One of the most common projects DIYs homeowners and renters have to do is repairing holes or cracks in walls. The sheer volume of products on the shelves of your local home improvement store can be overwhelming so below are six questions you should ask yourself before you get started.
Do I Need Lightweight or Vinyl?
Choosing the correct type of spackle could make or break your repair project. Here is some information to make your life a little easier:
Lightweight
Lightweight products, like Onetime® Lightweight Spackling, include ingredients that allow it to be paintable in minutes, have no shrinking or cracking and a smoother finish.
- Best for holes less than 1 inch wide and no more than 1/4 inch deep
- No sanding required
- Most can be used on plaster, drywall, stucco wallboards and wood surfaces
- Interior/Exterior use
- Ultra smooth finish
- Paintable
Vinyl
Spackling like, Red Devil’s Pre-Mixed Vinyl Spackling, may take a little longer to dry than the lightweight version because of its thicker consistency.
- Best for holes and cracks that are up to 3/4 inch deep
- Requires sanding
- Most can be used on plaster, drywall, wallboards and wood surfaces
- Interior/Exterior
- Paintable
Will a Squeeze Tube Do the Trick?
For smaller touch up jobs like nail or pin holes it may not be necessary to buy a half-pint of spackle. In cases like these, you may be able to find your favorite spackle in a squeeze tube.
Do I Need Extra Reinforcement?
For those who want their project to have a little more strength than what the spackling provides, but don’t want to go through the trouble of installing a wood backing, we have a solution for you. Mesh or aluminum wall patches, like the Onetime® time fiber mesh crack patch or aluminum wall repair patch, are available to give you the same finished look with much less work. Simply get or trim a patch to be large enough to overlap the hole you are repairing, make sure the patch extends about an inch past the hole on all sides, then adhere it to the wall and cover with multiple coats of your spackle of choice. Be sure to leave enough drying time between each coat of spackle. Many pros recommend applying a light first coat that is flat enough to see the outline of the patch through it, followed by thin second and third coats that extend 8-12 inches beyond the patch in all directions. Depending on the type of spackle you use, it may be necessary to finish this job by sanding, priming and or painting.
Do I Want to Prime?
If your project includes paint, then it may be necessary to apply a primer to the repair site. If you would rather skip this step, use a product like Onetime® Patch Lightweight Spackling. These products include a primer so that once they dry, you paint and you’re done.
Am I Confident on the Dry Time?
There are many factors that may affect your spackle’s dry time- the amount applied, humidity and temperature to name a few. If you are someone who wants to be completely sure that your spackling is dry and ready for the next step, then a product like Onetime® Lighten Up may be what you’re looking for. This product goes on pink but dries white when it’s ready for paint or a second coat.
Do I Have Everything?
If this is your first time taking on a wall repair project or if you happen to be a little rusty, it may be a good idea for you to do a quick check to make sure you have all of the materials you need. If you are someone who likes one stop shopping then you may consider purchasing a wall repair kit to take out the guess work. The wall repair kits include all of the elements needed to complete your wall repair project. One example of these handy kits is the Onetime® Lightweight Spackling 4 Piece Repair Kit which includes a square tub of the lightweight, pre-mixed spackling, a 4”x 4” patch, a 3”x 5” putty knife and 120 grit sandpaper. Grab a kit form your local hardware store or order one online and you’ll have everything you need to get the job done.