Blemish Repair – How to Use Spackle

So you think you’re ready for your paint project? You’ve cleared the room of furnishings, removed all paintings and curtains/rods, and placed a tarp on the floor to catch any stray drips. But then, you look around at the surfaces you are about to paint and realize that your walls are far from flawless. They have holes from nails, scratches from furniture, and a few pock marks from everyday living. That’s where wall spackle products can save the day and repair any small blemishes on your walls! 

If you are looking for a flawless finish to your paint job, taking care of all of those little blemishes can make all the difference. Spackle comes in a few different types and should be used carefully when repairing small holes and dings. 

Let’s review some of those splackling rules before you get started. 

Filling Small Holes and Dents 

After you have removed all the furnishings and cleaned the walls with warm water, you may notice a few areas that need some repairs, such as nail holes where pictures were once hung or dents along chair rails. 

For these smaller holes and dents, spackle, which comes in small tubs and is the consistency of toothpaste, should be the perfect fix for these imperfections on your surfaces. 

Spackle is fairly easy to use and comes in a pre-mixed container for home use. Spackle products can be wiped over holes in your walls once you have cleaned the area and made sure that all the loose pieces of the drywall have been removed. 

Once the area has been prepped, be sure to wipe the spackle on with a small putty knife using only as much as you need to fill the hole. Try holding the putty knife at a 45 degree angle and pushing the product into the hole as you scrape over it. Scrape off any extra and allow the spackle to dry completely. 

For larger holes, you may need to apply a couple of coats of the spackle to fill the hole. Once the cavity is filled and dried, gently sand the area and wipe away any dust until the blemish is no longer there and the surface is smooth. 

If you’re happy with the results, you will want to paint with a primer over the areas that have been repaired before you paint with the main color. If you feel the area needs work, try another layer of spackle and sand down to a smooth finish.

Materials Needed 

To complete a wall repair job using spackle, you will need a few materials before you get started. 

• Spackle compound – we suggest the pre-mixed variety. 
• A putty knife
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Cloths for cleaning
• Sponges

If your repair areas are larger, you may need to consider using wall putty and consulting an expert for proper application. 

Our team can help make your walls look professionally repaired and painted. Talk to us about a free estimate for your next paint project. 

Categorised in: Interior painting, Jerry Enos, Painting Challenges, Painting Equipment