This will help your new coat of paint to adhere better.

Use the putty knife to trowel a thin coat of DAP DryDex Dry Time Indicator Spackling to the back of the patch, spreading the spackling flat enough to see the outline of the patch through it.

After drying, if your patch isn’t perfectly smooth, apply a second coat of your compound, let dry and repeat the same steps for sanding.įor glossy painted surfaces like your window and door trim, lightly sand to a dull finish and then wipe clean with a slightly damp cloth. Place a patch from the DAP Wall Repair Patch Kit over the hole in the drywall, pressing firmly around the outer edges to ensure a strong bond.

For easier cleanup or to protect your furnishings, lay down a drop cloth to catch the spackle dust.

Allow your compound to dry overnight and then smooth the surface with a fine-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge.

Gently remove as much excess compound as possible while it is still wet.

Use a flexible putty knife to push spackling or patching compound into the hole, through and around the mesh.

For larger holes or dents, use a self-adhesive fiberglass mesh tape stretched across the area you’re repairing.

Give the spackle a few hours to dry before smoothing it out with a fine-grit sanding sponge. This will make your job less messy when it comes to sanding.

Just swipe on the compound and gently remove as much excess as possible, right away. A flexible putty knife is best for working it in. Step 2: Repairing Small Holesįill any small holes and cracks with a spackling or patching compound. If your walls have nail holes, cracks, nicks or flaking paint, here are a few things you need to do to properly prepare the surface so it’s smooth, dry and clean for painting! Step 1: Scrapingįor previously painted surfaces, begin by scraping off any loose, bubbling or flaking paint with a rigid putty knife and then smooth the area out with a fine-grit sanding sponge.īe safe! Wear a dust mask whenever scraping off paint or sanding down surfaces. Ensure great-looking, long-lasting results

Putty to patch holes in wall