How to Repair Holes in Drywall With Mesh
Preparing to paint a wall requires a little bit of repair and cleaning before you start. Cracks and small dings in drywall are easily fixed with a putty knife and a light coating of spackle or joint compound. Holes in the wall take a little more effort. There is nothing for the compound to fix onto when there is a hole. Easy-to-use hole repair kits are available with adhesive sheets of fiberglass mesh that can be cut to the shape you require and then coated with spackle or patch filler. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Self-adhesive fiberglass mesh tape
- Utility knife
- Putty knife
- Joint compound
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Damp rag
- Primer
- Paint brush
- Paint
Instructions
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1
Use the utility knife to square up the edges of the hole. Blow out any little pieces of debris or dust. Use the knife to cut off stray bits of paper that might have pulled up when the hole was made.
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2
Cut a piece of the fiberglass mesh tape that is an inch longer on either end than the hole. If the hole is large you may need several pieces of tape to cover it up. Press firmly on the edges adhering to the drywall so you have a good seal.
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3
Scoop a small amount of joint compound onto the putty knife and apply to the hole with the knife at a slight angle. Scrape off extra compound and continue around the hole until it is covered. Scrape a final time across all areas that have compound to make a smooth finish. Let this dry 24 hours.
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4
Lightly sand the patched area to remove imperfections and bumps. Reapply joint compound in the same manner but go a little farther than the patched area and feather out the product to conceal the square hole. Scrape a final time over every area with the putty knife to ensure excess compound is removed. Let dry for 24 hours.
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5
Sand the area lightly to remove imperfections and help feather out the edges of the patch. Wipe off with a damp rag and let the area air dry for an hour. Paint over the patched spot with primer. Let dry for the length of time the can recommends. After that time has elapsed, paint it with a paint that matches the rest of the wall.
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References
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