How To Spackle Wall?

This is the first step to start the repair of your wall. You need to get the exact material for your wall that it needs. Now, for this, select the right spackle compound. You can get spackle in two ways. One of its variants is a pre-mixed paste, and the second variant is of acrylic.

The pre-mixed paste comes as a powdered form. You have to mix it with water. The mixing should be consistent. You need to get the proper consistency. It is sold as lightweight spackle in the market. You may find it by the name ‘all-purpose’ spackle. It includes a vinyl binding agent. And it works best for small holes.

The second variant comes with an acrylic agent. It is suitable for large holes. You can use this type when you cannot use lightweight spackle. Both types come for a rigid hole. You cannot use them for a flexible area. They have elasticity. This feature reduces the possibility of shrinking. So, now it is your turn to choose a proper spackle. Analyze the hole in your wall. Then, get the right spackle material for it. Do not confuse spackle with a similar compound that is caulk.

After arranging a proper spackle material, you need to prepare the whole area. This you need to do for better sticking of spackle. If you improve its surrounding, then it will enhance the putty’s sticking capacity. You can use your putty knife for this step. If you do not have a putty knife, then you can use fine-grit sandpaper also. It will help you to remove all the dust particles and debris. You should aim for a hole with less than 4 inches in diameter. Spackle can be used to repair holes of our hand size. 

You have to use some support like wire or mesh if you want to repair large holes. Use grit sandpaper on the drywall around the hole. A drywall is made from a combination of gypsum, facer paper, and backer paper. When the drywall is damaged, then you can make use of your spackle to repair it. If you leave the damaged fragments and particles, then your putty won’t stick properly. That’s why we are advising you to use sandpaper. It will smooth the area around the hole, even for the worst case.

To use the sandpaper, you have placed it over the hole. Then, rotate it back and forth. You need to do this clockwise and anticlockwise. Do this four to five times. This will keep the repairing are smaller than the sanding from each side. If the wall if highly damaged, then use 100-grit sandpaper. If you are patching the smaller area, then you can use a wet cloth for cleaning. Another best alternative for sandpaper is the rougher side of a damped sponge. It will absorb all the dust and other unwanted particles.

Now, it is time to mix and apply the spackle. Preparing the spackle depends on its material. If you have bought the lightweight spackle, then you have to mix it well along with water. Get a bucket or a proper container to do this. Now put your spackle compound in that container. Add the water slowly.

Add little water initially. Then mix it well with spackle. Now, add more water and mix it well. You need to get a proper, consistent mixture. That’s why you should prepare a less mixture initially. After that, you can always prepare more amount of mixture. All you need to have proper consistency in the mixture. 

You can also get pre-mixed spackle. They are generally good. You need not make any effort to prepare the mixture. If you are using this, then don’t use it as it is. Open the container and stir it well once. Then you can use it. When you take out the required amount of compound, then close the lid. Do not keep the lid open; otherwise, it will get dried up. After this, you are ready with your spackle compound.

Now to check the consistency of your compound, dip the knife in it. If you don’t see any lumps, then you have prepared it well. Otherwise, go back and prepare the mixture again. Now, use the putty knife again. This time dip the edge of that knife into the spackling compound. Scoop out some compound at the edge. Get a little more amount of compound than its requirement. 

Now you are ready with your spackling compound. You have taken the amount of compound on your knife. After this, hold the knife against the damaged site. The knife should be placed slightly above this damaged hole. Hold it with some angle. Now, apply the spackle to that patch in a downward sense.

When you fill the hole, hold the knife at a 90-degree angle. Scrap the excess amount of compound by the knife. You should be attentive while doing this. You should not remove any compound from the hole. Otherwise, your effort will go in vain. And then you have to fill the whole again with a new batch of compound.

You need not strive for perfection while doing this filling work. First, you place the putty in the proper position. You will anyhow get a smooth surface after the compound dries up; after this, use a damped cloth to wipe up all the residual compounds from the wall. You can even use a sponge in place of cloth. If you have a sponge, then prefer using that. It will absorb all the dust particles as well. If you are using a cloth, then you need to clean it for every use. But sponge can do this task with very little time.

You have done the majority of your work. Now you have to review your work. Leave the putty as it is for about two to three hours.you can do any other work until it gets dry. Now you have to review your work. You can go to see the putty. The compound should be dried. Do not worry if the patch is recessed. This is because of shrinking in the paste. This happens because of drying. 

Now repeat the previous steps. This time, leave a slight mound. You have to sand this mound later. Again wait for two hours more. Now, this should be dried up. You can now proceed to the next step. Before going to the next step, make sure that you have reviewed your work nicely. If not, then review it properly and then go ahead.

Now, you have mastered the process of spackling. The next step ahead of this is painting and priming. You need to paint the patch in the area so that it matches with the remaining wall. For this, you need to place the sheet on the floor. This task is before painting.
Apply a primer to the wall. Before applying primer, make sure that the putty is dried up. Use a roller or any paintbrush to apply the primer. You can use even, measured strokes with the roller to apply it. The applied primer will dry after 3 to 4 hours. It depends on the weather. If its cold, then it may take some more time. 

After this, take the matching paint color. You can buy it from any paint shop. Because you are not repainting the whole wall, you should use the matching paint. Apply the first layer of paint. Let it dry. You can use a roller to apply the paint. It will take 4 to 5 hours for the paint to dry.

Now, after it gets dried up, apply the second layer of paint. To cover the spackle adequately, you need to use one more layer of paint. It depends on the spackle. If you need another layer of paint, then give some time for the second layer to dry up.
Now, you have completed the spackling of your wall!