How To Fix A Dent In The Wall

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Drywall is pretty tough, but an accidental elbow or a doorknob slam tin can create dents in it that are difficult to ignore. Fortunately, fixing a dent in your wall isn't tough, and you can DIY it with but a few tools and an hour of labor. Go on reading to learn how you can patch a small dent that's less than ^one⁄₂  in (one.3 cm) broad or a large paring that's more than than ¹⁄_two  in (i.3 cm) wide all on your own.

Things You Should Know

• Fix small wall dents with drywall mud and a plaster filigree.
• For big dents, use a drywall patch kit.
• Utilise 100-dust sandpaper to smooth the repair before painting over it.

1. 1

   Smooth on drywall mud with a putty knife. ^[1] Selection upward a tub of drywall mud and grab a putty pocketknife from the hardware store. Scoop upward a small glob of drywall mud, then use your putty knife to spread it over the dent. Y'all don't need a ton of drywall mud—simply add a thin layer to encompass the dent completely.^[2]

   • This method works all-time for small dents that are ¹⁄₂  in (1.three cm) across or less.

2. 2

   Utilise a plaster filigree for reinforcement. Purchase a sheet of plaster grid and cut out a small square, just big enough to cover the dent. While the drywall mud is still moisture, stick the plaster grid onto the wall to cover and reinforce the dent.^[three]

   • Using a plaster grid is optional, but it will assist reinforce your wall and forbid new harm in the hereafter.

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3. 3

   Comprehend the plaster grid with more drywall mud. Take hold of your putty knife again and add more than drywall mud in a sparse layer over the grid. Add together merely enough so yous can't come across the plaster grid anymore, and employ your putty pocketknife to smooth out any lumps in the mud.^[4]

4. 4

   Wait for the putty to dry. ^[v] Drywall mud usually takes about 24 hours to dry. It'south important to permit the drywall mud cure completely; otherwise, your next steps could damage your wall even further. To speed upwardly the drying process, bespeak a fan at the wall overnight.^[vi]

5. v

   Sand the putty until it's affluent with the wall. ^[7] Before you outset sanding, put on an N95 mask to avert animate in any drywall dust. Catch a sail of 100- or 120-grit sandpaper, then sand the drywall mud until it's flush with the wall. Accept your fourth dimension, and make certain the wall is really smooth before you movement on.^[8]

   • If you want to ensure that your patch job isn't noticeable at all, you can add another layer of drywall mud after the first round of sanding. Permit information technology dry for 24 hours, then practise a last circular of sanding once more to smooth it all out.

6. 6

   Pigment the wall to match the color. Pick up a bucket of pigment that matches your wall color. Use a paint castor or a roller to paint the entire expanse so it looks seamless and smooth. One time the paint dries, you won't be able to see your patch job anymore!^[9]

   • If you aren't sure what the verbal color of your wall is, chip off a small sliver of paint and accept it to a hardware store. They'll be able to match the paint color precisely and then you don't have to guess.
   • If your wall is textured, choice up a tin can of wall texture spray and spray it over the patched expanse before you add paint.^[10]

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1. 1

   Buy a drywall patch kit from the hardware shop. About kits come with a stencil and a drywall patch that y'all can cut to match the size of your exact dent. You can observe these in the drywall department at your local hardware store, or you tin can search online. Some of them also come with drywall mud and a putty knife, merely if yours doesn't, be sure to pick those things up at the shop earlier you start.^[xi]

   • Big dents are any dents that are wider than ⁱ⁄₂  in (ane.3 cm) across.

2. 2

   Use the stencil to cut a hole around the paring. Grab your drywall patch stencil and use a pencil to draw a circle around the paring. Cutting the drywall with a box cutter to remove the dent from the wall. Then, pry the cutting circle of drywall off of your wall and throw information technology away.^[12]

   • If your drywall patch kit didn't come up with a stencil, that'south okay! Just cut a circle around the dent with a box cutter. You'll be able to modify the drywall patch if y'all need to.^[xiii]

3. 3

   Spread drywall mud around the within of the circle. ^[14] Grab a putty pocketknife and scoop upward a thick glob of drywall mud. Spread the mud all over the perimeter of the circle, smoothing it out onto the wall about 2 in (5.one cm) in all directions. It's okay if you go a little scrap of mud on the within of the drywall, also.^[15]

   • The drywall mud here acts as an anchor to concord your drywall patch in identify.

4. iv

   Attach the patch to the wall with more than drywall mud. Catch your drywall patch and place it over the hole in the wall. Scoop upwardly more drywall mud, then add a thin layer over the unabridged drywall patch. Smooth the mud out from the patch about two in (5.ane cm) to really anchor it on.^[sixteen]

   • If you lot need to cut your patch, exercise that with pair of scissors start before putting it on the wall. Cutting a circumvolve that's about 2 in (5.1 cm) larger than the pigsty in your wall.
   • To prevent the patch from falling dorsum into the wall, avoid pressing too hard directly on the centre of the circle. Focus on smoothing the drywall mud out over the edges of the patch and onto the wall around information technology.

5. v

   Expect for the area to dry, then sand the wall. Drywall mud usually takes well-nigh 24 hours to dry. In one case the area is completely dry, apply 100- or 120-grit sandpaper to completely sand the unabridged area until information technology's polish. Clothing an N95 mask when you sand drywall, as the grit isn't dandy for your lungs.^[17]

   • Sanding the wall is the longest part of this entire procedure. Sanding past hand can have upwardly to xxx minutes.

6. 6

   Paint the wall to match the colour. Pick upward a gallon of paint that matches your wall color exactly. Use a paint brush or a paint roller to embrace upwardly the patched area, then allow it dry. If you lot're using a lighter pigment color, y'all might need to add multiple coats.^[18]

   • If your drywall is textured, grab a tin can of texture spray from the hardware store and spray it over the patched surface area. Expect for information technology to dry, then add pigment on top.^[19]

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• Drywall grit can cause throat and airway irritation. Ever wear an N95 mask when sanding drywall.^[20]

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Things You lot'll Need

• Drywall mud
• Putty pocketknife
• Plaster grid
• 100- or 120-dust sandpaper
• N95 mask
• Pigment brush or roller
• Paint

• Drywall patch kit
• Pencil
• Box cutter
• Drywall mud
• Putty knife
• 100- or 120-dust sandpaper
• N95 mask
• Pigment brush or roller
• Paint

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