Recently, in our country, when choosing finishing materials, people have begun to adhere to European standards. And this means a complete rejection of bright vinyl and acrylic wallpaper with patterns. Instead, when renovating, it is increasingly common to simply paint the walls or glue wallpaper to paint. This solution allows you not only to create a stylish and beautiful interior, but also to make wall coverings more practical and durable.
But in this regard, some people have a question - is it possible not to paint the wallpaper before painting? After all, such canvases look excellent even without additional coating, although they are made only in one light color. But before we answer, let’s take a closer look at the material itself and some of the nuances of working with it.
Wallpaper for painting
In stores today you can find a lot of wallpaper from a wide variety of materials - artificial, natural or a mixture of both. But only a few types are produced for painting:
- Paper – two-layer (duplex) and three-layer (triplex). They are made a little thicker than standard analogues and impregnated with a special waterproof substance so that they do not spread out during operation. But still, on our list it is the fastest wearing material with a service life of no more than 4 years. The main advantage is that paper wallpaper is the cheapest.
- Glass wallpaper. A modern high-strength material made using a special technology, when fiberglass threads are heated and intertwined. Fiberglass wallpaper usually has a texture in the form of Christmas trees, matting or cobwebs. This material is resistant, durable, non-toxic and can last 10-15 years. The downside is the high cost, which is why it is not always advisable to use it in a residential area, as well as the need to protect yourself from fiberglass chips during operation.
- Non-woven. They are most widely used in everyday life due to the optimal price-quality ratio. They are more practical and durable compared to paper and are much cheaper than glass wallpaper. But they have a fragile top layer and are difficult to work with.
- Linkcrust. Made of paper or fabric impregnated with linseed oil, wax, chalk and some other components. They are considered the best, but many buyers are put off by the high price.
We have decided on the types of coverage. And in order to understand whether it is possible not to paint the wallpaper before painting, we will dwell in more detail on the choice of paint coating.
How long does it take for wallpaper to dry after hanging?
When organizing repairs, it is important to clearly plan all operations. Calculate the drying time for wallpaper sheets pasted for painting. It is indicated by manufacturers in the instructions placed on the rolls. Ranges from 24 to 48 hours. Depends on the type of wallpaper.
Non-woven
Drying time under natural conditions is 48 hours. In the first 24 hours, moisture is released. On the second day - polymerization of the glue. In rooms with high humidity (more than 60%), the wallpaper takes 4 days to dry. In this period:
- It is prohibited to use heating and heating devices that can damage the adhesive sheets.
- The room temperature must be maintained at least 18 °C.
- Vents/windows must be closed.
Paper
They have no equal in terms of drying speed. They have a porous structure, high conductivity of air and moisture. Without artificial ventilation and heating, they dry for a minimum of 8, maximum of 20 hours.
Glass wallpaper
Drying time is from 8 to 24 hours. Depends on the level of humidity, ambient temperature, composition and consistency of the glue used. Within a day, the glass fibers/glass threads included in their composition will be fixed and the surface will be ready for painting.
Vinyl
The following factors affect the drying speed:
- Type of base: dry on paper for 18 to 24 hours;
- on non-woven fabric - two days.
Wallpaper paint
Which paint to choose for wallpaper? Many people prefer to buy alkyd enamels. They create a hard, even layer that is not afraid of wear and moisture; in addition, this coating can be washed. But when painting wallpaper with alkyd enamels, the disadvantages of this type of paintwork also appear: the paint does not let in not only moisture, but also air, which creates the effect of a thermos in the room, the material releases toxins during the drying process and smoothes out the relief on the wallpaper due to its dense structure. Therefore, it is better to abandon alkyd enamels, as well as oil paints with similar properties.
Instead, you should choose a water-based emulsion. Such a coating will be harmless and quite durable, although with frequent wet cleaning, water-based paint is quickly washed off.
But the best option for painting wallpaper would be latex paint - this is a material with an almost ideal ratio of price, strength, safety and durability.
How to paint wallpaper correctly?
