How to Patch Drywall Cracks and Fill in Holes
- 1). Clean the area surrounding the holes and cracks. Spackle adheres best to a surface free of dirt, dust and debris. Use a utility knife to remove chunky pieces of drywall and cut away large, loose pieces of paint. Thoroughly brush the wall to remove dust and gypsum powder. Wipe the area with a damp cloth. Dry the area.
- 2). Apply spackle to the holes. Scoop a portion of spackle from its container with the putty knife. Let the lump of spackle rest near the putty knife's edge. With the spackle side up, draw the knife near to the first hole. Position the putty knife in front of the hole and carefully push the lump of spackle into the hole. Apply forward pressure until the face of the putty knife touches the wall.
- 3). Draw the knife downward and away from the hole, dragging excess spackle away from the repair area. Twist your wrist and scoop away from the wall to remove excess spackle.
- 4). Apply spackle to cracks. Load the putty knife with spackle. Begin at the top of the crack. Push the lump of spackle firmly into the fissure. Continue to apply pressure and, as the face of the knife touches the wall, begin to draw the putty knife along the entire length of the crack. Scoop excess putty from the wall, remove it from the knife and draw the clean knife across the length of the crack. Drawing a clean knife along the crack will smooth the spackle.
- 5). Allow the spackle to cure according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- 6). Use sandpaper to smooth and blend the spackle with the wall's surface. Sand large chunks and protrusions with medium grit sandpaper and finish the blending job with fine grit sandpaper until the wall is smooth.
