Top quality acrylic latex paints can be applied to vinyl surfaces once they have been properly washed of debris. It is not recommended to paint over wallpaper. Painting over wallpaper can cause the surface to form large blisters that may or may not recede, which can cause major surface preparation problems. Wallpaper should be removed with a wallpaper stripper, or vinegar, that has been mixed with very hot water. The wallpaper that is to be removed should be soaked with the solution of choice so the paste under the paper will breakdown, allowing the wallpaper to be removed.
Wallpaper steamers are also good for removing wallpaper.
Once the wallpaper is removed, the surface needs to be cleaned of any excess paste, repaired where applicable, lightly sanded, and primed with a top quality alkyd stain blocking primer. The priming is necessary to seal any paste that may have gone undetected. Any undetected paste that is painted over will react with the paint and cause it to crack. Homeowners considering a wallpaper project should always prime or apply a good coat of sizing to the surface before applying wallpaper. This will allow for easy removal of the wallpaper in the future.