How to Spackle a Wall in 5 Simple Steps
Patch holes like a pro
- Mixing paddle
- Putty knife
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Spackle compound
- Compound bucket
If your walls could use major repairs or you have a few unsightly nail holes to fill, spackle compound can be handy. Plus, the material is excellent for DIY drywall repair projects. It's a breeze to apply, even for folks who don't have a ton of DIY experience under their belt. All you need are a few drywall tools and a free afternoon, and you'll be working with like-new walls in no time. This guide will teach you how to spackle a wall like a pro.
Prepping to Apply Wall Spackle
Before you start spackling the wall, spend a few minutes clearing away anything on the floor beneath the area you plan to spackle. Then, put a drop cloth or towel down to protect the floor from spackle splatters. This is also a good time to grab all your tools and supplies, including the bucket you plan to mix the spackle compound into.
It’s also a good idea to consider your materials. Spackle and joint compound are used to fill different types of drywall cracks, holes, and dents. Spackle is more elastic, which makes it better for repairing minor damage. It won’t shrink as much as it dries, so you can use a single coat. If you have a larger crack or hole that requires taping to repair, you’ll need to use joint compound. Spackle is not a substitute for joint compound.
Clean the Area
Spackle compound sticks best to smooth, clean surfaces, so take time to prepare the area you're spackling. Use a damp cloth to clean any dirt from the area, then use a putty knife to remove debris around the hole. If the area is rough, gently sand it with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth it out before spackling.
Mix Your Spackle Compound
If you opted for a premixed spackle compound, you can skip this step. If you bought powdered spackle compound, now is the time to mix it with water. Start with a small amount. Read the manufacturer's instructions to determine how much water to mix in, and use a mixing paddle to combine the mixture.
The final consistency should be stiff enough to stick to your mixing paddle when you remove it but not so stiff that it's difficult to work with. If it's too stiff, you can add more water. And if it's too watery, add more powdered compound until you reach the desired consistency.
Apply the Spackle With a Putty Knife
Now that your spackle is mixed and ready to go, it's time to apply it. Dip your putty knife into the spackle compound and scoop out a generous amount—you can always wipe away excess compound after you apply.
Load your spackle knife with compound. Hold it at an angle and place it above the area you want to fill, then gently pull the knife down, filling the hole with the compound. Don't worry about getting compound outside and around the hole. You'll wipe this away and sand it down in the next steps.
Depending on the size of the hole, you might only need to do this once. But if the hole still needs to be completely filled, repeat this step until it's full of compound.
After filling the hole, wipe off your putty knife with a rag, then drag it at an angle across the hole again to remove excess compound around the hole. Make sure the hole remains completely full after this step. If it’s not, add some more compound and repeat it.
Next, use a damp cloth to wipe away any compound that might be left around the hole.
Let the Spackle Dry and Apply a Second Coat (If Necessary)
After cleaning up the residual compound around the hole let the area dry. The drying time for spackle is around two hours, but it can vary from compound to compound. Before proceeding, touch the spackle to see if it's dry to the touch.
It's common for spackle to shrink as it dries, sinking into the hole you filled. If you notice that the spackle has sunk into the hole, apply a second coat. To keep the spackle from receding into the hole again, mound the paste over the hole rather than spreading it flat.
Let the new coat dry before you proceed.
Sand Around the Hole
Now that your second coat is dry use fine-grit sandpaper to sand down the compound until it's completely smooth and flush with the wall. Depending on how much you need to sand, start with coarse sandpaper before finishing with fine grit.
Finally, use a damp cloth to wipe away any dust. At this point, your wall should be ready for any next steps, such as painting or wallpapering.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Spackling is a doable DIY for most handy homeowners. It does take some trial and error to get a smooth finish but it can save you significant money. A drywall repair kit costs around $45 from your local hardware store, compared to $300 to $950 for the cost of professional drywall repair.
That said, DIY repairs are often noticeable. You won’t get the same invisible finish as a pro, but many homeowners don’t mind if it’s a small repair like a tiny crack or nail hole—especially if it’s hidden behind furniture or picture frames. For more significant repair jobs, it’s best to bring in a local drywall repair contractor who can make your wall look new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spackle and joint compound have a few key differences. Joint compound, also known as drywall mud, consists of limestone and gypsum. It's primarily used to finish large-scale wall projects, like smoothing the drywall seams on newly installed walls.
Spackle compound is composed of gypsum and binding agents, and it's slightly thicker than joint compound. Spackle compound is often used on small wall repair projects, like filling nail holes or repairing minor damage.
Smaller is better when patching holes with spackle. Any holes wider than four to six inches in diameter tend to be too wide to repair with spackle alone. You'll likely want to patch bigger holes with a drywall panel.
Even holes measuring up to 6 inches may be challenging to fill with spackle alone. For best results, purchase a wall repair patch made from wire mesh. Cut the patch to fit over the hole, then use the spackle to hold it in place. Apply the spackle over the patch as you would for a smaller hole.
Yes, it's a good idea to sand the wall with fine-grit sandpaper after spackling, especially if you plan on painting. You can do this by hand or using a sander, but the idea is to ensure the spackle is flush with the wall. Sanding will give your wall a smooth, uniform finish and help your paint and wallpaper stay put.
The right sandpaper will help you turn rough spackle into a smooth surface ready for paint. Sandpaper is rated by grit size, with a smaller number meaning a heavier grit. For example, 80-grit sandpaper is much coarser than 150-grit sandpaper.
The ideal grit to use when sanding spackle is 120 grit. You may sand first with 120-grit paper, then go over the spackled area with 150-grit paper to finish the job. However, if you're painting the patched area, you don't need the surface to be absolutely smooth and polished. For most projects, 120-grit sandpaper is sufficient.
Applying spackle is a simple DIY project that most people can complete in just a few hours. Even homeowners who have little DIY experience can complete this project in an afternoon. However, if you're uncomfortable with the project or don't have the time, you can always hire a pro to help.
