Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
Has anyone ever painted over wallpaper with success? The only reason I ask is painters in my neck of the woods charge between double and triple extra to remove it, compound, and then paint.
This is a house in a middle class suburban neighborhood and is a raised ranch. Would you paint over wallpaper on a house to make numbers work or pass on the deal because of that?
We are talking 7-8k more to remove the wallpaper and get it painted. Looking forward to hearing some opinions on painting over wallpaper.
Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2013 · 347 posts · 191 votes
13y
I have not dealt with this on a flip property but I do have to speak up in defense of painting over wallpaper in some situations. It depends on the age of the property and the way in which the original wallpaper was stuck to the walls. My personal property was built in 1924 and had wallpaper on every surface including the ceilings. The ceiling paper came off in nice big sheets by just wetting it down. The paper on the walls however was put on with something much, much stronger and the paper itself was quite thick. Given this situation we decided to have the "mud guy" do a light coat of joint compound and cover the paper joins just like a drywall seam. Then that was primed with oil based primer. Then two good coats of nice flat Ben Moore deep color paint. Very lovely ten years later!
Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
13y
That will be what will have to happen. When it comes down to it I won't pass on a deal because of wallpaper.
Does that Wallwik system work as good as it seems to on the testimonials?
Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
13y
The feeling I am getting is that these guys just don't want to deal with it so they are just throwing a ridiculous number at me.
I will look at demo guys. Thanks J
White House, TN · Member since 2013 · 47 posts · 5 votes
13y
Never ever paint over wallpaper! It will cause it to fall off the walls and the paint will be everywhere. Either do it your self or find someone else to do it. You can prolly hire someone to do it for less than 12 and hour. Buy the wall paper remover and a couple of scoring wheels and put em to work. You can sometimes steam it off the walls. Use some drywall compound to patch any rough spots where the wallpaper peals the drywall.
Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2013 · 347 posts · 191 votes
13y
I have not dealt with this on a flip property but I do have to speak up in defense of painting over wallpaper in some situations. It depends on the age of the property and the way in which the original wallpaper was stuck to the walls. My personal property was built in 1924 and had wallpaper on every surface including the ceilings. The ceiling paper came off in nice big sheets by just wetting it down. The paper on the walls however was put on with something much, much stronger and the paper itself was quite thick. Given this situation we decided to have the "mud guy" do a light coat of joint compound and cover the paper joins just like a drywall seam. Then that was primed with oil based primer. Then two good coats of nice flat Ben Moore deep color paint. Very lovely ten years later!
Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2013 · 347 posts · 191 votes
13y
Also, I should have mentioned that a big factor in our decision was the underlying lathe & plaster walls. It can be difficult to get a smooth look to the wall if you have to fix the plaster (for example if you get chunks falling out from the lathe which can happen when you try to strip off the wallpaper). If you are just working with drywall and newer wallpaper then the $$ to get some guys to remove it is probably worthwhile.
Flipper/Rehabber · St. Louis, MO · Member since 2008 · 489 posts · 300 votes
13y
Wallpaper is easy to take down, although can be tedious. You can do it one of two ways.
1.) Score it, like Stephen said and then use very hot water with removal solution and let it sit for about 5 min. You can use a scraper to scrape it off, just keep the scraper somewhat flat, so you won't damage the wall. Also you will need a flat razor for those pesky small pieces.
2.) a steamer
Hot water and patience are the best two things to have when removing wallpaper
Real Estate Investor · Williamson County, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 961 votes
13y
the Benjamin Moore paint site tells you how to paint over wallpaper. So it must be acceptable.
I have found that cheap paper is murder to remove, pealing off in little pieces. Nice quality paper holds together and is easier to remove. If you pull off the drywall face paper while removing wallpaper, there is a clear impregnating sealer/hardener that will allow you to mud/ sparkle over tears and prime without bubbles at Home Depot.
Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 4k+ votes
13y
I would say that after removing wallpaper (and wallpaper border) myself, it sucks. It really, really sucks. So even if you can do it yourself, hire it out. Or, if you wish to truly experience what a pain it is (because you're the type of person that touches burners when they're hot just to make sure) then you can start it yourself. :)
But yes, definitely get some cheap labor to handle it. It's tedious, but not rocket science.
Investor · Paradise Valley, AZ · Member since 2012 · 361 posts · 214 votes
13y
Just had the same issue with a flip. There were two bedrooms and two bath that were wallpapered. My painter spent two days removing, the drywall guy came in next day to texture and the painter painted on day 4. My painter charged me $600 and the drywall guy was $400.
