Do I need to paint before wallpapering?

[CalliopeTorres]

We're redecorating at the moment and have removed the old paper that was hung when we moved in back to the bare wall. We have new wallpaper to hang, DH wants to paint the walls before we hang the wallpaper whereas I just think he is making work for himself (us). Who is right? Is there a benefit in painting the walls prior to papering?

Why would you paint walls ?

You don't paint walls that you are going to paper. You do the gloss paint on the skirting boards and doors (where applicable) before you hang wallpaper.

ivykaty I have no idea, I think DH is crackers for suggesting it but suggest he has so I wondered if I was missing something as he's generally pretty sane.

you don't have to, but IMO it helps you get a more perfect result. It will cover any patchiness in colour of plaster that may show through the paper, highlights to the eye any remaining plaster blemishes so you can correct them, and gives a good slip to the paper when hanging without needing sizing. It also makes it easier to strip the paper and clean the walls next time.

It also makes the place look decent quickly until you get round to papering.

A white vinyl emulsion will be fine and cheap to buy. Thin the first coat or two on bare plaster. Never apply glue to plaster if you hope one day to paint it.