[John2023]

I am removing the ship lap. They had tile backsplash on the wall before. What is the best route to go to repair where they had tile? For the tim being I just want to paint the wall. when money permits, I will be upgrading the counter top then adding backsplash. At least, 2 years plus down the road.

Removing ship lap and tile backsplash can leave behind damage to the wall that needs to be repaired before painting.
Here are a few steps you can take to repair the wall where the tile was removed:

1. Clean the wall: Remove any remaining adhesive or grout from the wall using a putty knife or scraper. If the adhesive is particularly stubborn, you can use a chemical adhesive remover to dissolve it.
2. Fill in gaps and holes: Use joint compound or spackling paste to fill in any gaps or holes left behind by the tile. Allow the compound to dry completely before sanding it smooth.
3. Sand the wall: Sand the wall to smooth out any rough spots and create a smooth surface for painting.
4. Prime the wall: After the wall is clean and smooth, apply a coat of primer to the wall before painting. This will help the paint adhere better and give you a more professional finish.
5. Paint the wall: Once the primer has dried, you can paint the wall with your desired color.

Please keep in mind that if you decide to upgrade the counter top and add backsplash in the future, you may need to remove the paint first.