How To Paint Over Wallpaper In A Bathroom

By Dan WienerLast update

Wallpaper is often used in home decorating, and it brings a great change in the color and ambiance of a room for very little cost. If you want to redecorate the bathroom in your home and it has wallpaper, you are probably wondering if you can paint over the wallpaper.

The question of how to paint over wallpaper in a bathroom comes down to a few simple steps. First, clean the wallpaper-covered walls, add adhesive to the corners if needed, prime the walls, and apply your first coat of oil-based paint. Once that is dry, you can apply a second coat.

Read on for more detailed step-by-step instructions on how to paint over wallpaper in a bathroom.

Step 1

To paint over wallpaper in a bathroom properly, thorough preparation is required to get the desired results. The first step is to remove all items from the bathroom, such as soaps, medications, hygiene products, etc. Also, be sure to cover the drains, toilet, and bathtub to protect them. Finally, cover all electrical connections to prevent paint splatters you will have to remove later.

Step 2

Once all the objects in the bathroom are protected, the walls covered with wallpaper need to be cleaned. To do this, you need to use diluted trisodium phosphate, which is an oil-based primer. It gives the paint better adhesion when painting over the wallpaper. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing. The primer can be applied with a brush or roller.

If the wallpaper is torn or coming up at the edges and corners, apply some wallpaper glue or adhesive to fix these issues and make sure the bathroom wallpaper completely adheres to the wall before you begin painting. You can also use a sealing primer to help cover any irregularities there may be between the wallpaper and the wall.

Once the walls are clean and you have applied the sealing primer, let it dry for at least 2 hours.

Step 3

It’s time to start applying the first coat of paint to the wallpaper. Make sure the paint you choose is oil-based for extra protection against the dampness that is always present in the bathroom. Use a roller to apply the paint, so you will get an even coat of paint on the wall,

If you have the opportunity to use a paint sprayer, the results will be even better. If you think it is necessary, apply a second or even a third coat of paint. Let each coat dry for at least one hour before moving onto the next coat.

Step 4

The last step is to clean the bathroom. Once everything is dried, you can bring everything back into your bathroom.

Types Of Primer

A primer is a base coat applied before painting so that the paint adheres properly to the wall. For example, the best option for painting over wallpaper on a bathroom wall is to use an oil-based primer to help seal the wallpaper properly. However, there are different types of primers. Therefore, it is important to use the right one for the job.

Wood Primers

Pigmented Sealers

They are used to seal the wood’s pores and, at the same time, to even the surface and provide more regularity to the surface. Non-pigmented system to seal and equalize wood for varnish finishes.

Colorless Sealers

They are used for all types of exterior wood, such as pine, beech, or oak. In addition to their sealing function, they also serve as fungicides, insecticides, or tannin blockers. 

Metal Primers

They are used to protect metal surfaces from rust and increase their resistance to rust or corrosion. Like any other primer, they are used to improve paint adhesion on metal surfaces.

Primers For PVC And Difficult Surfaces

Difficult surfaces such as tile, glass, aluminum, etc., require a special primer to make the paint adhere better and last longer. This type of primer gives a matte appearance to the surfaces to be painted.

Other Recommendations

Remember to tape off the parts you don’t want to paint, such as door and window frames, baseboards, and switches in your bathroom.

Apply the paint with a roller for a uniform finish. Use a brush to paint the corners you cannot easily reach with a roller. Remember to let one coat dry thoroughly before starting to paint a new coat. Generally, two coats of paint are enough to cover the wallpaper on the wall. If necessary, apply a third coat of paint.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of paint should I use to paint over wallpaper?

To paint over wallpaper on a bathroom wall, it is necessary to choose the right paint. Professional painters opt for oil-based paint instead of latex paint. This will prevent moisture from peeling off the paper that is under the layers of paint.

You must choose a good quality paint that will provide efficient coverage. Another option that may be viable is the use of textured paint. With this type of paint, you will be sure to have good coverage that will not let you see the flaws that the wallpaper may have. Rustic-style textured paints hide the imperfections of the wallpaper very well and will give a nice look to your wall.

Is it possible to paint over vinyl wallpaper?

Vinyl wallpaper is designed so that it can be removed and replaced. This is not always a practical option as it is designed to resist water, so it can be difficult to remove. If the wallpaper is new and you want to change it, you can paint over it as long as the wallpaper is perfectly adhered to the wall and is in good condition.

To do this, you must use a primer before you start painting. Once you have properly primed the wallpaper, you can use any type of paint on the vinyl wallpaper. If the wallpaper has a pattern or is a dark color, you will need several coats of paint to get it completely covered. Consider this fact when buying paint to do the job. As mentioned above, you must let one coat dry thoroughly before painting the next.

Is it necessary to waterproof the bathroom wall with wallpaper?

Waterproofing wallpaper is necessary for rooms where moisture is present. There is excess moisture in rooms such as the bathroom or kitchen, and mold tends to accumulate. So, it is indeed advisable to waterproof walls that have wallpaper. Waterproofing wallpaper requires applying several coats of a water-based varnish, emulsion glaze, or a primer. You must make sure that there is no moisture when applying the primer.

Is it possible to paint over textured wallpaper?

There is some debate as to whether or not it is advisable to paint over textured wallpaper. First of all, it must be determined if the texture is too deep. If the texture is too deep, it will be practically impossible to paint over the wallpaper. On the other hand, it is possible to paint over textured wallpaper as long as the texture is of medium or light depth.