You can paint the surface beautifully yourself. To do this, you need to take into account some features of the procedure. The quality of the result obtained is influenced by the following points:
- the type of base used in the manufacture of wallpaper;
- the type of paint used to coat the surface;
- preparation of the base.
Painting with water-based paint is considered a difficult task. At the same time, many decide to apply a complex pattern, which requires a stencil.
Is it possible not to paint wallpaper before painting?
Once the wallpaper is pasted, it looks quite attractive on its own. The walls in the room are light, slightly embossed, which makes it seem more spacious and lighter. In this regard, some people have a question - is it possible not to paint the wallpaper before painting?
There is no clear answer to this. Everything will depend on several nuances. Fiberglass is a durable material in itself; it does not need to be additionally reinforced with paintwork. Other types have a looser top layer and can wear out quickly. So if you leave paper or non-woven wallpaper without painting in the bedroom, it will last quite a long time. In the children's room - several times less. And in the kitchen or in the hallway it is better not to leave wallpaper without paint, as it will instantly become unusable.
If, after some time, you decide to paint the wallpaper, you should remember that the coating has become dusty over time, which will prevent the paintwork from laying flat. In this case, the walls must first be vacuumed and primed.
Painting in two colors
Many designers paint walls in different colors when decorating rooms. In this way, it is possible to perform a kind of zoning. Apartment owners themselves can use this technology, having decided in advance on the location and color of the coating. In this case, each subsequent section will be finished only after the previous one has dried. To create a clear separation of the two colors, you can use a wide spatula.
Today there are several ways to combine colors that allow you to:
- make gradient transitions;
- combine colors that are similar in shades;
- experiment with different palettes.
To hide transitions, there are special solutions, for example, moldings. These elements are made of polymers and are easily fixed to the wall and ceiling. Options for moldings made of wood or plaster are also possible, but they are preferable to use in rooms furnished with a large amount of wooden furniture.
Paint application technology
How to paint wallpaper for painting on a wall? In the photo offered in the article, you can see one of the techniques for painting wallpaper - using a stencil. This option provides a wide field for realizing your own creative potential.
So, here's how to paint wallpaper on a wall:
- Paste the wallpaper and wait until it dries completely.
- Prepare paints and all the necessary tools - rollers, brushes, trays, stencils, sponges, etc.
- Dilute the paint with the color (immediately in the required volume, since it is impossible to achieve a perfect match of shades in parts) and make test strokes.
- Evaluate the result.
- Proceed to apply the base layer - on the main surface with a roller or spray, in the corners - with a brush.
- The last stage is creative. You can create a beautiful mosaic design using a sponge or apply a design using a stencil.
Experimenters can try their hand at more complex techniques, for example, painting a wall or canvas from the inside out in a bright color. Due to the translucency and overlay of tones, an interesting effect will be created.
What kind of canvases can be painted?
Tip
Not all materials can be painted. Those of them that are already covered with a pattern are usually very fragile, and the coloring pigment will lie unevenly on them, and may soon peel off.
Coatings with special impregnation were invented. They make the canvas stronger, and by partially absorbing the coloring pigment, they securely fix the strip to the surface.
The base can consist of any material, but three types of wallpaper are most often used:
- Paper. A thick layer of cellulose fiber impregnated with a primer. The material is durable and will hide some unevenness in the walls. The rolls are quite cheap and easy to handle.
- Non-woven. Non-woven material is a non-woven material made from small compressed, usually synthetic fibers. The surface of the canvas is additionally treated with foamed vinyl, which gives the material a given texture.
- Glass wallpaper. This is a composite material - an interweaving of glass and paper threads. quite expensive canvas, has many advantages. Glass wallpaper hides wall defects well, is non-flammable, and can serve as an additional moisture and vapor barrier. They can often be found in public places due to their increased wear resistance.
Wallpaper on the ceiling
Also, during renovations, the question often arises about whether it is possible not to paint the wallpaper before painting the ceiling. The ceiling covering wears out much less than the same on the walls. Therefore, it does not need an additional layer of protection so much.
