A smooth surface is essential for a good paint job. Preparing your walls is crucial. It allows you to fix any wall damage (including cracks and holes) before you apply the first coat of paint. These are some wall-repair tricks that will help you get the best out of your paint job.
Wall Repair, Small and Large
We recommend that you don’t attempt to repair drywall holes larger than the head of a hammer. Here are our tips to repair wall damage big and small.
Dings and Dents
Small holes and divots are the easiest to fix. You’ll need:
- Packling that dries quickly
- Sandpaper or drywall sanding spong
- Drywall knife
Remove any debris. Use your putty knife to smoothen the fast-drying spackling. Sand* after 24 hours.
Popped Nail Heads
Do you notice circular bulges or visible nail heads in your drywall? These are called nail pops. They occur when the drywall moves and a nail is loose. These are cosmetic and easy to fix. You’ll need:
- Hammer
- Drill or screwdriver
- To ensure they stay in place, wall screws should be sized to penetrate at least three quarters inch into the stud.
- Joint compound
- Drywall knife
- Sandpaper or drywall sanding spong
One screw should be inserted into each stud approximately one inch above the nail, and one approximately one inch below. You can then either hammer it back in or take it out. You can then cover the nail holes with joint compound. Wall screws sink to the floor. Sand* after 24 hours. You can still see wall damage if you wait 24 hours before reapplying the compound.
Small Holes
A patch kit can repair small holes up to 2 inches in diameter. You’ll need:
- Kit for making a mesh patch
- Drywall knife
- Joint compound or spackling compound
- Sandpaper or drywall sanding spong
Follow the instructions to attach the mesh patch to the hole. Apply the compound with a drywall knife. After 24 hours, sand*.
Repaint
After the wall has been prepared, it’s time to start painting. You should note that high-gloss paints, certain textures, and faux finishes can highlight wall damage if you are painting the entire room. For the smoothest finish, choose matte, eggshell, or satin wall finishes.
Prime the wall before you apply high-gloss paint to a wall that has been repaired or added texture. Prime the wall first to conceal any wall damage and make it stick better.
Wall preparation is a key part of our painting process. Learn about our interior painting services or get free 8” x 8” paint swatches from our color consultants today.