How to paint vinyl wallpaper - the choice of composition and method of application
Many people are faced with a situation when it is time to make repairs, but there is no financial opportunity. You can change the color scheme of the wallpaper to refresh the room and bring a new flavor to it. However, this is not always allowed, since paper materials will simply get wet under the influence of the dye. One of the allowed options is vinyl wallpaper painting. However, this decision also requires compliance with certain rules.
Varieties and their characteristics
Vinyl wallpaper includes 2 layers - bottom and top. In addition, they are made from different materials. The lower layer can be made on a non-woven base. There are also paper options. The top layer is considered thinner and more decorative.
Manufacturers offer several types of vinyl wallpaper:
- Kitchenware - Includes 2 layers of vinyl. These materials are characterized by a high degree of strength and moisture resistance. They can be easily cleaned. Relief coatings that imitate tiles are often on sale. They are perfect for the kitchen or bathroom.Such coatings can be painted, but this is done quite rarely.
- Sparkling - they are based on the same vinyl. In this case, the top layer is PVC, and this material is applied by spraying. It is soft and textured and is also suitable for uneven walls. This variety easily resists the application of dyes. It is allowed to paint it up to 10 times. However, on average, it is recommended to do this 5-8 times.
- Flat - they differ in having a traditional bottom vinyl layer and a thin top layer in which other materials are added to PVC. These include silk fibers. These wallpapers are characterized by a shiny surface texture. They are allowed to be painted over, but this will cause image smoothing.
When buying vinyl wallpaper, it is important to pay attention to the "Paintable" brand. If it is absent, this material should not be painted.
Also, when choosing a wall covering, it is recommended to take into account its relief. The more intricate and fine the pattern on the wallpaper, the more difficult it is to paint it. A three-dimensional ornament requires more dyes and layers. If such processing is planned for the first time, then preference should be given to materials with the simplest possible pattern.
How to find the right paint
In addition to a wide selection of wallpapers, there are many varieties of dyes. To obtain a quality result, it is important to make the right choice. It should be borne in mind that the composition of the paint should not contain active or toxic chemical components.
For staining, it is not recommended to use dyes that differ in organic base - oil, enamel, alkyd. Also, adhesive and silicate options are not very suitable.
Water-based paints are considered a suitable solution for vinyl wallpaper. They are easy to apply. In addition, you can buy a composition of a certain shade or give it the desired color with the help of special dyes. Such materials make it possible to obtain a matte, satin or glossy surface.
Matte textures are ideal for large spaces. At the same time, glossy surfaces help to visually enlarge small dark rooms. Satin paints are suitable for rooms of all sizes.
Water paints can be of the following varieties:
- Water-based - they create an anti-static coating and have many other benefits. However, such materials cannot be used for wet cleaning. If you wipe the wall with a damp cloth, all the paint will remain on it.
- Dispersive - includes water and synthetic polymers. After applying the composition to the wall, the moisture evaporates and the solid particles form a smooth waterproof coating.
- Acrylic - dries quickly and does not blend when applied in different colors. Such dyes are resistant to washing, including with the use of cleaning products.
- Latex - they are expensive, but they allow you to get a uniform glossy coating, which has a long period of operation. The material is suitable for walls with old wallpaper.
Water paints are ideal for the bedroom, living room, children's room. Acrylic and latex compounds can be used in any premises. Dispersion coatings are suitable for kitchens and bathrooms.
Before buying paint, you need to calculate its quantity, taking into account the type of wallpaper, the size of the room and the desired color.
For a white dye, it is recommended to immediately purchase a color scheme.Its amount depends on the desired color saturation.
Usually paints are sold in a thick form. Therefore, they can be difficult to apply to walls. To obtain the required consistency, it is recommended to add clean water to the composition. As a result, it is necessary to achieve the consistency of sour cream.
It is also acceptable to repaint old walls with any type of paint. In order to achieve a uniform application and to avoid peeling of the substance, it is recommended to first clean the surface from dust and dirt, as well as remove imperfections. Sometimes an additional primer is needed.
Coloring techniques
It is allowed to paint the walls with vinyl wallpaper in different ways. In this case, several recommendations should be considered.
before sticking
In this case, the cut strips of wallpaper must be painted before sticking them on the walls. First of all, it is worth measuring the tape from the roll, cutting the desired length and gluing it only after 1 hour. This method allows you to obtain a nice base and an embossing of a lighter tone. The inner foam side absorbs the dye better, which helps to color the bumps more. As a result, you will be able to get a drawing with a lighter base.
After sticking
When using this method, it is recommended to glue the strips and let them dry completely. Only then are they allowed to be painted. This happens no earlier than 3 days later. This method provides a flat surface. Using a stencil, you can get an unusual pattern.
with wiping
When using this method, it is worth painting the wallpaper in the same way as after gluing, but then wiping the surface with a dry cloth. Thanks to this, it is possible to get a lighter pattern.
This method is based on the property of expanded PVC to be more slowly saturated with paint from the front face than from the base. This type of work will require 2 people: one will have to paint, the other will have to wipe. The procedure is considered very time-consuming.
Selective drawing
In this case, it is recommended to first apply the base paint, then with a brush and a different shade to emphasize the pattern on the wallpaper. This process is considered quite complicated and time-consuming. However, creatives can do it very well.
Secrets and subtleties
It is recommended that vinyl wallpapers are only painted after they have dried. Water-based dyes will wet the material and make it heavier. It may also damage the pattern or the canvas.
To paint vinyl wallpaper, it is recommended to do the following:
- Before starting work, tape the seams of wallpaper and doors. The same should be done in the plinth area.
- Cover the floor with a protective film.
- Prepare materials and tools.
- Dilute the required amount of dye. It is important to correctly calculate the volume so that the walls do not have different shades.
- Start by painting the ceiling, then move on to the walls.
- It is recommended to start painting the walls from the bottom up. When using a roller, you should not use foam rubber. It is able to disturb the texture of the wallpaper.
- Paint hard-to-reach areas with a brush.
- When you paint the wallpaper for the first time, apply 2 coats. To do this, apply the first coat, let it dry for 1 hour, then repaint.
To obtain a perfect result, it is important to respect the main recommendations of the experts:
- The paint should be of medium thickness. Too thick a consistency will disturb the relief of the pattern and reduce the number of possible stains.
- It will only be possible to assess the color after the coating has completely dried. Brilliant shine will not appear for 3 days.
- It is forbidden to paint wallpaper on a paper base. Even densely textured materials can sag, lose their pattern, chip or tear.
- To dye non-woven wallpaper, you must use a spray bottle. This will help achieve more even coverage.
- You need to start painting from the areas behind the furniture. This will help hide flaws that have arisen due to inexperience.
Advantages and disadvantages of dyeing vinyl wallpaper
Painting vinyl wallpaper has many advantages:
- The ability to change the interior of the room without significant costs.
- High working speed. The process is considered simple and not too laborious.
- The ability to implement various creative ideas.
At the same time, dyeing vinyl wallpaper has some disadvantages. The main disadvantage is that the material does not breathe under the paint. This causes stagnation of moisture and can lead to the activation of fungi. Therefore, this technique is generally not recommended for use in bedrooms or children's rooms.
Tinting vinyl wallpaper is considered a simple process. It does not take much time and does not require large financial investments.However, it is important to take into account that only sufficiently dense materials are suitable for painting. It is forbidden to paint on paper materials - they can tear, peel off or fall off.