Drywall Help!?

Question

I am redoing a bathroom and have ripped out some cabinets. The existing sheetrock had some aweful texture on it and now there is no texture on the wall where the cabinets were. Is there anyway to start with smooth walls without replacing the sheetrock $$. Could I possibly sand the texture off the sheetrock? Thanks!

Answer 1

Coat the entire area in question with spackle.

Answer 2

You could sand the texture off or possibly use some plaster over the existing texture to fill in the low areas, or do a combination of both.

Both approaches will be messy and time consuming.

I just checked the price of sheet rock at the Home Depot, and the price for a 1/2" thick 4 x 8 sheet is only $8.00 per sheet. If you can install it yourself, the cost and time it might just be better to replace it instead of try to save it.

Answer 3

The easiest way is also time consuming, but well worth the effort. You will need the following:

1 large pail of drywall compound (65lbs, about $10-$15 at Lowe's or Home Depot.

1 flat trowel for applying (rectangular metal with handle...much faster than a putty knife. (about $5)

1 hand sander and sandpaper packet (about $12 combined).

Safety goggles and breathing filters. (about $10)

Apply drywall compound using the edge of the trowel in a criss-cross pattern. Don't worry about little edges made by the trowel...you'll sand them down later. **Do not return any unused compound back into the container...this will ruin it and give you poor results**

It's a trial-and-error process. The important thing to remember is to NOT put it on thick...it may take a second coat, or 'topping' after it dries thoroughly....usually about 12 to 24 hours is sufficient.

Sand down after each layer dries. This is very dusty...close doors or use plastic to keep dust in the room. If weather permits, open a window with a fan blowing OUTWARD.

After the surface is finished, prime then paint. If after you prime, you notice any obvious imperfections you can touch up with a little dab of drywall compound (allowing to dry, then sand lightly). Stand back and admire your well-done job.

Answer 4

If you sand it try it on a area that wont be highly visible.
Thats going to be alot of work and it might not turn out right.
Sanding a wide area like that is slow work and you have to be carefull not to sand to deep and break the paper.
Not to mention that you might not get it even, depending on how large a area you have to sand.
Should you decide to replace the sheetrock get the green kind.
It is what you need for areas that have moisture.
Good Luck

Answer 5

Have you heard of the black-n-decker Mouse? It's a little sander that will smooth out textured walls without as much elbow grease. You may want to apply some kind of paint thinner first and allow it to dry completely to break up what is presumably a gloss finish in the bathroom.

Answer 6

depending how deep the texture is, sanding could take forever... and be VERY dirty... The easiest solution would be to add a skim coat of compound to the drywall... (they call it mud) Thin it with water and use a large trowel and you will be able to smooth out the surface easily.. you'll just need to touch up sand this coat

much faster and you will be able to keep the drywall you have

Answer 7

There is a process called "skimming" where there is a coat of joint compound spread over the entire surface and then sanded. It usually takes a couple of applications but it ends up looking like brand new walls (it it's done right). Ask around to find contractors or drywallers who are good at it.

Answer 8

Sanding or scraping the texture off might work, but it would be very easy to peel the paper backing right off. Replacing the drywall would be better/easier, especially in a bathroom where greenboard would be superior due to moisture resistance.

Answer 9

Get a spray bottle and put water in it. Spray the drywall where the surface is textured and using a putty knife with a large blade, scrape the texture off. Prime and paint

If its not that raised, then get a sanding pole and sandpaper and sand it down with all your might. Then prime and paint.

Answer 10

if it is wallpaper u can get a steam machine and take off the old paper that way if it is paint ur best bet would be to just paint over it sanding would work but you take the chance of messing up the sheetrock

Answer 11

If the paper is off the existing rock, you should replace it. You'll have great difficulty making it flat without it. If the paper exists, get rid of the high points and smooth it out with joint compound aka "mud".