What do I do with drywall that was installed backwards?
by
Batina Marie
+3
I bought a house and removed the wallpaper. I noticed that the drywall was brown and peeling... I was told it was installed backwards... what can I use to avoid having to put new drywall up? Are their any products I can use that will allow me to paint over the existing backwards drywall?
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Chances are the walls weren't prepped correctly and the wallpaper took off the good thin coating of drywall. You'll need to finish removing the wallpaper and have your walls skim coated. One they are refinished, put on a good coat it 2 of primer, then paint.
I would try a skim coat in a corner and see how it holds. A time consuming job, but straight-forward.
Any chance that the brown is the backing paper off the wallpaper? Sometimes when I remove wallpaper the wall paper comes off but the backing paper stays on the wall. Especially with vinyl wallpaper. First try wetting a small area and see if it peels off like wallpaper. If it is the drywall and it's smooth and not fuzzy you can primer over it with Kilz primer then paint. If it is fuzzy you would need to prime it which will stiffen the fuzzies and you would need to sand smooth. prime again then paint.
Kilz primer will work. To make life easier and with a lot of walls to do you can buy a pole sander that threads on a broom stick. Start with 120 grit sandpaper. May consider buying a multi pack of various grits. Don't sand wothout priming or it will be more fuzzy. Good luck.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Marshalltown-9-3-8-in-X-3-1-4-in-Pole-Sander-Head-With-Threaded-Adapter-E551/304170083