Do not paint over the wallpaper, it will turn off buyers big time.
Flipper/Rehabber · St. Louis, MO · Member since 2008 · 489 posts · 300 votes
13y
Yes fabric softener works as well. The big key is HOT water. I don't know, call me crazy, but removing wallpaper has never bothered me. However time is money. So if you can find someone that will do it inexpensively, then I would go with them.
Contractor · Louisville, KY · Member since 2012 · 14 posts · 2 votes
13y
Personally, I wouldn't paint over it for several reasons. If you're going to hold this property then a future tenants kid WILL pick a hole in it and peel the whole thing off! So if you want to deal with future issues, then by all means paint your heart out. Never in the bathroom(humidity) or kitchen(grease). That's where all of the money is spent. Don't cut corners it will pay off in the end.
Now if you're going to flip it. Think as if you were going to buy it.
As an investor, I'm going to ask why the wall paper was painted. Then I'm going to wonder what else has been covered up. Mold or smoke/residue damage from an unreported fire/meth lab etc.. If its just one wall I wouldn't worry as much. Things as minor as this draws red flags for me. It will certainly reflect in my offer (pending a thorough inspection). Because down the road I know I'll have to repair it and anything else that I missed.
As a prospective homeowner I may or may not even notice it. The agent probably won't either and you're good. A lot of buyers put too much trust in their agents. You'll have a home warranty in place anyway. And have effectively "kicked the can down the road". It's really whatever your reputation can afford.
As a contractor, I sell craftsmanship and labor (material w/10% mark up) it's no secret. So when a DIY project turns bad or a cover up is discovered, it gets costly. The contractor has to undo what was done, then do it right. My name/reputation is on the line. I hold my subs financially responsible for their work as well. I'm not going to have someone file a complaint over the wall peeling off. I love repeat business! If I had to go back and fix something like that, I would be pi$$ed!!
My mission statement: "Do the right thing the right way the first time"
Real Estate Investor · Greenback, TN · Member since 2012 · 268 posts · 115 votes
13y
It might be possible to paint over wallpaper but I wouldn't do it. Depending on the quality and age of the wallpaper that's in your house, the paint might actually act like a wallpaper remover....which is NOT what you want to happen. The only thing worse than paying someone to take the paper down and prep the walls for paint would be....... paying your painter to paint the walls and then discovering that the paper is separating from the wall BECAUSE of the paint.....then realizing that you're going to have to pay someone to remove the paper and prep the walls.................then paying your painter again to re-paint the walls. Ugh!
Better safe than sorry....in my opinion. Good luck!
Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
13y
Just an update on this issue. I ended up getting a real good price from a company that is going to remove the wallpaper, compound any rough spots, and paint the whole house top to bottom.
In fact, he was so competitive that I have him doing my tile and demo work too. Giving him as much work as I am he gave me a bulk price.
Thank you to everyone for all of your advice on this issue, this is why BP in priceless.
I am closing on this flip August 30th and will be posting a running diary of the flip and posting it here on BP.
Wholesaler · Mishawaka, IN · Member since 2013 · 438 posts · 346 votes
12y
Painting over wallpaper is a waste of time and money. You can either remove it yourself, pay an arm and a leg to the guys you mentioned, hire some cheap labor to do it for you, or you can hang thin drywall, maybe 1/4" over the walls. I did that once because the whole house was wallpapered. It looked great, and was a lot faster, cheaper, and easier than removing it all.
Investor · Riverside, CA · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
12y
My buddy painted over the textured wallpaper in his house. I think it looks pretty cool. I guess it really depends on the quality of the wallpaper. Not sure how expensive it is to have it removed. That is one thing I have not had to deal with yet.
Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2012 · 431 posts · 106 votes
12y
I usually just budget to re-drywall wallpapered areas. You might be able to get away with having your drywall guy spray a thick coat of texture on top of the wallpaper before painting it, but usually the seams are pretty obvious.
Contractor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2008 · 978 posts · 985 votes
12y
HOW TO REMOVE WALLPAPER -
* Score with a tiger paw
* Fill a 2gal garden sprayer with a few cups of Jasco Epoxy remover and the rest with water
* Spray generously
* Wait 15-20 minutes
* Scrape with 4" Drywall knife
* Mud and sand rough areas
The key to this process is the garden sprayer and the jasco epoxy remover. The chemical is quite dangerous so I recommend goggles, rubber gloves, and possibly even a respirator if you're in a small area... but it will melt off the wallpaper like nothing you could believe.