The Painted Wallpaper Nightmare (And How to Actually Fix It)

You've just bought a house. You're planning the perfect colour scheme. Then you notice it - that weird texture on the walls. You tap it. It sounds hollow. Your heart sinks.

Someone painted over wallpaper. Probably multiple times.

I've been painting homes around Wanaka and Central Otago for 15 years, and let me tell you - this is more common than you'd think. About half the older homes I work on have this hidden surprise. The good news? It's totally fixable. The bad news? Well, let's just say some solutions are better than others.

Why This Happens (And Why It Matters)

Back in the day, painting over wallpaper was the quick fix. Stripping wallpaper was hard work, so people just slapped paint on top. Problem solved, right?

Not quite. That wallpaper is now trapped under layers of paint, slowly degrading. The adhesive breaks down. Moisture gets in. Before you know it, you've got bubbles, peeling edges, and seams showing through your fresh paint job.

But here's what most people don't realise: what you do next can either save you thousands or cost you a fortune down the track.

Your Four Options (Ranked From Quick-Fix to Bulletproof)

Option 1: Paint Over It Again (The Landlord Special)

Look, I get it. Sometimes you just need it done. Maybe you're selling. Maybe you're renting it out. Maybe you just can't face a big job right now.

When this actually works:

• The wallpaper is still firmly stuck (no bubbles or loose edges)
• You're okay with visible seams
• It's a temporary fix (1-2 years max)

How to do it properly:

1. Sand the entire surface lightly with 120-grit paper
2. Apply an oil-based sealer (crucial - water-based will reactivate the glue)
3. Use a quality low-sheen paint to hide imperfections
4. Cross your fingers

Reality check: This is putting a bandaid on a broken leg. It'll look okay for a while, but those problems will come back. Usually right before you have guests over.

Option 2: Skim Coat Over Everything (The Middle Ground)

This is what I recommend for most homeowners. It's more work than painting, but way less than full removal. You're essentially creating a new smooth surface over the old wallpaper.

The process:

1. Prime with oil-based sealer first (stops the wallpaper from bubbling)
2. Apply joint compound over all seams and textures
3. Sand smooth between coats (usually takes 2-3 coats)
4. Prime again with high-quality primer
5. Paint with confidence

Pro tip: Hire someone for this if you've never done it. Skim coating looks easy on YouTube. In reality, it takes practice to get that smooth finish. I've seen DIY attempts that looked like a topographical map of the Southern Alps.

Cost: About $15-25 per square metre if you hire a pro. Worth every cent.

Option 3: Strip It All Off (The Nuclear Option)

Sometimes you've got to go nuclear. If the wallpaper is already failing, or you want that perfect finish, removal is your only real option.

The brutal truth about wallpaper removal:

• It will take longer than you think (multiply your estimate by 3)
• You will find more layers underneath
• Your walls might need repairs after
• You will question all your life choices around day 2

The right way to do it:

1. Score the surface with a scoring tool
2. Apply wallpaper stripper (or fabric softener mixed with hot water - seriously)
3. Let it soak for 20 minutes
4. Start scraping with a wide putty knife
5. Steam stubborn areas
6. Clean residual glue with sugar soap
7. Repair any wall damage
8. Prime and paint

Time estimate: Budget a full weekend for one room. Have beer on hand.

Option 4: Cover With New Gib Board (The Professional's Secret)

Here's what many painters won't tell you: sometimes it's cheaper and faster to just install new gib board over the whole mess. Especially if you're dealing with multiple layers or damaged walls underneath.

When this makes sense:

• Multiple wallpaper layers
• Damaged plaster underneath
• You want perfect walls
• Your time is worth more than materials

The process:

1. Install 6mm gib board directly over existing walls
2. Tape and plaster joints
3. Prime and paint

Yes, you'll lose about 12mm of room space. No, you won't notice. Yes, it costs more upfront (about $40-60 per square metre installed). But you'll have perfect walls that'll last decades.

What NOT to Do (Learn From Others' Mistakes)

Never use water-based paint directly on wallpaper. The water reactivates the glue. I've seen entire walls bubble up like bubble wrap. Not fun.

Don't ignore loose edges. They'll only get worse. Fix them now or regret it later.

Don't use a heat gun to remove wallpaper. Unless you enjoy the smell of burning glue and potential fire hazards.

Don't assume one layer. I once found seven layers in a villa in Arrowtown. SEVEN. The bottom one was from the 1960s.

My Professional Recommendation

After 15 years of dealing with this exact problem, here's my honest advice:

If you're staying long-term: Strip it or cover with new gib. Do it once, do it right.

If you're selling soon: Skim coat. It'll look great for showings and the new owners can deal with it properly if they want.

If you're renting: Oil-based primer and paint. Just be upfront with tenants about what's under there.

If you're overwhelmed: Call a professional. Seriously. We handle wallpaper nightmares all the time and can save you weeks of frustration.

The Bottom Line

Painted-over wallpaper isn't the end of the world. It's fixable. But choosing the right fix depends on your situation, budget, and how long you plan to live with the results.

Whatever you do, don't just ignore it and hope it goes away. It won't. Trust me, I've seen what happens when people leave it for years. It's not pretty, and it's always more expensive to fix later.

Got painted wallpaper driving you mad? Drop me a line. I've seen it all, and there's always a solution that works.

Remember: Every wallpaper horror story ends with smooth, beautiful walls. You just need the right approach (and maybe a professional with experience in these exact situations).