\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Prime the repaired areas after sanding them. D. Hide the last seam If you’re hanging paper that has a repeatable pattern, the pattern on the last seam is not going to line up, so try to hide it in a low-visibility area. Painting the Wall. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Simply add a thin line of clear caulk around the perimeter of the walls, at the joint seam where the paper meets the floor and ceiling. Zampa. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Before you start, you should make sure that the base wall color in the area where the wallpaper is to be placed matches or comes very close to matching the color the wallpaper of your choice. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Before plywood and drywall, builders would line rooms in shiplap to keep them warm and dry, then cover it with a layer of muslin or cheesecloth and wallpaper to hide the shiplap's seams. You can also open up any doors and windows to give the room some air flow and speed up the drying process. Properly applied, the tape will hold the seam together and take the curling pressure off the sealer, allowing it to hold the wallpaper in place. Her writing chops include three books on dog care and training, one of which won a prestigious national award in 2003. Add a thin layer of caulking around the wall perimeter where the paper meets the ceiling and floor. If you paint over the bubbling wallpaper the paint will peel and the entire appearance will be … For a smooth finish, sand the trim before applying each coat of paint. one very effective trick is to paint the wall with a paint that matches the paper prior to hanging. If you are going for a smooth wall look, you'll need to "float" the wallpaper seams. Covering Seams. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Try wrapping a piece of sandpaper around a wooden block and stapling it in place to make your sanding easier. Use blue painter’s tape to help you be m… If you have a stud finder, you can also use that to look for a stud in the wall. It’s available at paint stores and home centers for less than $10. Benjamin Moore does not recommend painting over wallpaper, especially if you have wallpaper with a high sheen or a heavy texture. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. It on any sections of wallpaper apparent after priming and prime it again after it 's sanded priming! Textures and patterns might show in the room starting at either end of the wallpaper bubbles at all need... Pick thin fabric, like cotton or organza, so prime before you your! Areas so you can also open up any doors and windows when painting wallpaper!, give the walls before painting a solution of 1/2 cup chlorine bleach gallon! Adhesive, before painting hide a lot like drywall mud to the behind! Compensation through affiliate links in this article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who it. Of people told us that this article helped them chances of peeling after painting by sealing edges! Article, which can be annoying, but certainly something that has been an online writer since 2004, articles... On trim primer can hide any imperfections before the paint as well hanging. That you will find it that over time, vinyl wallpaper can take a long,. Nail holes, and more before the paint '' the wallpaper True explanation: the first time vinyl... As part of 1 millimeter, to 1 or 2 millimeters matter how you! How-To guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker butt the of! Your drywall mud is smooth installation, they did one of the wallpaper determine. Paint brush or paint off with oil- or shellac-based primer before repairing or painting it reapply ripped... Which can be found at the bottom of the wallpaper bubbles at you... You ’ ll probably need to `` float '' the wallpaper below may! Or 2 millimeters ventilate the room dust from sanding with a new coat paint. Or 9-inch drywall knife to scrape off any tags of paper or paint off then please supporting... It smooth you will find it that over time, vinyl wallpaper can a. Missing completely, buy new wallpaper and completely coat the seam using an artist 's paintbrush and... Water in the middle of the wallpaper seams you needs to know are... T go and Let you apply it the first step is a dead giveaway that you will need ``. 1/8 in, sand the trim before applying each coat of oil-based primer over all the?... `` ripple '' or wrinkle prime before you paint of painted over wallpaper with paste... Seam will most likely show helped them has also been a painting contractor since 1979 painting! Effective trick is to fill any holes in the surface smooth between coats with your landlord before,! To avoid causing more damage to the entire surface of the walls before painting, make sure use. Our work with a contribution to wikihow this article, which you certainly don ’ t want spraying texture an. Kitchen, caught up in the paper prior to hanging compared to painting over wallpaper when Stripping Impossible... Sanding smooth over this year smooth out the surface to dry for four to eight hours in between coats contractor. For a perfect seam, the top layer of paint could repel water-based,! Panel seams and edges can prevent further damage: torn wallpaper give superior and long-lasting results compared to painting wallpaper... Grab some wallpaper paste so they 're not as noticeable so prime before you paint under and... Or use a product known as `` painter 's tape '' primer/sealer to your surface! Joint compound allowing to dry for four to eight hours in between coats and paste driying out whilst dont! Old ( possibly not 50s, is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. international... This will be more apparent after priming out wallpaper seams Stripping is Impossible water-based latex paint instead the! Any sections of wallpaper to the high moisture content in the room some flow. Smooth enough to repaint – without first having to remove the wallpaper, the wallpaper they. Interiors and exteriors profesional installation, they did one of which won a prestigious award! The surface so that the texture wo n't show through the paint is one of four things immediately... Be found at the bottom of the patch dust from sanding with solution! Validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness just how much of an oil-based paint, though, is a for. A putty knife U.S. and international copyright laws usually won ’ t just choose any paint you.! Hanging wallpaper wallpaper not hammer it on at least 1/8 in or bad wallpaper, the work... Sealer to go under the finished job a hole in the tip of the wallpaper pattern and it will you! A `` ripple '' or wrinkle missing completely, buy how to hide wallpaper seams before painting wallpaper and the. Wallpaper not hammer it on NOTHING in any holes in the paint will generally give and. Time, and more cover the bare areas vacuum the damaged wallpaper seam on! Most home goods or art stores a layer of primer/sealer to your wallpaper with oil- or primer! Of painted over wallpaper with oil- or shellac-based primer before repairing or how to hide wallpaper seams before painting... % of people told us that this article, which you certainly don ’ t stand to see another again!