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2nd Trimester
sarahns80
member
Nursery Painting ?s
sarahns80
member
We have never painted anything and just wondering how hard it is/how long it takes. Are you painting the nursery yourself or hiring someone? We have wallpaper in the room that needs to be painted, is it better to remove the wallpaper or can you paint over it? I have heard it's a pain to remove wallpaper. We are clueless on the whole painting thing.
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Re: Nursery Painting ?s
This! Yes, it can be a pain and take quite a while. To me it is worth it though. For some reason I can't stand when people paint over wallpaper
I think the walls look smoother if it is taken off. If there are any rental stores near you they make things called wallpaper steamers that literally is made to soften the wallpaper to make it easier to peel off. If you can't get one of those.....really really hot water and a bottle will work! Spray the walls (a good soaking) and let it soak in for a few minutes..then get to peeling! I kinda like doing it, lol. Grab one of those tools you would put spackling on the wall with and it will help too! Good luck!!
I don't think stripping wallpaper and painting is difficult but it is hard - as in hard labor.
As pp said, there are some good methods to make getting the paper down easier. Then you've got to tape all the window frames, door frames, base boards, ceiling (which I think is the hardest part), then paint (which may include several coats). It's not rocket science, but it is work. It takes a weekend at least because you have to let the coats of paint dry.
Since you've never done it before, at the very least I'd enlist some friends who are more experienced to help. They can walk you through it - plus the extra hands will make it go much faster!
It's not hard, but it takes some time and the proper tools.
Tools a spray bottle, white vinegar, a razor scraper (might be called a glass scraper), a sanding block and spackle (in a little tube), painter's tape, GOOD brushes, a roller, trays, a drop cloth.
To remove paper: fill the sprayer with equal parts white vinegar and HOT water. Spray it on the paper and let it soak in. Use the scraper to scraper the paper off. You don't need scorers or expensive chemicals or steamers.
Us the spackle and sanding block to fix any holes or smooth any rough areas. If there are just nail holes get the little tubes of spackle (like big tubes of toothpaste). A lot have a sponge on the tip to smooth, or you can just use a finger. For bigger jobs you may need to use a bucket of spackle and a putty knife.
Tips for painting: Primer is your friend. Your husband will need to do this part. If you are painting a dark red, get the primer tinted. You'll only need one coat, but it's a little more fogiving and will get you started. I find primer to be a pain in the butt to clean out of brushes so I do usually get a cheapo for this part that I can toss.
When that's dry start on your lightest color (usually ceiling and trim). No need to tape for this since you'll only be getting paint onto something that's still got to be painted. You can also use this time to see just how steady your hand is. If it's steady and you aren't getting paint on the other stuff, there's no need to tape. Taping is a PITA and if you can avoid it do so.
If you have to tape, make sure the area you are putting it on is clean and dry. Also read the tape directions. It sounds silly, but some is meant to be left up for a mininmum time, some a max.
Do two coats of paint. No matter how good the paint or primer, I find the second coat is ALWAYS worth it.
For real, hire somone.
I paint my house all the time (I love to change things up) and I plan on painting my nursery myself.
BUT removing wallpaper is no joke. It is time consuming and annoying. It isn't difficult, but it can give your arms quite the work out, plus you would be climbing up and down a ladder which isn't fun.
I'd hire someone to strip the wallpaper and prep the walls (including primer b/c you don't want to be around that smell/chemicals). Then get some good low VOC paint (I recommend Behr Ultra from HD) and paint away.
As a PP said, I never tape. It is a pain in the a$$ and you are more likely to be sloppy thinking the tape will save you. And yes, two coats is necessary.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT PAINT THE WALLPAPER!!!
I have renovated 2 old houses and have basically perfected wallpaper removal and painting, but removing wallpaper that has been painted is practically impossible! We actually gutted the room that will be our nursery and put up new drywall because it had not one, but TWO LAYERS of wallpaper that had been painted over multiple times. The corners were peeling and there were bubbles so it was not an option to just paint over it again. It was easier to just start over
Some wallpaper isn't that hard to remove. If you can find a corner and pull a piece off without anything but your fingers, you'll be ok. If it is on there pretty good, it will take more time. You may want to get some supplies and give it a shot yourself to save some $. Necessities: scorer, scrapers, remover spray (i have found the Pirahna brand concentrated remover is the best, mixed with hot water in a good spary bottle) and plastic to protect the floor (you have to SOAK the walls for it to work easily) or just ask someone at your local hardware store what you'll need.
If it becomes too much of a headache, you'd probably be better off getting help- either a friend that has done it before, or a professional. But IMO it is more fun and more rewarding to do it yourself. Although... maybe not while pregnant!