Tips and tricks for fixing damaged drywall? The home repair DIY thread.

[ganjames]

EDIT: I decided to make this thread for anyone doing any home DIY projects, go ahead and post your projects and ask questions.


So the last people who lived here really didn't have a clue about painting, lots of drip spots from running paint.. tons of imperfections on the walls. I'm going around the walls and removing the paint, peels off really nice and clean but obviously I get left with some damaged drywall (brown paper fuzzy shit) in some areas. So once I'm finished peeling I'll use a surface sealer like gardz on the fuzzy areas, and then start with the joint compound.

Anybody here that knows about home repair that can give some tricks/tips to really get the walls looking perfect?

 

[neosapien]

EDIT: I decided to make this thread for anyone doing any home DIY projects, go ahead and post your projects and ask questions.


So the last people who lived here really didn't have a clue about painting, lots of drip spots from running paint.. tons of imperfections on the walls. I'm going around the walls and removing the paint, peels off really nice and clean but obviously I get left with some damaged drywall (brown paper fuzzy shit) in some areas. So once I'm finished peeling I'll use a surface sealer like gardz on the fuzzy areas, and then start with the joint compound.

Anybody here that knows about home repair that can give some tricks/tips to really get the walls looking perfect?

The best tip I ever got in regards to drywall was instead of using a sander, use a not-so-damp sponge. The dust gets stuck to the sponge so its not all over the place and you can really feather-edge alot better. I'm replacing my kitchen floor at the moment. Thats why I've been popping on and off at weird intervals. Fun stuff.

 

[ganjames]

Like a regular sponge? not one of those sponge sanding bricks?

A regular sponge does sound like a really good idea, I know all about sanding drywall... that shit gets EVERYWHERE!
You get drywall dust in places you never knew you had lol.

 

[neosapien]

Like a regular sponge? not one of those sponge sanding bricks?

A regular sponge does sound like a really good idea, I know all about sanding drywall... that shit gets EVERYWHERE!
You get drywall dust in places you never knew you had lol.

Yeah pretty much a regular sponge, they market it as a drywall sanding sponge but we all know what it really is. They're cheaper than all the other options and reusable too. Just rinse that bitch out when done.

 

[ganjames]

Yeah pretty much a regular sponge, they market it as a drywall sanding sponge but we all know what it really is. They're cheaper than all the other options and reusable too. Just rinse that bitch out when done.

Sounds good, I truly hate doing this shit... gotta lay carpet too.
But after a few weeks and everything is done, and the room is 100% the way you imaged it, most rewarding feeling ever.

 

[neosapien]

Sounds good, I truly hate doing this shit... gotta lay carpet too.
But after a few weeks and everything is done, and the room is 100% the way you imaged it, most rewarding feeling ever.

Yeah I've been painting my kitchen and redoing the floor on and off for 3 weeks now. Should be totally done by the weekend and I then will rejoice at the sight of my finished product!

 

[JustCoasting]

Drywall and the mud that goes with it is just part of the job.

To do a good job, you have to apply the mud in very thin coats, sand it smooth and then apply another coat. Then sand it.

Run your hand over the area. If you feel bumps, sand some more or apply more mud. Knowing though that the more mud you apply, the more you have to sand.

 

[JustCoasting]

You will know if you did a good job or not when you paint. Then it is a lot harder to fix.

It is best to run your hands over the areas. If you feel a bump, sand it out or repair it.

Painting the area with definately show the flaw.

 

[ganjames]

any tips on painting over the drywall? i've never had to paint over a wall that hasn't already been primed.

 

[neosapien]

any tips on painting over the drywall? i've never had to paint over a wall that hasn't already been primed.

I've always primed first then done 2 coats on fresh drywall. Primer ain't as costly as paint, it's worth it.

 

[hsaom]

The penguin is right about the sponge...Its better and less messy and can be used with a semi dry compound
As far as the mud goes,if you wanna be quick and finish at one time,use quickset
Quickset is also good because you can just put one thick coat and as it dries,scrape it down perfect
I have 16 yrs exp with this crap

 

[hsaom]

any tips on painting over the drywall? i've never had to paint over a wall that hasn't already been primed.

If its just touch ups,then put a couple coats
Or u can mix some paint with your primer and go about it that way

 

[ganjames]

I've always primed first then done 2 coats on fresh drywall. Primer ain't as costly as paint, it's worth it.

Alright cool that was the plan, just making sure there wan't anything special I had to do before priming the walls.

The penguin is right about the sponge...Its better and less messy and can be used with a semi dry compound
As far as the mud goes,if you wanna be quick and finish at one time,use quickset
Quickset is also good because you can just put one thick coat and as it dries,scrape it down perfect
I have 16 yrs exp with this crap

I've only worked with mud a few times so i'm kind of hesitant to do anything with quickset, it's just a guest bedroom though so i have the time to let it dry.

got a fucked up back as well so after one coat i'm going to be ready for the couch lol.

 

[neosapien]

Obviously just give it a quick clean too to get any dust off etc before you put the primer on. I have a feeling you knew that though.

 

[ganjames]

LOL yeah that one I knew.

 

[cannabineer]

Use a good good primer. I have always been fond of "B-I-N" primer by Zinsser. It lays so much more nicely than latex. Brush clean-up is dead easy too ... use a dash of hydroxide (drain opener is a convenient source) in water. Thin the primer with denatured alcohol ... it's shellac-based. Never another worry. cn

<edit> If you plan an alkali clean-up, do not use a natural bristle brush! I've made pig hair Jell-O on a stick this way.

 

[ganjames]

cleaning up some peeled paint right now, thinking about how shitty this is lol.

the only thing that keeps me going is how the room will look after i'm finished, I might even turn it into my bedroom.

 

[Total Head]

yes, decent primer and paint are a MUST. i don't even know why cheap shitty paint/primer is sold.

and don't be scared to tint the primer if you know what color you'll be painting the walls.

before you prime take a lamp without a shade and point the light at the spots from a couple different angles, or view in daylight if possible. the light will show up all the imperfections so you can fix them.

 

[chronichaze]

If your gonna repair your wall using mud(plaster) your better off doing it the right way and using 3 coats. The mud shrinks so one doesnt cut it. Your last coat will be a thin skim coat. Also a tip I have heard from quite a few painters, they like to leave some dust on the wall from they first prime the room.

 

[chicken bob]

the paint is peeling off the dry wall? or the trim? there is a reason why the paint would peel if u dont fix that problem the new paint will peel up also