rather than take it off to change it. This solution has some advantages, but is not without drawbacks. For repainting directly on wallpaper to be valid, it is imperative to take certain precautions and be a good handyman. Let’s do a check in.
Repainting wallpaper: the benefits
This is a solution chosen when you don’t want to waste your time peeling off the wallpaper. It’s fast and you transform a room to embark on a major project. It is therefore a suitable method for Pressed people provided they are used to this kind of work.
Painting directly on wallpaper: the disadvantages
Do not repaint directly on a wallpaper in poor condition, torn, damaged because the paint won’t be able to hide all these flaws. In addition, if you repaint a dark or even patterned paper, the old color and the prints may not be completely masked. Finally, a painting placed on a wallpaper lasts less time than if it had been placed on a rough wall.
You should also know that this is not the solution to choose if you only have one very small budget to devote to his work because it is mandatory to apply excellent quality paint. No need to invest in a low-end paint because it will not adhere to the wallpaper.
Which paint to choose for repainting directly on wallpaper?
If you opt for this type of work, it is generally to give your interior a little facelift and for the room to gain aesthetically. It is therefore essential to choose a specific paint so that the final result lives up to expectations. The main principle to be respected is that the wallpaper can be perfectly coated. We forget the low-end paint and buy a good quality paint, even if its price is higher.
The paint to choose for repainting directly on wallpaper must:
- Do not cause the wall paper to peel off,
- Have a high covering power.
The ideal paint should therefore not contain a lot of water and is expected to excellent grip to support. The glycerophthalic paint suitable for all types of wallpaper including vinyl and it lends itself better to this kind of work than water-based acrylic paint even if the latter camouflages the imperfections of the support well. However, it is necessary to inquire with a professional who knows all the tricks to obtain a zero defect aesthetic result and knows how a wallpaper can react when it is painted.
Repainting your wallpaper: precautions to take
Without a minimum of DIY knowledge, painting jobs on wallpaper can quickly turn into a mess. nightmare. And repainting paper is far from child’s play contrary to what we hear (usually by people who have never stuck to this type of task). It is necessary to reserve time in order to bring all the necessary care to the operation and not to work in haste. The necessary precautions are as follows:
Check the condition of the wallpaper to be repainted.
The connections between the strips must be well glued, just like all the paper. If it peels off in certain places, it is essential to glue it back together with a paste for wallpaper, then wait for complete drying.
clean the wallpaper
We use the small flexible brush of the vacuum cleaner so that there is no more dust. In other words, this support on which it will be necessary to put paint must be absolutely flawless. After vacuuming, use a small, slightly damp sponge to remove stains and clean every square millimeter, then dry the wallpaper with a clean cloth and vacuum everything again.
Buy a coating or an undercoat
It is essential for hide reliefs, defects and to obtain a more uniform result. The coating allows smooth the support and the undercoat is essential to repaint a dark or printed wallpaper in light.
Choose paint color wisely
Directly repainting a dark wallpaper with a light paint can certainly make the room brighter, but this requires several layers so that the dark of the support does not stand out. Thus, to cover chocolate wallpaper with white paint requires at least four successive coats, with of course sufficient drying time between each coat. This may have an impact on the prix work because you have to buy several pots of paint, which is not the case if you want to repaint a plain white paper…
Test the reaction of the wallpaper before repainting it
Not all wallpapers react the same when covered with paint. Before embarking on the refreshment workwe must play the card of caution by engaging in a small test. Simply apply undercoat and paint in an inconspicuous place and leave to dry. This allows you to check that the wallpaper is not peeling off but also that the type and color of the paint are perfectly suitable.
Stay sober in your choice of paint
It is better to avoid embarking on an overly sophisticated decoration by choosing a decorative paint with effects. By placing this type of material on wallpaper, the result may be more pathetic than pretty. You might as well stay sober and simply choose a suitable paint from a trend color in harmony with the decor. The piece will only be more valued.
Assign the task to a house painter or decorator
The advice applies if you have no experience in the field. But it is also valid if you are not in the business and want to repaint a relief wallpaper. The task involves difficulties and requires rigor, precision, care and patience.
Finally, repaint directly on the bathroom wallpaper or the shower room is not really a good idea. In this type of damp room, it is rather recommended to remove the wallpaper, clean the wall, check if it is sound, prepare it and treat it if necessary, then repaint it.