Homeowners living in the Washington, D.C. region have many questions about interior house painting, and we are always happy to answer them. One theme we have noticed in people's painting inquiries is whether or not you can paint over various surfaces and issues. Can I just paint over wallpaper? Can't I just paint my kitchen cabinets? Can I just paint over water stains? We thought it might be a helpful idea to address a bunch of those types of questions all at once.

The truth is that with the right preparation, you can paint over just about anything! However, it would be best to keep reading to see if your specific interior painting question is answered below. It is probably not as simple as just putting new paint on your wall or ceiling.

Also, note that because we are covering so many topics here, none of them are treated in depth. You may need more detailed instructions if you plan to do any of these house painting tasks yourself.

Can I Just Paint over Mold?

If a wall has minor mold on it, there are three steps you need to take prior to painting. First, you need to eliminate the source of the moisture that caused the mold. Next, use a strong mold-killing spray to make sure all spores are dead, and then clean the area with soap and water. Once the area has dried, apply a stain-blocking primer to cover all signs of mold or mildew.

Finally, you are ready to repaint. Instead of just applying interior paint to the affected area, you would do best to paint the whole wall.

Can I Paint over Stained Wood?

Stained wood is typically treated in such a way that it repels water and stains. That same surface treatment makes it difficult for interior paint to adhere to your stained wood surfaces.

In order to paint stained wood, you need to begin by lightly sanding the whole surface to remove any glossiness or protective coating. Make sure you wear breathing protection as you do this! Next, apply a coat of primer that is intended for use on bare wood. Now, select your top coat and have fun painting!

Can I Just Paint over Wallpaper?

Honestly, we don't recommend this choice. It is possible, but in most cases, homeowners end up regretting it when they paint over wallpaper. However, it is feasible to do this with good results if all of the following are true:

• The wallpaper is securely adhered everywhere. There are no peeling or loose areas.
• The wallpaper is completely smooth, including at all the seams. No texture or seams will show through the top coat.
• The wallpaper is not a water-resistant vinyl or plastic.

If this is the case, you can prime and then paint over your wallpaper.

Again, we recommend wallpaper removal as a better option. If you don't want to tackle this yourself, your interior house painting company would be happy to do it for you!

Can I Paint over My Kitchen Cabinets?

If your wooden cabinets have already been painted, it is very possible to paint over them. If they are stained wood, see the instructions above for what needs to happen first. For kitchen cabinets with a thermofoil coating, painting is a bit more of an "iffy" proposition.

Because kitchen cabinets are a highly-visible item, you really want them to look great. And because they are a high-traffic, frequently-used item, you need them to be resilient. It can be difficult to get the kind of beautiful finish and durable protection you need when you are painting as a do-it-yourselfer. You would probably do best to hire a professional interior painter who has the skills, spray equipment and product knowledge to do the kitchen cabinet painting expertly. You will love the results!

Can I Just Paint over Water Stains on the Ceiling?

Similar to what we said about mold, the essential first step is to figure out why there are water stains, and to make sure the source of the water is stopped. Once you are sure this is taken care of, apply a stain-blocking primer to the surface, then use ceiling paint to recoat the whole ceiling.

Can I Just Paint over Rust?

Moderate rust can be painted over if you take the proper steps. The first stage involves using a wire brush to remove any loose material, whether it is flaking paint or rusting metal. Once the surface is sound, apply a primer that is designed for rusty metal. There are spray paint or brush-on options for this. After priming, apply your top coat, and you're done!

Williams Professional Painting

No matter what kind of interior painting dilemma you might be facing, Williams Professional Painting is happy to help! Surface preparation is our specialty, whether it requires mold remediation, wallpaper removal, rust treatment or gloss removal, we are ready.

Serving the Washington, D.C. region since 1979, Williams Professional Painting offers kitchen cabinet painting, interior painting, wallpaper removal, popcorn ceiling repair or removal, carpentry, molding installation, exterior painting, and much more. Use our online contact form to request your estimate today, or give us a call at our office. We look forward to hearing from you!