I would like to remove wall tile and simply refinish the walls with paint. Am I able to do this without replacing the plasterboard that was originally below the tile? The tiles will come off fairly easily, but the left over residue seems to be a little more difficult.

Any suggestions on how to refinish the walls without replacing the plasterboard?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kreutz,

there is going to be some severe damage to the paper on the wallboard after the tile and mastic or thinset is removed. the gypsum is rather fragile without the paper backing.

if it's not too bad, you might be able to skim coat it with compound and then prime and paint.

but I'm betting that you're going to have to replace the wallboard. it's not much of a job at all, really. and you can save a ton of time by pulling off wallboard and tile in a package, then police the nails, make sure the wall is properly insulated and there is no other damage back there to fix, and then rerock it.