Home Garden

How to Apply Spackle

Almost everyone will at some point find themselves with a hole, dent or crack in a wall that needs to be patched up. While it may seem like a daunting task at first, it is actually very simple to repair minor wall damage yourself by using Spackle, which can be purchased from any hardware or home improvement store. Once you have learned how to apply Spackle to a wall, you'll be able to fix any future damage in no time at all.

Things You'll Need

  • Drywall tape
  • Putty knife
  • Sandpaper
  • Sponge
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Instructions

    • 1

      Scrape away any loose paint chips or bits of plaster with a putty knife before you begin working. If the damage you're repairing is a crack in the wall, apply a piece of mesh drywall tape over the crack to reinforce it.

    • 2

      Scoop a small amount of Spackle out of its container with a putty knife. Apply the Spackle to the damaged area; use the knife to force the Spackle into any holes and smooth it out as much as possible. Allow the Spackle to dry completely before moving on; you will know it's dry when it turns white.

    • 3

      Use sandpaper to sand down any bumps or ridges in the dried Spackle until it is smooth and blends in with the rest of the wall.

    • 4

      Moisten a sponge with water, then wipe down the repaired area to clean up any dust that is left over from sanding.