Repairing a Plasterboard Hole With Mesh

Trim any loose plaster from the edges of the holes with a razor blade. Sand the edges of the hole until they are relatively smooth.

Cut a sheet of fine metal mesh so it is 2 or 3 inches larger than the hole on all sides. Cut a 10-inch length of wire and loop it through the center of the mesh square.

Bend the mesh in half so it slips through the hole. Grasp the wire and pull it forward so the mesh is held tight against the wall interior and covers the entire surface of the hole.

Wrap the wire ends tightly around a paint stirrer stick so the stick sits flush to the front of the hole and holds the mesh in place.

Fill the hole with drywall repair compound, using a putty knife to apply it. Smooth the compound into the hole to the edges of the damaged drywall, working it behind the paint stirrer. The mesh holds the compound in place as it's applied.

Stipple the patched area with the a wire brush to provide a rough surface for the final patching coat to adhere to.

Remove the paint stirrer. Cut the protruding wire ends flush to the wall with a pair of wire clippers.

Smooth a final coat of drywall compound over the patched area with a putty knife. Smooth the compound so it's even and feather the edges to blend them into the surrounding wall texture. Paint over the patched area after the compound has dried completely.