This means that for those who are wondering whether it is possible not to paint wallpaper on the ceiling, the answer is unequivocal - yes, it is possible. But everywhere there are subtleties. The ceiling is often cleaned down to the concrete slab before pasting. And in this case, it will show through the canvas unsightly. In the case where a layer of paintwork is applied over the material, this situation is not critical. But when the decision is made to leave the wallpaper in its original form, then you need to somehow hide the gray concrete, for example, by painting the slab or covering it with finishing putty in several layers.
If you need to replace dark colors with light ones
High-quality paintable coatings can be repainted many times. What if the next layer should be lighter than the previous one?
Many people who have tried to apply a coat of light paint over existing dark paint have complained that it takes more than five coats to completely change the color. It takes a lot of money, paint and effort.
If you don’t want to re-glue, but you need to change the tone from dark to light, you need to put another one on top of the main layer. Absolutely white. It will act as a primer and help you quickly change color. One or two layers of a new color are enough to completely change the color of the wall.
Re-dyeing
The good thing about paintable wallpaper is that it can be updated several times. Paper ones can be repainted 1-2 times, non-woven ones - 4-5 times, glass wallpaper can withstand up to 8-10 layers of paintwork. We offer instructions on how to repaint wallpaper on a wall:
- Assess the condition of the wallpaper: it should adhere well to the wall and not be damaged.
- Pay attention to the shaded relief: each layer fills the depressions more and more, and the structure of the canvas is smoothed out. It might be better to replace the wallpaper.
- Before applying paint, be sure to do a wet cleaning: wash away all dirt and dust. Wait for it to dry.
- You can start painting.
- In cases where the result is far from ideal, you can repeat the process after the previous layer has completely dried.
How to paint correctly: work order
- Clear the room of bulky furniture. If this is not possible, cover it with film.
- Cover with tape all elements that do not need to be painted.
- Cover the floor with protective material.
- Wear work clothes, a hat and gloves so you don't have to wash off the paint.
- To ensure that no lint remains on the surface from the new rollers, roll them over masking tape; the lint will remain on the adhesive surface.
- Pour enough paint into the cuvette so that it fills the recess, but does not cover the grooved surface.
- Start coloring from the top. Use a brush to paint a 5-7 cm wide outline around the perimeter of the ceiling. Use a stepladder.
- Roll the small roller in the ditch until it is completely saturated with paint. Remove excess on a corrugated surface.
- Paint the walls along the ceiling the width of the roller.
- Change the roller to a large one and saturate it with paint.
- Paint the walls from top to bottom using vertical movements. Try to apply the paint evenly and not saturate the base.
- Paint hard-to-reach areas and areas down to the floor with a small roller and brush.
- After the paint has dried, apply a second coat.
- Remove splashes with a rag.
- After use, rinse the rollers and brushes and dry them.
Useful tips
And finally, a few tips:
- To prevent the paint from drying too quickly during work and creating a layering effect, you need to ensure high air humidity using a humidifier or a commonplace bowl of hot water.
- If you plan to repaint the wallpaper several times, choose more expensive and high-quality materials.
- Don't buy glossy paint. In combination with the relief on the wall it will look very unattractive.
- Avoid drafts while working.
- Take care of your own safety - wear personal protective equipment and be sure to turn off the power to the electrical wiring to avoid accidents.
Paper wallpaper: main characteristics
Paper wallpaper consists of two (sometimes three) layers, between which sawdust is placed. Thanks to these elements, the wallpaper acquires relief. Sawdust is placed chaotically and often creates the most intricate texture that can satisfy the needs of even the most demanding client. The top layer of paper wallpaper is usually impregnated with a water-repellent composition. This ensures a high level of moisture resistance and strength.
The main advantages of paper wallpaper are compliance with all environmental standards, a wide range of textures and low cost. When gluing this type of wallpaper, special care is required: folds or stretches may form on it due to the fact that the glue is applied directly to the canvas. The maximum number of colors that paper wallpaper can withstand is five. But if the texture of the material is weakly expressed, after the third painting the surface becomes almost flat. Paper wallpaper also requires delicate handling. Any mechanical damage must be promptly restored, and this significantly reduces the service life of the wallpaper.
