You'll need multiple grits of sandpaper to smooth out the effects of tile removal.
Restoring a wall after removing tile from its surface can be a difficult process. The adhesive left on the wall creates an uneven, patchy look. Drywall or plaster surfaces are themselves damaged by the tile removal, resulting in more unevenness, with drywall paper or plaster torn from the surface along with the tile. Sanding the surface can help restore the wall to good condition by removing the excess adhesive and leveling out the drywall or plaster. Sanding alone isn't enough, however. To truly restore the wall, you'll have to add new material to the damaged surface. With this new layer added and sanded smooth, only then can you decide on a new wall covering to replace the tiles torn away.
Instructions
1. Place a drop cloth on the floor at the base of the wall to catch any dust or debris from the sanding process.
2. Remove any remaining adhesive left on the surface of the wall with a coarse grade of sandpaper. Attach the sandpaper to a belt sander and then go over the surface of the wall, working the sander in small circles to avoid creating grooves from the sandpaper's edge. Run the sandpaper over the entire surface until all obvious signs of the adhesive are gone.
3. Wipe the surface of the wall with a clean cloth to remove any sanding residue.
4. Switch to a fine-grit sandpaper. Sand the surface of the wall a second time, using the same technique used as the first. Smooth away any imperfections present in the wall surface with the sandpaper. Wipe off any sanding residue.
5. Thin the joint compound with water to the point where you can easily spread it onto the wall without it falling off the surface of your drywall knife. Place the compound on the knife edge and then spread it over the surface of the wall in an even layer. Wait two hours for the compound to begin to dry, and then apply another layer of the compound. Allow the second layer to dry overnight, and then sand the compound smooth with fine-grit sandpaper.
6. Apply a layer of primer on the wall, using a paint roller to cover the sanded surface. Use a brush to place the primer on the edges of the wall approximately 2 inches toward the wall center, and then switch to the roller to complete the job. Work in rows, overlapping each row by about 3 inches. Wait for the primer to dry overnight.
7. Sand the primer smooth with fine-grit sandpaper to remove any signs of the roller strokes and any other imperfections in the primer surface. Wipe the surface with a clean cloth to remove the dust created by the sanding process.
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