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Spackling walls is a simple and effective way to repair small holes and imperfections before painting or wallpapering. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to spackle walls:
1. Prepare the wall: Clean the area to be spackled by removing any dust, dirt, or loose debris.
2. Apply spackle: Using a putty knife, apply a thin layer of spackle over the hole or imperfection. Use enough spackle to fill the hole completely, but not too much to avoid excess.
3. Smooth the spackle: With the putty knife, smooth the spackle evenly across the surface, ensuring it is flush with the wall. Feather the edges to blend it seamlessly.
4. Let it dry: Allow the spackle to dry completely according to the product instructions. This usually takes around 24 hours.
5. Sand the spackle: Once dry, lightly sand the spackled area using fine-grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth finish.
6. Clean and paint: Remove any dust from sanding and clean the area. Then, you can paint or wallpaper the wall as desired.
By following these steps, you can easily spackle walls and achieve a professional-looking finish.
If you have holes, dents, cracks, or any other imperfections on your walls, you can easily fill and repair them using spackle. Spackle is a convenient material that comes in tubs, making it easy to use and store. With spackle, you can quickly apply it to the damaged area and be ready to paint in just 15 minutes. While spackle may not be suitable for every situation, it is perfect for small holes and surface flaws, providing a faster and cleaner solution.
Spackle can be applied using a putty knife or drywall knife.
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AlenaPaulus/E+/GettyImages
Different Types of Spackle for Wall Repair
Spackle, also known as spackling or spackling compound, is a sticky paste made with gypsum and synthetic additives like vinyl or acrylic. It can come in powdered form, which requires mixing with water, but most homeowners prefer the pre-mixed tubs or tubes of spackle. By keeping the lid tightly closed, spackle in tubs can remain moist for up to a year. If it starts to dry out, you can rehydrate it by adding a little water.
A tub of standard vinyl spackle.
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Dap/Home Depot
Spackle comes in various formulas, but the two main categories are lightweight and vinyl. Lightweight spackle is the “instant” version, similar to instant oatmeal or pudding. It is quick to use but lacks substance. On the other hand, vinyl spackle is more versatile and suitable for different situations. It dries slower than lightweight spackle but provides smoother application and better adhesion.
When to Use Spackle for Wall Repair
Spackle is ideal for filling holes made by nails, screws, dings, dents, gouges, and chips. It is also effective for small cracks up to 1/4 inch wide and can conceal unsightly joints in painted woodwork (although caulk may be a better option). Spackle adheres well to bare or painted drywall, plaster, and wood surfaces. When filling deep holes, it is recommended to apply thin layers of spackle, up to 1/4 inch thick, and allow each layer to dry. Applying spackle too thickly can result in cracks and excessive shrinkage.
While some spackle formulas claim to be “no-shrink,” shrinkage is usually dependent on the thickness of the application. Thicker layers are more prone to shrinkage. It is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for optimal results. To minimize shrinkage, slightly overfill the hole and sand it flush once it has dried. It is better to apply too much spackle than too little.
The spackle that is lightweight and dries quickly changes color as it dries.
Image Credit:
Dap/Home Depot
Lightweight spackle is specifically designed for small holes, such as nail holes in trim and holes left from removing nails, thumbtacks, or hangers in walls. It is not as effective for larger patches that need to be smoothed out and leveled. For all other jobs, including holes up to 3/4 inch deep, standard vinyl spackle is recommended. It spreads easily with a putty knife and can be thinly applied along the edges to blend into the surrounding surface.
Steps for Applying Spackle to Walls
For tiny holes, lightweight spackle can be applied using a finger, but it is generally best to use a putty knife for any type of spackle application.
- Take a small amount of spackle and place it on the edge or corner of the putty knife. Press the spackle into the hole or crack, while keeping the putty knife almost flat against the wall. Swipe the knife over the hole to fill it.
- Remove any excess spackle from the putty knife by scraping it onto the edge of the tub or using a wooden scrap. Make a second pass over the hole at an angle to smooth the patch and remove any excess spackle. It is acceptable if the hole is slightly overfilled.
- Allow the spackle to dry according to the instructions. Some lightweight spackle changes color to indicate that it is dry and ready for painting.
- Inspect the patch. If it is not fully filled, apply a second coat as needed. If it is too full and creates a bump on the wall surface, lightly sand it with a 150-grit sanding sponge or sandpaper until it is flush.
- Use a clean rag to wipe off any sanding dust. All types of spackle can be primed or painted once they are dry.
When to Use Mud, Patching Plaster, or Caulk
Spackle is similar to drywall compound, also known as drywall mud. Sometimes people mistakenly refer to spackle as mud. Like spackle, drywall mud can be used to fill holes and cracks in drywall, plaster, and wood. However, mud is thinner and takes longer to dry than spackle. Mud is specifically designed for finishing drywall joints covered with joint tape. Spackle is not as suitable for this purpose, especially for long runs of tape, such as in new drywall installation.
As mentioned, spackle can fill small holes (up to approximately 1 inch in diameter) in plaster. However, for larger holes, patching plaster is a better option. Patching plaster builds up better than spackle and is less prone to cracking. Large holes in drywall should be filled with a patch of drywall and covered with seam tape along the edges of the patch. The tape can be finished with spackle or drywall mud.
Spackle does not have much flexibility in terms of expansion and contraction, so it is not suitable for areas that require flexibility. This includes joints between different materials, such as drywall and wood or ceramic tile, or joints in wood that open up during winter due to wood shrinkage. In these cases, caulk is the appropriate choice, not spackle. Additionally, spackle should never be used as a sealant indoors or outdoors, or in areas that may get wet. These tasks require the appropriate type of caulk.
To achieve a smooth and even surface, sand the dried spackle. Image Credit: UGL.
