Can I use an electric sander with fine sandpaper to repair wallboard after removing 3 layers of wallpaper?
By Joyce from Chatham, MA
Prime the whole think with Kilz. Then skim coat, sand and repeat until the walls are smooth. Then prime and paint. This sounds like a lot of work but it's the best way to get nice walls again.
Yes, you can use an electric drywall sander and drywall grade sandpaper. If you don't have a drywall sander and can't afford one you can rent them. (Or you can buy a manual drywall sander block and paper). Be sure to cover absolutely everything in the room and close off the other rooms because that dust makes a huge mess even on small jobs! Also, be sure to wear a mask because those particles are not good for your lungs!
I don't know what area you took the paper off but I had uneven walls in my bath and could not afford to have them dry walled. I had old plaster. So here is what I did. I used brown paper that I had crumpled up and torn and spray painted and also used copper leaf paint and applied and then used a coat of varnish to protect it You can get an idea of this from the picture, I hope.
When ever you sand sheet rock be sure not to sand to much. You may end up with the surface of the sheet rock with a fuzzy or suede look. This will not go away with painting. If the wall is damaged from the removal of paper it may be best to skim coat the entire wall.
Rygobus
