How to Paint Over Sheetrock With the Paper Off

Locate all of the areas on the wall where the paper is torn off. Stir a small bucket of joint compound with a taping knife. Apply the compound over all of the areas where the paper is missing. Spread it out evenly to about 1/8-inch thickness and allow it to dry. Smooth down the areas with fine grade sandpaper. Add another coat of compound, let it dry and smooth it out again with the sandpaper until it is level throughout.

Sand off any joint compound located along the edges of the Sheetrock. Move over the compound with fine grade sandpaper in a smooth circular motion until the compound is even across the Sheetrock. Vacuum out the entire area with a shop vac. Suck up any debris and dust from the sanding.

Inspect the wall and check for any blemishes or defects. Prime the wall with interior primer. Pour the primer into a paint tray and run a roller through the tray. Spread out the primer over the wall beginning in any corner using the roller.

Move the roller in a "W" pattern from side to side across the Sheetrock. Go back and forth down the entire wall covering every square inch. Wait 45 minutes for the primer to dry to the Sheetrock.

Pour the flat or satin paint into a new paint tray and dip a new roller into the tray. Roll it around until it is covered in paint and spread out the paint along the wall. Apply the first coat just like you applied the primer.

Go around the room spreading the paint out with the roller in a "W" pattern until there is complete coverage over every square inch of the drywall. Wait 30 minutes for the first coat of paint to dry and apply a second coat the same way. Wait 30 more minutes and inspect the wall. See if it is color you want and add a third coat if necessary.