Small (nail holes, <1/2") — Spackle (Beginner)
- Apply lightweight spackle with putty knife, slightly overfilling
- Let dry (15-30 minutes for lightweight)
- Sand smooth with fine sandpaper
- Prime and paint
Walls & Paint
Drywall hanging and finishing, painting techniques, trim and molding installation, and wall repair guides.
Drywall: Hanging, Taping, and Finishing
Difficulty: Intermediate
- Hanging — Measure and cut drywall sheets (score with utility knife, snap). Screw into studs every 12-16 inches using drywall screws. Stagger seams.
- Taping — Apply joint compound (mud) over seams, embed paper or mesh tape, smooth with 6" knife. Let dry completely (24 hours).
- Second Coat — Apply wider coat (8-10" knife) over tape, feathering edges. Fill all screw dimples. Let dry.
- Third Coat — Final skim coat with 12" knife, feathering out 12-18" from the seam for invisible transition. Let dry.
- Sanding — Sand with 120-150 grit sanding sponge or pole sander. Use work light at low angle to spot imperfections.
- Texturing (optional) — Options: knockdown, orange peel, skip trowel, smooth. Practice on scrap first.
Tips
- Hang ceilings first, then walls (ceiling sheets help support wall sheets at top)
- Use 1/2" drywall for walls, 5/8" for ceilings (sag-resistant) and fire-rated areas
- Moisture-resistant (green board) for bathroom walls, cement board behind tile
- Don't over-sand — you'll damage the paper face and create visible fuzzing
- The key to invisible seams is FEATHERING — thin coats spread wide
Patching Holes
Medium (1/2" to 6") — Self-adhesive mesh patch (Beginner)
- Clean the area around the hole
- Apply self-adhesive mesh patch over the hole
- Apply joint compound over the mesh with a wide knife, feathering edges
- Let dry, apply second coat, let dry again
- Sand smooth, prime, and paint
Large (6" and up) — California patch or drywall piece (Intermediate)
- Cut a clean rectangle around the damage
- Cut a new piece of drywall to fit. For California patch: cut piece 2" larger, score and snap back face but keep front paper as a flange
- For standard patch: screw backer board (1x3 or drywall strip) behind the opening, then screw new piece to backer
- Tape all seams with paper tape and joint compound
- Three coats of mud, sanding between coats, prime and paint