Can you paint on the paper surface of drywall?
Question:I am peeling layers of paint off drywall and am at the cardboard/paper level. Can I paint directly on this? Do I need to redrywall? Do I need to seal it somehow before painting on it? How do I make it look level when it's all paper looking? Any suggestions?
Answers:
Use a skimcoat of drywall compound, sand smooth and then a good primer. Now you are ready for the final paint.
spackle and sand then paint.
You can buy wall texture in disposable cans. Generally, I use "orange peel." If you go to Home Depot or Lowe's they'll be able to show you. It comes in a can and has a dial or varying sized "straws" to control the weight of the texture. You should practice first to make sure you have the look you want, but it's pretty easy. Before the texture is painted it will wash away with a damp cloth.
If you can see the seems in the drywall, you'll want to repair these before you texture. It's not a difficult process, but it can be time consuming if you want it done right. You put drywall tape over the seem and then "mud" (again available at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) over that. First use a narrow spatula and gradually get wider and wider so you feather the "mud." I hope this makes sense. It's hard to explain without actually showing you.
Anyway, you'll be surprised how easy it is if you just give it a shot.
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