Unpopular opinion: painting over wallpaper is lazy and makes future renovations a nightmare

I spent 8 hours removing 3 layers of painted-over wallpaper in my 1950s bungalow because the previous owner thought slapping on some latex paint would save them $200 on removal costs, and now I'm curious how many of you have dealt with this mess and actually preferred it to just tearing the paper off first?

3 comments

3 Comments

reesemiller2mo ago

Idk, maybe it's just me but painting over wallpaper can actually work if you prep it right and use a high quality primer first. I've done it in a rental before and it held up fine for years without bubbling or peeling when I eventually had to strip it later. But yeah, three layers of latex directly on unpainted wallpaper is a total nightmare and I'd never defend that level of laziness.

henry_martinez2mo ago

You know, I was one of those people who always said painting over wallpaper was just asking for trouble. But reading your post, especially the part about prepping it right with a high quality primer, actually makes me rethink it. I've never tried it myself because I assumed it would bubble up no matter what. Sounds like you put in the real work upfront to make it last, and that's the total difference between a smart hack and just slapping paint on like the lazy homeowners you mentioned.

abby_black27d ago

Gotta respectfully disagree, @henry_martinez. Even with good prep, that wallpaper seam is still there waiting to fail. I stripped a bathroom wall where someone did it "right" with primer and all. Still peeled off in sheets when the humidity hit. The paper itself traps moisture, creates a breeding ground for mold behind the paint. You never really know what's underneath either.

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