Prep drywall after removing wallpaper?

Rita
by Rita

I have removed wallpaper from several areas. A few places the drywall outer layer tore. What is the best way to prepare the wall for painting.

  6 answers
  • Dee Dee on Jul 28, 2018

    Go to HD of Lowes and get "mud" or drywall compound. Get the premixed it will save you a lot of headache. You can roll it on the wall or just even out the wall, Sand it down if you are using a patching compound. You MUST use primer before painting the wall.

    Also I hope you got all the glue off the wall.

    • Rita Rita on Jul 28, 2018

      I'm working on the glue now. I'm using water, baking soda and a splash of dawn. What do you recommend to use?

  • Jan Loehr Jan Loehr on Jul 28, 2018

    I had a pro remove wall paper in a room and he had to apply a type of "mud" to portions of the wall to even it out ...if you want to do this yourself, go to a large Home Store in the wallpaper department, and ask them to show you this product...do not know what it is called but they can direct you to the right product.

  • William William on Jul 29, 2018

    I use a 50/50 mix of vinegar and hot water to remove wallpaper and the same mix to wash the glue residue off with a sponge. You can use drywall patching compound to cover where the paper came off. Just put on enogh to patch. Let it dry then smooth it out with a damp sponge. Prime and paint.

    • See 1 previous
    • Kim Kim on Jul 29, 2018

      When it’s dry, use a damp cloth or sponge to smooth it out. The surface will bring up a cream sort of like concrete does and you are able to move it around and smooth it out.

  • Dee Dee on Jul 29, 2018

    I used Purple Power a cleaner degreaser that you can get at WalMart or an automotive store. It is inexpensive about $5 a gallon and can be diluted for many cleaning problems. Wear gloves when using this. Let dry, and then mud the wall with the drywall compound to fix the areas. Prime and paint.

  • April April on Jul 29, 2018

    Easiest way to remove the glue that I have found is a heavy-duty steamer (generally made for this application.) You can usually rent one.

  • William William on Jul 29, 2018

    Smooth it out when it's totally dry. The damp sponges softens the surface just enough to smooth it out. I do all my drywall mudding that way. Don't like to sand. I just put enough compound on to cover, then let it dry (usually overnight), and smooth it out with a damp sponge the next day. When I worked as a maintenance supervisor for a nursing home we had to be quick with repairs.