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Removing Textured Paint on Drywall

You may have liked textured walls in the past but decide they don't work with your new decor. Unlike flat painted walls that can simply be primed and repainted, textured walls need to have the texture removed first. The process creates a lot of dust and debris, so use a face mask.

Things You'll Need

  • Dropcloths
  • Gel paint stripper
  • Towel
  • Putty knife
  • Sandpaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clear the room of furniture and belongings. If something is too large to remove, cover it with a dropcloth to prevent dust and debris from settling on it.

    • 2

      Place dropcloths along the floor to catch all debris and make cleanup easier.

    • 3

      Apply gel stripper by dipping a towel into the gel and rubbing it on the wall. The gel stripper softens the texture, making it easier to remove. Let the gel sit on the wall for a few minutes as you apply more to another section. Work in small sections to prevent the gel from drying out.

    • 4

      Scrape the texture off the wall, using the putty knife. Many find working from top to bottom easier to direct the scrapings into the dropcloth below. Glide the putty knife close to the drywall without damaging it.

    • 5

      Wipe down the wall with a clean towel to remove any excess gel. Let the wall dry before sanding.

    • 6

      Sand the wall smooth with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and allow it to dry before painting.