Is skimming over wallpaper worth it? While it doesn’t always seem like the most obvious choice, and sometimes it isn’t, remember that as with any DIY or home improvement project, there’s rarely just one perfect solution. Sometimes, skimming over wallpaper might actually be the best option.
However, getting your preparation right is critical to success. Get past this stage, and it’s almost pointless Plastering the wall. The plaster will fail to adhere to the surface, and it won’t take long for it to crack and fall away from the wall or ceiling.
Here, professionals reveal when skimping on wallpaper is a wise choice and how to prepare well to ensure your efforts aren’t wasted.
Should you skim over the wallpaper?
The simple answer is that you can, but it’s rarely a recommended option. It is more of a last resort.
Angelo Patrizzi, Founder New home improvementshares his thoughts. “You can, but frankly, I wouldn’t recommend it most of the time. After 15 years of doing this kind of work, I’ve seen people try it time and time again—and I’ve seen it fail too often.
“Plaster needs a stable, porous surface to adhere properly, which wallpaper doesn’t provide,” he explains. This means that a poor skim coat can lead to more work later. “If it’s not done right, you’ll have to do it all over again in six months,” warns Angelo.
Buy these tools for skimming on wallpaper
This 50mm x 20m self-adhesive scrim tape has a fine mesh, making it ideal for covering seams and surface imperfections and is ready for a skim coat of plaster.
An easy-to-apply white plaster, ideal for skim coats due to its self-leveling formula. You simply roll with the appropriate roller and smooth with a skimming blade
Oaks SpeedSkim Plaster Skimming Finishing Rule
Available in sizes from 300 mm to 1200 mm, this skimming spatula features an ultra-fine 0.3mm stainless steel blade and a tough aluminum handle.
Angelo Patrizzi runs Nuva Home Improvements, a hands-on renovation company based in Berkshire, UK. They specialize in whole house renovations, extensions, loft conversions, kitchens and bathrooms.
Reasons why skimming over wallpaper is a good idea
While skimming over wallpaper isn’t the first choice, there are reasons why you might need to. “If you only have one layer of paper, it hangs well, and the edges don’t lift, and if the customer is desperate for a quick fix, skimming over wallpaper can make sense,” says Angelo Petrizzi, citing additional reasons below why you think it’s the right choice.
- Keep the wall intact – “Usually it’s about what’s underneath,” says Angelo. “In older homes, the wallpaper sometimes holds the wall together and can be a nightmare to take off.”
- To get rid of texture and imperfections – Skimming over the wallpaper can also save trouble Removing textured wallpaper and treating any imperfections in the wall. Prepare properly, and all these problems can disappear behind the plaster skim.
- It can be quick and easy – If you have stubborn wallpaper that will take a lot of steaming and scraping to remove the wallpaper, then Skim coat There is a faster and easier option.
Can I skim over any type of wallpaper?
Some types of wallpaper work better than others for being hidden under a skim coat. “Heavily lining paper The easiest because it gives a proper grip to the plaster. Standard printed wallpaper works if properly glued,” shares Angelo Patrizzi.
However, other types of wallpaper should be avoided, he warns. “Vinyl wallpaper is a lost cause; plaster just won’t stick to its non-porous surface. Anaglypta or any heavily textured wallpaper—forget it. Texture shows, adhesion is unreliable, and the finished look once painted is horrible.”
Steps to prepare wallpaper for skimming
If you decide to go ahead with wallpaper, you need to do your preparation properly. The more time spent in preparation, the better the result. Scott Godfrey, construction trade consultant Black HammerShares where to start.
“Start by proving the wallpaper is truly sound. Pick an obscure corner or seam and try to lift it. If it wants to come off with gentle effort, it needs stripping rather than skimming,” he says.
However, if it is a good candidate for skimming. Follow these steps for the best end result.
1. Secure loose sections
“Walk up the wall and press along the joints and overlaps,” says Scott. “Any loose seams should be re-glued and flattened before going any further. Next, trim any blisters and soft bubbles back to firm edges so you don’t trap any voids under the plaster.”
2. Clean surface
Next you need to make sure that the surface is completely clean. “Get rid of any surface contamination such as grease or polish residue with a suitable degreaser and allow to dry,” advises Scott. “Gently sand the surface to knock back any shine and high spots, as a slightly dull surface is easier to clean than a smooth surface.”
3. Prime surface
This is a key step in providing a proper bonding surface so that the plaster does not soak, re-wet the paste or slip.
“Use a problem-surface sealer or grit-bonding primer (such as this Sika Fabbond Blue Grit Plasterers Grip Coat from Screwfix) that are rated for difficult backgrounds like wallpaper,” explains Scott. “The goal is to lock down the paper face and paste and give a consistent key to the skim coat.”
4. Add a skim coat
After priming, you need to strengthen any weak lines. “Bad scrim tape over the seams of the wallpaper and any cracks in the substrate that are visible or suspicious,” recommends Scott, “then apply plaster in two thin coats, rather than trying to cover everything in one heavy pass.
“Keeping the coats tight reduces the amount of water sitting on the wall and reduces stress when the plaster is green, which is often when failure starts,” he explains.
To apply a skim coat, use a textured roller, eg Rollingdog 9 Inch Drywall Skimming Roller from Amazonand skimming blades.
5 Dry naturally
“Finally, let dry with gentle ventilation rather than forced heat,” advises Scott. “Rapid drying can encourage cracking, especially where wallpaper joints sit under the finish,” he warns.
This final step is important to follow if you want to ensure a secure finish of the skim to wallpaper.
Scott Godfrey has over 20 years of experience in the business. He has extensive experience in both bespoke and large-scale projects, including luxury home builds and renovations.
FAQs
Would it be as good a finish as skimming a bare wall?
Angelo Petrizzi says, “It will never be as stable as skimming on a properly prepared wall, but if you do everything right, it can last for years. However, it is always weaker than starting from scratch.”
Walls aren’t the only surface you can skim on wallpaper; Wallpapered ceiling The same can be tackled, but proceed with caution, says Angelo.
“Ceilings are a whole different story; if the bond fails there, gravity takes over, and you end up with disaster,” he warns. “I’m more cautious about sanding ceilings than walls. On walls, you have a little more wiggle room.
“Any movement or dampness behind the skim on the walls or ceiling will cause trouble sooner or later,” he adds, so it’s important to make sure any preparation is done well.
What could go wrong?
In the short term, a scheme can start to fail almost immediately, shares Angelo Patrizzi. “A common problem is that the wallpaper skims away as it dries, because the paper has shifted or not stuck properly.” This can be dangerous and messy, especially on a skimmed ceiling.
“Ceilings are dangerous; sections can fall, and they’re a nightmare to clean,” advises Angelo, adding that other problems that can occur include “bubbles from trapped moisture and hollow spots where the plaster never got a good grip.”
Skimming can also trap moisture, leading to long-term problems, including wet patches which can cause mold growth and staining. Ultimately, this can lead to plaster failure.
“If you ever need to redo a wall, you’re dealing with a mixed mess of plaster and paper,” says Angelo. “It’s very hard to get it back down. Skipping steps in the beginning usually means triple the work later,” he concludes.
Skimming over wallpaper will give you a simple, smart wall, ideal for a variety of decorative options, but you’ll still need to prepare the plaster before painting or re-wallpapering. Check out our guides Wallpapering over new plaster And New plaster painting To get it right.
