Painting Kitchen walls that currently have wallpaper

[donxkey]

Hello

I have just moved into a new house and want to update the kitchen.

Most of the walls are already covered in wallpaper which has picked up a lot of kitchen grease over the years.

What is the best way for me to go about painting these walls?

Should I strip the paper?

Can I just give it all a good sugar soap wash and then paint on top of the paper?

Which paint would you recommend me using?

Thanks in advance
Clare

 

[TheDec]

Clare.

I think the wallpaper really should be removed, when done there will be a dependance as to whether your left with a painted surface or plaster skim. If painted wash down the walls with sugar soap and then wash again with warm water to ensure the removal of all residue. Very important to do this.

If after removal you are left with a skim finish in other words the wall was not prepainted, forget the sugar soap and just use warm water changing the water and cloth or sponge at regular intervals. It is also a good idea to have to hand a good clean edged scraper to help with the removal of the old paste.

Dec.

 

[donxkey]

Hi Dec

Thanks that's very helpful. Is the best way to remove wallpaper by using a steamer? Hopefully I can convince my housemates that this is a great idea!

Clare

 

[TheDec]

Clare some papers are dry strippable and will come off easily, if not, sand over the paper and a steamer will do the rest.

Dec.