Before you start painting a wall, one of the most important steps is preparing the surface. This involves a lot of patching!
It requires much more effort than a can of spackling and a putty knife for flawless results!
With this in mind, this guide will provide you with everything you need to fix your torn drywall paper using Kilz sealer.
Kilz Drywall Primer is a great solution if you’re looking to repair any torn drywall paper. This is the glue that helps to keep everything in place for a smooth and professional finish!
Here, you’ll want to use primer in steps 3 and 7 to reach your desired finish.
Learn more about the process below.
Does Kilz Seal Drywall?
KILZ® PVA DRYWALL PRIMER is designed to be used for new drywall. Essentially, it is a fast-drying, water-based interior primer.
That is formulated to seal and prime new, uncoated drywall – to keep everything safe and secure! It was a lifesaver when we came to redecorating our new house.
Plus, it helps to reduce the number of topcoats you need to achieve a professional and uniform finish. This is perfect for low-sheen and flat paints.
How To Repair Torn Drywall
Step 1 – Cover The Area With Drop Cloths
You should use one drop cloth to cover the floor and tape it to the baseboard underneath the area you’re working on. Then, extend this to both directions to catch as much debris as possible.
Use as many drop cloths as you need to cover areas and objects. This includes furniture, desks, Televisions, plants, computers, and books.
Since you’re working with light materials, even the smallest of breezes – such as an air conditioning vent – can carry particles far and wide.
Step 2 – Scrape The Damaged Area
Take your joint knife (scaper) to remove any loose pieces of drywall paper or paint. While this may enlarge the area being repaired, it helps to create a flat, well-executed repair.
Avoid using an x-acto knife or blade to remove any touch edges. This could potentially score the sheetrock – creating weak structural integrity.
Steps 3 and 7 – Apply Primer
When it comes to applying your primer, there are two different processes.
Firstly, once you have removed all the loose drywall paper and paint, apply a thin layer of primer to the affected areas.
Here, you can use a roller to roll on the primer – allowing it to get into all the different crevices, cracks, and loosened pieces of paper.
To prevent the roller from drying out, wrap it in plastic to be used again in step 7.
Step 4 – Apply Joint Compound, Drywall Mud, or Spackle
After the primer has been applied and dried, you can use the joint knife to spread the spackle onto the designated area.
Below, I have outlined some tips to help you:
- Take your joint knife to remove any excess material.
- Apply a generous coating of spackle to the affected area.
- Ensure an eighth of an inch of material remains above wall level.
It is important to ensure you use enough spackle when repairing your drywall. Don’t worry about excess, you can always sand it away.
If you apply more spackle after allowing it to dry, not only do you lose precious time but risk ruining the job, too.
Likewise, if there is an area where the spackle doesn’t seem to comply, then you can always apply it by hand – using enough pressure to ensure it stays in place.
Then, take your joint knife to scrape away any excess spackle for a clean and professional finish.
If your spackle resembles something that is rough or has flaky edges. Spray the area with water and then smooth it over using a soft sponge.
Once the damaged area has been completely filled, you should allow the drywall mud, spackle, or joint compound to completely dry.
You should keep in mind that some compounds are colored when wet, although they will fade to a white color once dry.
Generally, within eight to ten hours your repairs should be dry.
Step 5 – Sanding
Before you begin, ensure that you have covered all your furniture, electronics, carpets, and desks with drop cloths.
Here, fine dust will be able to travel all around the room with even the slightest of breezes.
To remove any excess compound, take 150-grit sandpaper and sand in both vertical and horizontal directions.
You should achieve a flat result.
Take a flat edge or a ruler towards the wall to ensure that it is completely flat. Otherwise, take a pencil to the areas that require further sanding.
Once finished, take a moment to carefully look over the area to ensure there are no rough patches and everything is smooth.
Step 6 – Cleanup
Taking a soft-bristled brush, brush the finished area from top to bottom to remove any remaining dust. Then, with a clean and slightly moist cloth, wipe the area again.
This process ensures that the primer has a clean surface to adhere to and avoids any peeling and bubbling.
After this, carefully remove the drop clothes from your electronics and furniture. Then, when you’re ready to apply the primer and paint, replace the drop cloths.
Step 7 – Apply Primer
Once you have finished sanding and cleaning the wall, you can apply another coat of primer as you did in step 3.
This helps to prevent the repaired areas from soaking up any paint or leaving any darkened or faded marks on the finished wall.
Final Thoughts
Not only is drywall inexpensive but it is incredibly versatile, too – with tons of different uses. However, the only downside is that it is susceptible to scratches, knicks, and tears.
Although, with the help of this guide, you never have to worry about tears again!
Thanks to the combination of a quick repair and Kilz drywall primer, you’ll have professional results in no time.
Hopefully, this guide has informed you on how to fix torn drywall paper using Kilz drywall primer.