will dry wall tape stick to a painted wall?

Answer 1

Not very well scruff up the wall first try that,

Answer 2

It will if you use the mesh kind of tape, not the old style paper tape. However, once you install the the tape you will still need to tape and float it with drywall compound, not spackling. Taping and floating like this will make a lump on the wall unless you prepare it first. This link will take you through the steps.

Answer 3

All 3 answers offer valid suggestions so far. The mildly adhesive mesh tape was designed for EASE for the installer/finisher; not specifically that it offers a better finish.

Without knowing at all your reason for asking; IE: a small patch; etc.; Certainly the advice to scuff up the surround area will help...HOWEVER; I do small hole patches all the time with MUD and over painted walls with no problem. The issue in your case might result in you having that area NOT flush with adjoining areas. Certainly you can and should FEATHER any Mud, especially over tape.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

Yes. But you need to lighlty sand, remove dust or dirt. Apply a thin coat of spackle, apply tape on wet spackle, smooth using a spackle knife then immediately apply a thin layer of spackle over it. Let dry all day or over night.Then you will need 1 to 2 coats more of spackle(allowing time to dry in between coats. Finally sand smooth, prime. and paint