Our experience is that the seams will show somewhat over time - even if they don't actually start to curl up or separate. Also, and even more problematic, is that every bubble and imperfection in the wallpaper or underlying wall will be magnified by painting. Also, if the wallpaper is at all rounded in the corners (rather than being cut to make a sharp corner) then there can be unevenness and even cracking of the paint. While it is a huge pain and seems to be a never ending task, it is worth it to remove it.

if it really was pasted to the wall without priming beneath it, you wont be able to remove it without damaging the wallboard beneath. might as well paint over it, but be prepared to replace the wallboard down the road if it doesnt come out ok, you'd end up doing that anyway.

Wallpaper can be removed, some is just more difficult than others. Take the time and remove it.

I LOVE to paint over textured wallpaper because of the unique look it has. Also, depending on the color of the paper, or whether the textured part has its own color, the right shade of paint can really make it uncommonly beautiful. For example i bought this house and hate the ghastly wallpaper with gold leaves. Not pretty gold leaves. I used a light shade of Robin Eggish turquoise, kind of the Tiffany's gift box color, (cause the only thing i can afford from Tiffany's are the empty boxes, lol). I added a lot of clear gel medium to the paint so I could make the color go farther, (and it's cheaper), and so I could maintain a bit of translucency and still have the thickness I wanted. Now the raised ugly tan gold leaves look like hints of gold scroll-like texture coming through the Tiffany Blue color. And if you like the slightly textured look, you don't have to worty so much about perfect lines, etc.



textured route

Vinegar and water in a spritz bottle, steamer and scrapper! Worked like a charm for me.

I used joint compound over paneling to smooth them out and paint, I would try mudding a wall and see if it sticks or loosens up the wall paper or just paint over it, but in time you will have to take it off and maybe the moisture from the paint will make it come off easier. Good luck.

Modge Podge = Magic in a Million Ways:)

After cleaning ferociously, I use Modge Podge and brush over all the seams, as well as under and over any area where the wallpaper has come unglued. I love the newer heavy duty products they have! It dries hard and clear, and although it has a thickness, it doesn't create hard edges. They just kind of disappear. If the seams are really mismatched or not joined perfectly, the Modge Podge wont fix that, you will still see the seam after painting. But it does fill it in somewhat so they aren't as noticeable as they would have been. And if the seams are already perfectly lined up, the Modge Podge just seals it all together so when you get to the painting step, the seams are no longer seams, but one flat surface. I next use one coat of Kilz primer which further adds uniformity to your surface. It also makes the paint stick really well and you don't have to paint more than one coat of paint to get the full intensity of your color.