The goal is to clean the hole up enough that the wall repair patch will sit flat on top of it with no loose debris or ragged paper edges pushing against it or interfering with the adhesive. This method works for holes that are up to about 6 in (15 cm) in diameter. Wall patches come in sizes up to 7–8 in (18–20 cm) in diameter, and the patch needs to be slightly bigger than the hole to adhere to the wall around it.
You can buy wall repair patches in different sizes, so you can also just buy one that is the right size. Wall repair patches are made of a mesh material that is able to support spackling on top of it.
You don’t need to wait for the patch to dry on the wall, the adhesive patch will be sealed and ready to cover up as soon as you stick it on.
Overlapping the joint compound onto the surrounding wall will make it easier to blend in so the patch isn’t noticeable.
Don’t sand too hard or you might expose the mesh patch below the compound. Just focus on smoothing out any rough spots and blending it in with the wall.
If you want to make the joint compound textured, you can dab it with a sponge while it is still wet or use a textured paint roller to apply a final thin layer of watered-down compound. If you’re ready to paint the wall, use a water-based primer to prime the patch before applying wall paint.
This method works for holes that are bigger than 6 in (15 cm) in diameter.
You can purchase small pieces of drywall for patching that are 2 ft (0. 61 m) in diameter.
If you don’t have a drywall screw you can use a wood screw instead.
For example, you can use a construction adhesive like liquid nails.
You can either push the screw through the patch into the wall void once it has dried or unscrew it and pull it out.
This will ensure that the patch is secured strongly in place and will be able to support the weight of joint compound.
Use the widest putty knife you have to smooth out the edges more easily.
If you don’t let the joint compound dry completely, there will be moisture trapped inside that can cause the patch to fall apart.
Just try to get rid of any rough patches and blend the edges into the surrounding wall. You will be repeating the process, so don’t worry about getting it perfect.
If you need to make the joint compound textured to match the rest of the wall, use a textured roller to apply the watered-down compound as the final layer or dab the final layer with a sponge while it is still wet. Remember to let the final coat dry for at least 24 hours before priming the patch and painting the wall.
