Wallpaper removal can be a messy process that damages the drywall beneath.
Even the best wallpaper removal techniques can run into some serious snags if the wallpaper was not hung properly to begin with. Wallpaper applied directly to drywall with no sealer or paint between can create quite the mess when its time to take the paper down. The wallpaper may just take a layer of drywall off with it, leaving a partially finished exposed wall, unfit for any new paint or paper application. Fortunately, small sections of damaged drywall can be repaired with a weekend-long do-it-yourself project.
Instructions
1. Seal the exposed drywall and drywall paper with an oil-based paint or shellac. Apply a single coat of this as a sealer using a paint brush.
2. Apply joint compound to the damaged areas of the drywall with a 10-inch broad knife. Spread the compound as thin as possible while still covering the damage. It should be no thicker than 1/16 of an inch.
3. Wait about four hours for the compound to dry. If you have several days to complete the project, you could wait overnight just to be safe.
4. Lightly sand the compound to remove rough spots, lines or grooves from the first application. Wipe away dust with a damp cloth.
5. Apply a second coat of joint compound to even out any dips in the first application. Scrape off excess compound after each application so you are not adding to the overall thickness, simply fixing imperfections.
6. Sand the surface of the drywall again to create a smooth, finished wall.
7. Use a paint roller to apply a final coat of sealer over the repaired drywall.
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