Can You Paint Over Contact Paper? Explained for Every DIY Enthusiast

Want to repaint your wall or furniture, but it has contact paper on it? Want to know if you can paint over it and save yourself the hassle of peeling it off?

Well, here’s the catch:

If you search “Can you paint over contact paper” on the internet, you’ll find a few things. However, they will hardly serve your purpose.

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll tell you all about painting over contact paper.

Moreover, we’ll also show you how you can do it, along with some pointers that’ll make your life a lot easier.

So, let’s start with the question in your head.

Can You Paint Over Contact Paper?

Well, technically, you can paint on contact paper. But with the right amount of primer on. We’ll be exploring more of that as we move further into the article.

So, it’s essential that you stick around and pay attention to all of this.

But first, we’ll be checking the types of contact paper you can use in the next section.

Types of Contact Paper

Before we get to how you can paint on contact paper, we’ll go through the kinds of contact paper. Because you must know what you’re working with.

So, how many kinds of contact paper are there?

Well, you’ll find three types of contact paper in the market. Namely:

1. Standard Contact Paper: You’ll usually find this kind on walls and wardrobe.
2. Fabric Contact Paper: This kind is usually used for giving your room a premium look.
3. Clear Contact Paper: People usually use this kind on transparent surfaces.

Now, these contact papers come in different shapes and sizes, but that’s not an issue. What matters is that you use the right kind of contact paper in the right place.

So, how’ll you be painting over contact paper?

We’ll precisely explore that soon, but first, let’s check what you’ll need.

Equipment You Need

• Surface Cleaner
• Primer-Sealer
• Paint
• Paint Roller + Extension
• Paint Tray

Painting Over Contact Paper In 3 Easy Steps

The steps that we’ll show you can be used for every kind of contact paper. But, in case of exceptions, we’ll point them out in the steps.

So, here goes:

Step 1 of 3: Clean the Contact Paper

Firstly, we must clean the contact paper before applying the primer to the contact paper. Otherwise, even the best of primers will fail and won’t stick on it if painted on dust and oil.

So, clean any grease or oil that you find. Don’t leave the elbow grease out.

Now, what do you use for cleaning?

For this, you can use any cleaner that you want. But it must be safe for the contact paper.

Now, let’s talk about how you can apply the primer.

Step 2 of 3: Apply Primer

Secondly, we need to make a coat of glue on the contact paper to make it paintable. So, use a good primer-sealer to get the job done.

We must use the best primer-sealer to make the coat long-lasting and paintable. You’ll find them reasonably available in online stores.

Step 3 of 3: Paint

Lastly, we have to paint the surface the way we want to. Sounds easy, doesn’t it?

Well here’s what’s crazy:

You’ve to be careful about the paint too. Make sure the paint doesn’t have a chemical make-up that might damage the coat of primer-sealer.

Here’s a pleasing fact:

Other than the damaging kind, you can use any type of paint that you want. The primer-seal works wonders in making a paintable surface.

So, go crazy on the contact paper now. Create a masterpiece or just throw some paint at it. The sky’s the limit.

You can also use spray paint over contact paper. So, why not try some graffiti?

Some Dos and Don’ts

Now that you know what to do, we’ll leave you some pointers on what you can do and what you can’t.

Dos:

Are you wondering what to do with clear contact paper?

Use it on windows. The light makes it look better if painted right.

Don’ts:

Don’t expose the contact paper to much heat. Contact paper doesn’t hold up well to moisture.

Don’t use sandpaper to clean the surface. The abrasions left by sandpaper are pretty prominent and will definitely leave a mark.

Don’t use paint that seeps into the seams and dissolves the primer-seal coat.

FAQs

Conclusion

Here’s all we had on the answer to your question, “Can You Paint Over Contact Paper?”

So, now we’d like to know your thoughts on some stuff.

What kind of Contact Paper are you using?

Did our article help?

Did we leave anything out?

Let us know in the comments below.