How can I repair drywall so I can apply a new backsplash?

Michelle Brown
by Michelle Brown

Hi all - I attempted a peel and stick backsplash a few months ago and I hate it for several reasons. I'm thinking of putting Fasade backsplash panels right over top of this one. My problem is the end where I messed up, tried to reposition the piece, ended up tearing the top layer of drywall along the edge, and while panicking...added the thin extra strip to hide my mistake. Looks aweful, I know...What is the easiest way to repair that thin strip of drywall so I can paint it...that is...if the new backsplash should end under the cabinets. The other option is to continue the backsplash beyond the cabinets to the end of the counter. Please give me your feedback and ideas.Thanks in advance,Michelle

  7 answers
  • Gk Gk on Sep 07, 2019

    The backsplash can end at of the cabinets. I think you will be more satisfied with that rather than going to the end of the counter. If you go to the end of the counter then you will have a strip of wall to the right of the switches. That might drive you crazy! You can repair your drywall with some spackling or drywall mud. Sand it smooth and clean all the dust off and paint. That's an easy fix!

    • Michelle Brown Michelle Brown on Sep 07, 2019

      Thanks GK, I think that is the best way. Before spackling do I need to put some kind of primer over the brown paper where the paint and top layer of the drywall came off?

  • 17335038 17335038 on Sep 07, 2019

    What, or where is the brown paper you are referring to?

    • Michelle Brown Michelle Brown on Sep 08, 2019

      It is under the last strip of peel and stick which I will be removing when doing the new backsplash, I covered it up...so when I remove it I will need to repair the drywall before painting

  • William William on Sep 07, 2019

    I agree with GK. Backsplash to the end of the cabinets. No primer on the paper. Just put a skim coat of drywall compound over the damage. Sand smooth. Prime and paint.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Sep 08, 2019

    Keep in mind that the final look of the repaired section, even if painted with the same paint as the wall, still may be different, due to how much or little the space has been covered with filler and/or sanded. It is a result of the surface that the paint goes on being a different texture than new drywall surface.


    Another option to trying to repair the section of drywalll, may be to put a strip of ¼ round or shoe molding, vertically from the top of the counter all the way up along the side of the cupboard to the ceiling.



  • Debi53 Debi53 on Sep 08, 2019

    Use fairly thin coats of spackle letting each coat dry and sand completely smooth before adding more spackle. Use what I call the "feel test". Close your eyes and run your hand over the patch. If you can feel areas that dip or are not smooth, you need to fill in or sand more depending on what you feel. Your eyes can deceive you, but your hand on the wall tells the truth. Make sure you feather the spackle out as smooth as possible when you apply each coat. If you are having to do a lot of sanding to smooth out the spackle, you are not smoothing it out as you apply it.

    When the patch is completely smooth using the "feel test", apply two thin coats of primer. If you do not prime properly, you will always see the patch.

    Finally apply your paint matching the texture that is on your wall as much as possible. If the area is small, you probably only need a paint brush. If the new paint looks to smooth when it dries, paint again and then use brush to stipple the paint which will give it a little texture. You may need to do this a few times.

  • Dee Dee on Sep 08, 2019

    End your backsplash at the end of the counter. You can apply dry wall compound {aka mud} and then let it dry. Sand smooth with the rest of the dry wall. You will need to prime that area with a good primer, before painting. If your tiles that you want to put on the wall are thick, you can get what they call bull nose tiles to finish the edge. Shoe molding will look tacky. Home Depot has a texture in a spray can. I have used it many times and it works great


  • Mogie Mogie on Sep 10, 2023

    I would think you should be able to use thin set to smooth it out.