Questions and Answers
Posted Jan 08, 2007
Q: Is it possible to paint over vinyl wallpaper? If so what type of paint should I use. - Julie
A: It's possible using specialist primer (ask at your local DIY store), but I really wouldn't recommend it. Once you have a product you have to thoroughly clean the wall, then apply the primer as directed.
Whenever I've had to paint a vinyl papered wall I've always stripped the vinyl by scoring it all over, applying a steamer and then stripping as usual - the ease of the job depends on how the wallpaper was put up in the first place; I've had vinyl wallpaper that came off incredibly easily and almost didn't require the use of a scraper. On the other end of the spectrum, I've seen wallpaper that was literally glued to the wall with some thick brown substance that required burning off.