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myhome_is_mycar's avatar
myhome_is_mycar
Explorer
Feb 17, 2015

Wallpaper on old wallpaper? Tips and tricks

I am remodelling my 1995 Sportsmen Travel Trailer 1800 and would like some advice on wallpapering. I have done a lot of internet research, and found enough sources to say its ok to wallpaper on top of the old (although not ideal). I tried to remove the old in the back of a cupboard and its not just hard and time consuming - ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. The wallpaper looks to be a vinyl paper not porous, adhered to the 'luan' wood walls found in most trailers. It would be nearly impossible to remove with any products or steamers.

SO on that note, I've read to use a primer directly on the old wallpaper to create an adhesion surface. Some say to only use the oil based primers from brands like KILZ or BINS and others say they've used water-based primers and they work fine. My worry is that the water based says it is 'mildew resistant' where oil-based (though smelly and awful, especially to work in a small space like a small RV) is waterproof and better to use on a wallpaper vinyl surface. Last thing I want is mold between the old and new wallpaper layers. Also, the wallpaper I purchased does not have adhesive on it. Do I use a vinyl to vinyl primer AND a wallpaper glue? Has anyone done this type of job before and if so, how did it go? Any advice? I have never wallpapered anything, spent a lot on the new wallpaper design, so I'd like to do it right from the start!
  • FrankShore's avatar
    FrankShore
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2015
    I wouldn't use any kind of chemical adhesive, I'd just sand the heck out of the surface with some rough sandpaper and test it in a small area first. It should work pretty well. Also, use a water based paint, you'll never get rid of the oil based paint smell. Just my two cents
  • riven1950's avatar
    riven1950
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2015
    I agree the paper is bonded to the backer board and almost impossible to remove.

    I have painted over these type walls but never tried to wall paper over them. Too close quarters for my patience level.

    Unless you are dead set on wall paper I would suggest an oil base primer like Kilz, then paint over it. You can use a texture paint or sponge to create a different look. Others may have advice on the wallpaper recommendations.
  • scbwr's avatar
    scbwr
    Explorer II
    Feb 17, 2015
    At our old house, I've used a primer intended for use under wallpaper and it worked well....think it was called Shields or something like it. Just use a good wallpaper paste on the wallpaper and be sure to wipe all the extra paste off with a wet cloth....change the water frequently. A seam roller is also helpful in getting the edges really tight.

    If you're not sure the old surface might show through the new wallpaper, use wallpaper liner. It's applied to the wall horizontally. Then prime before pasting new wallpaper. We did that to apply wallpaper over cheap paneling that had grooves and you could never see any hint of them after the project was completed.
  • myhome_is_mycar's avatar
    myhome_is_mycar
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2015
    Thanks for the info. So you recommend only sanding the surface and not using a primer at all? I am not painting the wallpaper, just trying to put wallpaper on top, but yes I'm worried about the oil based paint smell. Although I did rip out the front wall and replaced with plywood sheets and I stained the wood first, thought that smell wouldn't go away, but 1 month later and it doesn't smell like wood stain or paint.

  • scbwr's avatar
    scbwr
    Explorer II
    Feb 17, 2015
    For a camper, I think a good vinyl wallpaper would be more durable and better for cleaning.

    Other option would be to use paneling that looks like wallpaper....less chance of extreme temperature variations I.e. cold winter storage or hot summer storage causing wallpaper to peel.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Feb 17, 2015
    Inside cupboard and cabinets, I would clean and paint and forget it
    Use a complimentary color to go with the new wallpaper
    The walls and the inside of closets, would get new wallpaper
    I would not wallpaper inside kitchen , bath and living area cabinets

    And yes one of the talents and paying jobs, in my past was hanging wall paper

    It's a lot of work to do wallpaper correctly, humidity is a big factor
    Always cut long, don't stretch the paper while brushing it down, If you do it will shrink and pull back at the edges
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Feb 17, 2015
    scbwr wrote:
    For a camper, I think a good vinyl wallpaper would be more durable and better for cleaning.

    Other option would be to use paneling that looks like wallpaper....less chance of extreme temperature variations I.e. cold winter storage or hot summer storage causing wallpaper to peel.


    New paneling on top of old will be more work than wallpaper
    Add more weight, and a real pita
    The OEM MFG paneling and paper, was on the walls before the cabinets went in
  • myhome_is_mycar's avatar
    myhome_is_mycar
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2015
    MrWizard wrote:
    Inside cupboard and cabinets, I would clean and paint and forget it
    Use a complimentary color to go with the new wallpaper
    The walls and the inside of closets, would get new wallpaper
    I would not wallpaper inside kitchen , bath and living area cabinets

    And yes one of the talents and paying jobs, in my past was hanging wall paper

    It's a lot of work to do wallpaper correctly, humidity is a big factor
    Always cut long, don't stretch the paper while brushing it down, If you do it will shrink and pull back at the edges


    Thanks for the advice. I was only trying to remove the wallpaper inside the cupboards to see how well it comes off. I agree, I am going to paint inside all the cupboards, not wallpaper them. I might just leave the closet with the old wallpaper and only do the living area walls. I live in a very dry place so thankfully humidity is not a problem!
  • myhome_is_mycar's avatar
    myhome_is_mycar
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2015
    MrWizard wrote:
    scbwr wrote:
    For a camper, I think a good vinyl wallpaper would be more durable and better for cleaning.

    Other option would be to use paneling that looks like wallpaper....less chance of extreme temperature variations I.e. cold winter storage or hot summer storage causing wallpaper to peel.


    New paneling on top of old will be more work than wallpaper
    Add more weight, and a real pita
    The OEM MFG paneling and paper, was on the walls before the cabinets went in


    Agreed - I re-did the front wall with plywood and that was plenty of work itself. Especially since when you rip open a wall you want to insulate and seal it better while you have access to it like you'll see in the pics below. I wouldn't recommend putting paneling up over existing walls either *heavy*

    Before:

    After:
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Feb 17, 2015
    If your wallpaper is in good shape and not coming up, it's possible to wallpaper over it. I would roll wall paper paste on the new wallpaper first (even pre-pasted) and then apply. The wife used to hang wallpaper this way and it's very very difficult to get off with the added wallpaper paste.

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