Repairing Sheetrock

I live in a double wide mobile home. The walls are sheetrock that was made with vinyl wallpaper already on it. The dog tore up a small portion, the vinyl come off and left just the drywall paper. Can I mud that portion of the wall, sand, smooth, and then paint the whole thing? Will the mud adhere to the paper of the sheetrock OK?

By Sheryl from OK

Answers:

Repairing Sheetrock

I wouldn't count on anything sticking to vinyl. You might try using your hair dryer near the area where the dog tore off the vinyl and see if it softens the glue holding the vinyl. Then you could remove the vinyl and then patch any areas as you were suggesting, with sanding, etc. and then paint. (03/22/2010)

By PENNY K

Repairing Sheetrock

You have the right idea, mud will stick to sheet rock. Good luck. (03/22/2010)

By kathleen williams

Repairing Sheetrock

If nothing else works, you can just buy another panel; who cares if it doesn't match, since you plan on painting them anyway. Yes, they are paintable. They shouldn't be too difficult to replace. They are the same size, simply remove the old one, nail the new panel up, and replace the trim to hide the nail holes, then paint. (03/23/2010)

By susan

Repairing Sheetrock

When you tear the paper on the sheet rock you have to fill in that hole left from the missing paper. First remove all loose paper. You will want to sand the edges of the paper off before filling the hole with sheet rock mud, sand until smooth so you cannot feel any edges of the paper. Prime and paint your wall.

I have my doubts that the mud will stick to the vinyl; it needs an absorbent surface. If you want to mud over the vinyl you are going to have to rough it up to remove the plastic coating. Rather than mud over vinyl I would suggest you cut out the damaged panel and replace it instead of trying to repair it if you can, since it has the vinyl covering. Just my opinion without seeing it in person. Good luck. (03/23/2010)

By Ann Winberg

Repairing Sheetrock

You need to seal the vinyl wall covering before any thing will stick to it. Use a product like Kilz white shellac. After the wall has dried patch any damage that may exist.
Do not try to sand the vinyl. That will not work. The sealer is a satisfactory base for painting. After any needed repairs are finished, use Kilz to seal any repaired areas. Now you are ready to paint. If you do not seal the vinyl the paint will not stick. (11/27/2010)

By Scotty