How to Fill Nail Holes in Drywall Without Painting

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Decorating your home with pictures when you first move in is super fun, but taking down your art and filling in the holes can get time-consuming. Trying to find paint that matches your wall color is annoying, especially if you weren’t the one who painted it. If you need to repair your drywall and you don’t have the paint to match it, you can fill your holes in smoothly to avoid using paint at all as you fix up your home.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Applying Lightweight Spackle

PDF download Download Article
  1. Line up the back of a hammer with the nail and slide it upward until the nail fits into the hammer. Gently pull the hammer out towards yourself away from the wall until the nail pops out. [1]

    Tip: Save the nail in your toolbox in case you want to use it later.

  2. Lightweight spackling isn’t as thick and doesn’t weigh as much as typical putty or spackling does. Use this to ensure your wall won’t have any harsh edges left by the putty to make your job easier. [2]
    • You can find this type of spackling at most hardware stores. Look for “lightweight” on the package.
    Advertisement
  3. Open up the tub of wall spackle and dip the end of your putty knife into it. Grab a small glob of spackle that is just larger than the hole you want to fill. Place the putty knife right above the hole and drag it downward to apply the spackle, focusing on the hole with about 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) of spackle around it. [3]
    • You can find a putty knife at most hardware stores.
    • Putty knives are flat, skinny tools made specifically for applying putty and spackling to walls.
  4. Drag the edge of the putty knife down around the edges of the hole to remove any unnecessary spackle. This will take the excess off your wall and make it easier to smooth out later. [4]
    • Try not to push your putty knife into the hole, or you could dent the flat surface of the spackle. Instead, stick to the outside edges.
  5. Point a fan at your wall to speed up the drying process. Try not to touch the area until a few hours have passed so that the spackle has a chance to dry. [5]
    • If you try to work on the spackle while it’s still wet, you could accidentally remove it from the hole in your wall.
    6. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Sanding the Spackle and Wiping it Off

PDF download Download Article
  1. Use a fine grade sanding sponge or paper to slightly rough up the top layer of spackle. Don’t push too hard into the spackle or try to make it flush with the wall, or you could leave a shiny spot that is hard to cover up, especially on textured walls. [6]
    • You can find sanding sponges or papers at most hardware stores.
  2. Pick up a large, soft sponge used for grouting or tile work. Run it under the sink using warm water until the entire thing is wet, and then wring out the excess. [7]
    • Look for these soft sponges at a hardware store near you.

    Tip: If your sponge is still dripping water, it's too wet. Wring it out again until it isn't dripping anymore.

  3. Swipe the sponge back and forth over the spackle on your wall until it disappears completely. Clean off the surrounding area of your wall if you notice any white dust from the sanding. [8]
    • Water breaks down the top layers of the spackle, but your sponge won’t be wet enough to dampen the spackle in the nail hole.
  4. Finish off your wall by making the area look clean and dry with a cloth. Make sure there isn’t any spackle left on the wall so the area looks smooth without any evidence of the previous hole. [9]
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Things You’ll Need

      • Hammer
      • Lightweight spackle
      • Putty knife
      • Soft sponge
      • Cloth

      Tips

      • Use a light touch as you fill in the nail hole to avoid damaging your walls further.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      • Make sure your sponge is damp, not dripping wet, to avoid removing the spackle inside of the hole.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Plaster a Wall
      How to
      Tell if a Wall is Load Bearing
      How to
      Use Joint Tape for Drywall
      How to
      Cover a Mirrored Wall
      How to
      Mix Plaster
      How to
      Get Black Marks Off Walls
      How to
      Clean Plaster Walls
      Asbestos in Plaster Walls: Identification, Removal, & More
      How to
      Skip Trowel Texture
      How to
      Venetian Plaster
      How to
      Insulate Walls
      The Best Way to Apply Joint Compound (Drywall Mud) for Beginners
      How to
      Cover Bad Wallpaper
      How to
      Find a Stud
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/moving-out-fix-common-damage/
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0COOF3BwgKI&feature=youtu.be&t=272
      3. ↑ https://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/moving-out-fix-common-damage/
      4. ↑ https://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/moving-out-fix-common-damage/
      5. ↑ https://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/moving-out-fix-common-damage/
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0COOF3BwgKI&feature=youtu.be&t=170
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0COOF3BwgKI&feature=youtu.be&t=188
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0COOF3BwgKI&feature=youtu.be&t=199
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0COOF3BwgKI&feature=youtu.be&t=207

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 32,544 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement