How to Fix Small Holes in Drywall #diyprojects #drywall #holes #spackling #easyfix #primer #painting, by HappyDIYtime on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Wipe the hole and the area around it with a damp cloth to remove loose crumbs and dust. Let the wall dry fully before you fill it.
Scoop a small amount of spackle onto the tip of the putty knife. Press it into the hole, pushing from the edges toward the center.
Overfill the hole slightly, then drag the flat edge of the knife across the wall to level the spackle. Wipe the excess back into the tub.
Let the spackle dry completely. Lightweight spackle usually needs 1 to 2 hours, so check the label on your tub.
Sand the patch with a sanding sponge using light circles. Feather the edges so you cannot feel a ridge, then wipe off the dust.
Add a second thin coat if the patch shrank or dipped. Let it dry, sand it smooth and wipe the wall clean again.
Brush or roll a coat of primer over the patch and a little beyond its edges. Let the primer dry.
Paint over the patch with your matching wall paint using a small roller. Apply two thin coats and feather the edges so the sheen blends in.
Tips and common mistakes
Use less spackle than you think you need, since a thin coat dries faster and sands more easily.
Never sand spackle while it is still soft, or you will tear the surface and have to refill it.
Primer stops the patch from soaking up paint and leaving a dull, visible spot on the wall.
Keep a small sample of your wall paint for touch-ups, since colors can fade and batches vary.
Questions
Do I need a drywall patch for a small hole?
No. Holes from nails and screws, up to about half an inch, fill fine with spackle alone. Only larger holes need a patch or mesh behind them.
Can I paint straight over the spackle without primer?
You can, but the dry spackle will soak up paint and may dry unevenly. A quick coat of primer gives a smoother, more even finish.
Why does my patch keep showing after painting?
The edges were probably not sanded flat, or the paint sheen does not match. Sand the patch smooth and feather the paint out past the repair.
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.
