Can I Paint Over Wallpaper Glue?

Hi Rushika. I came across your question, asking can you paint over old wallpaper glue or not. I would say you can, but you shouldn’t! This is because the paint may reactivate the glue or the glue may weaken the paint. These two reasons are kind of enough to not go ahead with painting directly over wallpaper glue. I will give you an in-depth explanation.

Can you Paint Over Wallpaper Paste?

1. As I said, paint weakens when you do this. By mixing glue with paint, you compromise the paint’s strength and its ability to stick to the wall. Paint can later on start to crack before it should and also chip.

2. See, most of the interior wall paints and most wallpaper glues are water-based. When you paint over wallpaper glue, you reactivate the glue. This creates a clumpy or wavy texture on the walls that you wouldn’t want.

If you still want to paint over wallpaper glue, it is best to take some precautions. Apply a coating of oil-based primer to lock the glue behind the primer before you paint.

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My uncle has a big painting shop and recently my sister asked him, can I paint over wallpaper glue? He told her, it’s possible, but painting over wallpaper glue is not ideal. When I asked him the reason, he said the paint may reactivate the glue, creating an uneven texture, or weaken paint adhesion, leading to cracking and peeling. To minimise these issues, he further said to use an oil-based primer over the glue before painting. He also shared the detailed process, which I mentioned below.

Can You Paint Over Wall Paper Glue?

I know wallpaper can be an amazing solution for covering rough surfaces and adds design options that paint can’t easily replicate. However, my uncle informed my sister painting over wallpaper glue isn't ideal, but if you decide to do so, you can follow these steps:

1. Sand the Glue: Use a grit sandpaper to sand the wallpaper glue, focusing on high spots. Avoid pressing too hard to protect the drywall underneath.

2. Clean the Wall: Remove the sanding dust with a shop vacuum brush attachment. Avoid water, as it can rehydrate the glue.

3. Apply Oil-Based Primer: An oil-based primer will form a barrier between the glue and latex paint, preventing water in the paint from reactivating the paste.

4. Dry the Primer Thoroughly: Allow the primer to dry completely, typically for 8–24 hours. Longer drying times ensure a stronger base.

5. Add a Skim Coat: Apply a thin layer of drywall compound with a drywall knife or paint roller. Smooth with the knife for a finer finish.

6. Sand the Skim Coat: After the skim coat dries, sand it with fine-grit sandpaper for a smooth surface.

7. Prime and Paint: Prime the dried skim coat before painting with acrylic-latex paint.

8. Apply a Second Coat: Once the first coat cures, apply a second layer to cover any glue spots.

I hope now your query ‘can I paint over wallpaper paste’ is resolved.

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