Can we paint over exposed brown drywall paper?

When we removed a mirror from our wall, some paint stuck to the mirror and ripped off the wall. This exposed the brown drywall paper. Before we repaint the ripped off area with the color on the rest of the walls, what do we need to do? (i.e. apply primer, spackle, etc.??)Can we paint over exposed brown drywall paper?
I have had this problem many times and it's an easy fix. At Home Depot or other supply houses, you need to buy 20 minute ';mud'; or quick drying joint compound, In California, it's Westpac 20 minute compound or something like that. Carefully mix the powder with cold water to form a smooth paste in a 12'; Drywall pan. Using a 6'; taping knife, go over the areas with a thin coat of ';mud';. Thin is 1/16'; to 1/8'; of compound or less. You will be applying multiple coats of mud.


When that coat dries, scrape off any high areas and repeat the coating process. The bubbles should be less significant than the first coat. Repeat as necessary to get a smooth surface, prime and paint and texture (if necessary) and you should have a beautiful wall again.


It is a little tricky and you might need some practice, but if looks horrible, you can always sand off the bad and try again.


Good luck!Can we paint over exposed brown drywall paper?
Yes. Cut off the edges of the brown drywall edges with a box cutter, (the curled paper will not lay down). Cover with joint compound (mud). You must allow mud to dry completely, then sand. You might have to repeat the process with a second and sometimes a third application. Also, if you apply the mud too heavy, it will crack.


Once sanded, remove the drywall dust and prime the repaired area. Have a shop vac sucking the dust if you are hand sanding. Or use a shop vac connected to an orbital sander with 120 or finer grit.


Paint with two coats. Allow dry time between coats.