How to repair minor damage and holes in Gyprock Plasterboard - DIY Videos - Video 4, by GyprockTV on YouTube. 3 min 56 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 56 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes plus drying time
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Clean the damaged area. Brush out loose dust and plaster crumbs, and scrape away any flaking paper so the filler can bond to a sound surface.
For a small hole, press a self-adhesive patch or mesh over it and smooth it flat against the wall.
Load patching compound onto a scraper and press it into the hole or dent, working from the edges inward.
Draw the scraper flat across the patch to level the filler with the surrounding wall and remove excess.
Let the compound dry fully. Check the label for the drying time, which is usually a few hours for small patches.
Sand the dried patch with fine sandpaper until it feels flush with the wall. Wear a dust mask.
Wipe off the sanding dust with a damp cloth and let the surface dry.
Apply a second thin coat if the patch still shows a dip, then sand again once dry.
Prime and paint the patch to match the surrounding wall.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep each coat thin. Thick filler shrinks and cracks as it dries.
Feather the edges of the filler wider than the hole so the repair blends in.
Don't sand until the compound is fully hard, or you will tear the surface.
Questions
Can I fix a hole bigger than a coin with filler alone?
Small holes up to a few centimetres wide work with a patch and filler. Larger holes need a piece of plasterboard cut to fit and fixed behind the wall first.
Do I have to paint over the patch?
Yes, filler dries a different colour and texture from the wall. Prime the patch first so the paint covers evenly.
What filler should I use?
A ready-mixed patching compound or a repair kit made for plasterboard is easiest for beginners. It dries hard and sands smooth.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
