Janice Anderssen - Decor and DIY Expert

Repairing minor wall imperfections

We all have problem spots around the home; settling cracks in newer homes, holes left by picture frame mountings, chips and dents here and there. It's so easy to fix up these areas.

Patching Peeling Paint:
a. Scrape away all the loose paint with a putty knife.
b. Apply spackle/Polifilla to the edges of the remaining paint with the putty knife.
c. Sand the dry patch with 150-grit sandpaper until it is smooth to the touch.
d. Paint with matching paint.

Filling Nail Holes:
a. Using a putty knife, apply a small amount of spackle/Polifilla to the nail hole.
b. Let the spackle/Polifilla dry completely.
c. Lightly sand the area with the sandpaper.
d. Dampen a sponge and wipe away the dust residue from the patch.
e. Before you paint, touch up the spot with primer.

Filling Shallow Dents and Holes:
a. Again with the putty knife, scrape away any loose plaster or paint.
b. Fill the hole with a small amount of spackle/Polifilla.
c. Using the smallest putty knife you have that will reach from one side of the whole to the other (to avoid making a dent with the knife edges), smooth out the spackle/Polifilla until even with the surrounding plaster.
d. Sand the area with sandpaper and prime.

Cracks in Plaster:
a. Scrape away any wall texture or loose plaster with a putty knife.
b. Apply spackle/Polifilla. Don't apply too thick or the spot will just re-crack and you will be right back where you started!
c. If you must, apply a very thin second coat.
d. Sand lightly with sandpaper and prime. It might be necessary to re-texture if your wall is textured.

Article courtesy of www.home-dzine.com . Click here for more home design ideas.