Painting vinyl wallpaper

[Bargain Bucket]

Due to family circumstances last year, I paid a professional to wallpaper our hall, stairs and landing. Latterly we've noticed it seems as if the wallpaper is somewhat see-through (I can see wall dimensions written in pencil on the walls in a couple of places) and the paper is just too white for our taste. I can remedy this by painting it but it's a vinyl wallpaper so will need some kind of base/sealing coat before painting with a final colour coat. There appear to be a few choices out there but I'm asking (pretty please) for personal recommendations of what product to use to prepare the vinyl wallpaper for emulsioning in our chosen colour.

Many thanks.

 

[Johnny Allround]

Did he not line the wall before papering? Anyway any decent eggshell finish will do the job nicely. Dulux have a nice range. Hope this helps.

 

[Johnny Allround]

This is eggshell finish I have it in my hallway.

 

[Bargain Bucket]

No he didn't like as the walls were in great condition. Neither of us knew that it would be somewhat see through once dried.

 

[conny]

Unfortunately you won't be able to blame the paper hanger either.
You could possibly give the wallpaper a light scrubbing over with some wire wool to key the surface or maybe apply a coat of primer before using an emulsion of your choice.
I would never use gloss on paper but you can get some nice shades in eggshell or satin, which are usually water based so not too smelly. Bear in mind, when you paint over paper it may bubble a bit but they will flatten out once the paper dries.

 

[OchAye]

No wire wool on surfaces that will be painted with water based paints. Left overs can produce rust marks. There is this product http://www.zinsseruk.com/product/wallpaper-cover-up/ that might help as a primer coat, then paint with whatever you like. I have never used it.

 

[Bargain Bucket]

Many thanks for the replies. I appreciate it.