How to Remove Peeling Paint From Drywall

Paint can peel from a wall due to moisture exposure, sunlight or simply with age. Removing this paint from drywall provides a unique challenge because the drywall is relatively soft. You cannot use power washers, metal scrapers or heat guns without damaging the surface. You can still remove the offending paint, but it will be a more careful and labor intensive job than stripping paint from other surfaces.

Tarp
Plastic paint scraper
Sandpaper
Drywall patching paste
Putty knife
Primer and paint

Instructions

- 1
  Lay a tarp on the floor to catch faint flakes.
- 2
  Scrape off the peeling portions of the paint with a plastic paint scraper, working in the opposite direction as the flakes. Use gentle pressure to leave the fewest possible number of scrapes and gouges in the drywall.
- 3
  Sand any remaining paint with 100-grit sandpaper. Stop sanding when the grayish-white drywall shows through.
- 4
  Apply a thin layer of drywall patching paste over any scrapes and gouges that removing the paint has caused. Use a putty knife to scrape the paste over the wall, filling in any damage, then allow it to dry.
- 5
  Resand the area with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface.
- 6
  Wipe the wall with a tack cloth to remove sanding dust.
- 7
  Prime the repaired area and paint it to match the undamaged portions of the wall.

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