Drywall is a common material used for home improvement projects because it can be quickly installed and spackled, painted, sanded, hung wall art, etc. If you are considering spackling the walls of your own home, then some basic steps on how to spackle drywall.

1. Prepare the wall

You first need to prepare the wall by filling in any significant holes with a joint compound, also known as ‘mud.’ You can use a taping knife or spatula for this task.

2. Apply spackle over the mud

Apply drywall spackle over the mud layer using a large drywall knife or trowel. Use your spreader to ensure even coverage and remove excess spackle, which can be used later if necessary.

3. Smooth the area

With your knife or trowel, smooth out the surface of the wall until it is entirely flat with no particles sticking up.

4. Let it dry and sand

Let the spackle dry for a few hours before sanding the area with a fine grade of sandpaper to smooth out any bumps or ridges left behind by your trowel or knife.

5. Apply another layer of mud over top

Once you are satisfied with how smooth the area looks, it is time to apply another layer of wall mud over the top. Be sure to let this dry completely before applying the spackle again and sanding it smooth.

6. Repeat steps 4 & 5 until you reach your desired level of perfection

Repeat these few simple steps every day or so until you have reached your desired level of perfection in the smoothness of your wall. It is best to wait until the wall has dried entirely before beginning this process again. Otherwise, you may break through the dry mud layer and have to start over from the beginning.

7. Tape off any areas that are not rough enough for spackling

If some places on the wall do not need spackling, it is essential to tape off these areas. Otherwise, you may find that the spackle has been applied in a less than even manner.

8. Wait until the wall is arid

It is essential to make sure the wall is arid before applying any additional layers of mud or spackle. You can tell the wall is dry when it does not feel cold to the touch and cracks, bubbles, or other imperfections have been removed.

9. Sand again

Once you are satisfied with how even your spackle layer is, sand down any bumps and ridges left behind and repainted as necessary. While this may seem like a time-consuming and potentially messy step, it is well worth the effort, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful new spackled wall.

10. Fill in any cracks or holes

If there are any cracks or holes left behind after your upgrades, fill these in as usual with spackle before continuing onto the next steps of applying your mud layer and sanding the area smooth.

 

For more information, contact Vinny’s Jersey Plumbing, located in Wayne, New Jersey.  We also service other cities in New Jersey, such as Paramus, Parsippany and Lincoln Park.