Wallpapering

[OJ]

Hi, we have a bedroom which was papered 20 years ago with a shiny-surfaced paper, almost like a vinyl.

I presume I cannot paper straight over that - but if I peel the top layer off, could I paper on the next layer, which is just the flat/dull backing paper paper, or would that bubble once the paste makes contact with it?

Any advice would be very welcome....

 

[misterhelpful]

In theory you should be able to paper over it, but if you do, make sure the joins are not in the same place.
I always remove all paper, and would rather re-line the walls if necessary because, as you rightly say, the backing paper can sometimes bubble. If there are patches of backing paper missing, then I would certainly recommend removing it all.