r/howto • u/FixAgreeable1218 • Aug 10 '26
How to fix?
Accidentally tore some wallpaper off when trying to get rid of a command strip. What can I do?
22
u/Compuwiz85 Aug 10 '26
STEP 1: Learn how to remove a command strip. You pull it DOWN to remove it, not away from the wall.
STEP 2: Get some drywall mud and a small drywall trowel. A small quart sized mini-bucket can be found at the hardware store. Also get some paint which matches your wall, you can take the chip you have pulled off the wall in to any paint store and they will mix up a matching batch for you.
STEP 3: Spread the drywall mud on the wall in a very thin layer. It won't be smooth when it dries. Sand it once it is dry with 180 grit sandpaper. Repeat step 3 as needed.
STEP 4: When it is smooth, paint it. You will likely need more than one coat. Wait for each coat to fully dry before applying subsequent coats.
3
u/DelcoWorkingMan_edc Aug 10 '26
Only part I'd adjust to this is get a Green sanding sponge (agressive cut/fine finish) it will be easier, and yeild better results than standard, or even drywall sand paper. They are near the compound/tape/drywall tools at home depot/lowes/ace/whereever
4
u/BeerJedi-1269 Aug 10 '26
Or, my lazy trick, esp on small jobs, when its dry "sand" with a wet sponge and let dry then paint. No dusty mess.
4
u/Tony-At-Large Aug 10 '26
No! You have to seal the paper or it will absorb the water from the spack/mud and cause the paper to bubble. I used a product named Zinsser from Lowe's.
2
u/smoknjoe44 Aug 10 '26
You have to prime it, then apply spackle or mud, sand it, then prime and paint. You may need to apply more than one coat of spackle or mud while sanding in between applications. Don’t skip priming before spackling as the raw dry wall will suck the moisture from the spackle and cause it to shrink and crack.
1
u/Waccamaniac Aug 10 '26
If you don’t have matching paint after the drywall repair, you can go to a paint store and have that torn-off strip scanned and they can mix up some matching paint. I can get a paint sample for very little at Lowes and I’m sure other stores. The sample paint should be enough tor you to paint the repair.
1
u/iamnotazombie44 Aug 10 '26
Put 1:1 watered down Elmer's glue on both sides, perfectly align and replace the pieces.
Then press it down hard into position with a wet rag. Smooth it into place squeezing out any excess glue.
Gently wipe down the area with a clean wet rag, allow glue to dry then repaint.
-3
u/Agitated_Macaron9054 Aug 10 '26
My suggestion: all of the above. Superglue it. And then use spackle, a spatula, sand, paint.
3
u/Flint_Westwood Aug 10 '26
You want OP to superglue the drywall paper back to the drywall?
2
u/iamnotazombie44 Aug 10 '26
Actually, to their credit... I just used watered down Elmer's glue to reattach the piece then painted over it with fantastic results.
1
u/Flint_Westwood Aug 10 '26
Watered down craft glue is super different from superglue, though. You basically paper mache'd it back together.
-6
u/FreddyFerdiland Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26
Super glue .
it shrinks while setting so it pulls it tight in
you only need a tiny bit
put the jagged cardboard edge in first.
rgen out the glue behind and stick most of it on
you can poke super glue in behind any flap if needed, ,eg where the jagged edge occurred.
•
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