How To Fix Torn Drywall Paper

We've all been there.

You want to repaint a room in your house.  You remove the trim, but maybe you (or your demo hubby) don't score the trim and sure enough... the paint pulls the paper on your drywall right off.

Be honest, how many of you have just painted right over the torn paper?


You can't see it, but I am raising my hand right now.

I admit it... and the paint job ends up looking terrible.

Those days are over, folks!

Please note:  Obviously, the best thing you could do is to not have this happen.  When removing trim, baseboards or anything that has been painted or caulked on a wall, score it with a utility knife.  It will save you lots of time.

Step 1 - Clean up the paper
Using a utility knife, remove all loose paper from the wall.  You can cut more of the paper off, that's no problem, you just want to have clean lines.

Step 2 - Sand 
I use my mouse sander, but you can also use sand paper and do it with a little muscle power.

Step 3 - Prime It!

Using a good primer, you'll want to prime the paper.  Why?  We're going to be filling in this area with joint compound.  If you don't primer it first, the paper will basically suck up the moisture from the joint compound.

I use Zinsser for everything.  It's oil based, but you can use oil or latex based paint over it.  I think it gives the best coverage of all primers I've used in the past.  

I used a small foam roller and rolled on 2 coats (it dries super fast).

Step 4:  Joint Compound

Using your putty knife, slather on a layer of joint compound.  Try to feather out the edges of the compound.

Step 5 - Let It Dry, Then Sand

This joint compound is thin and takes several hours to dry.  Resist the urge to flatten out the high points and just let it dry completely.  Then you'll sand the wall.  Be sure to sand it smooth!

You'll notice that once I sanded the wall smooth, the line where the paper was torn is visible again.  That's perfectly fine, as long as there are no pieces sticking out.  I will close my eyes and rub the wall.  If it doesn't feel smooth, sand it more!

Step 6 - Repeat

My drywall paper tear was pretty bad, so I needed to repeat steps 4 and 5.

Step 7 - Prime Again

After you have sanded the wall smooth, add a final coat of primer.  This seals everything in and makes your wall ready to paint.  If you don't primer the joint compound before painting, "flashing" will occur.  This is when the sheen from the patch shows up differently from the sheen of the paint.

After the coat of primer, your wall should be ready to paint!

Nice, right?!

Here's a side by side.

Now you have a perfect fix for torn drywall paper! 

XOXO

Karrah

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