August 17, 2015  

How to Fill in a Nail Hole

Contributed by Kelly Mahan, homeyou.com

Hanging photographs or art is a great way to make your home feel inviting, comfortable, and yours. While nails and screws do a wonderful job of holding up picture frames, they don’t come out as cleanly as you’d like. If you’re buying a new house that has nail holes in the wall, or selling your house and want to make it look as nice as possible for the new owners, here are some steps you can take to cover up those little holes and marks in your walls.

 Step 1 – Gather Your Materials

To properly repair and cover nail holes, you’ll need

• Drywall Spackle
• A putty knife
• Sandpaper (220-grit)
• A rag
• Paint that matches the color of your wall
• A plastic knife, paper plate, or some other small, disposable palette

If you have paint remaining from the last time you painted the room, you can most likely use it, as long as it is not too old. Be sure to mix it thoroughly, as paint has a tendency to separate over time. If you don’t already have paint, you can take a paint chip from the wall and bring it to your local hardware store to have them match it. You won’t need a lot of paint (unless you have a lot of holes to repair), so a sample of paint will probably work.

Step 2 – Fill the Hole

Mix up the spackle until it is smooth, and put a little on the corner of your putty knife. You can use your finger as well, especially if it’s a small hole, or even a plastic mixing spatula, if you don’t have a putty knife. Apply the spackle to the hole, and press it in as deeply as possible to create a strong bond. Don’t worry if you get some on the wall around the hole. You can use a wet rag to clean it off. You may have to add a few layers of spackle to cover the hole completely. Always let one layer dry completely before adding a new layer, and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on drying times.

Step 3 – Sand the Hole

Once the spackle is dry, sand it with a fine sandpaper. Use the wet rag to wipe away any sanding dust that might get on the wall. If you do end up using multiple coats of spackle, sand the hole after each coat, making sure it is completely dry before sanding. Once the final coat of spackle is applied and dried, sand the hole once more and sand the area around the hole to ensure an even, smooth surface.

Step 4 – Paint the Hole

The final step to covering up nail holes it to paint them. A plastic knife can be used as a small pallet since you won’t need too much paint. You can also use a paper plate or some other disposable utensil. Use a small art brush to dab the paint on the filled hole, making sure to blend it into the area surrounding the hole. This is also a great time to touch up any other marks or missing paint spots around the room.

Filling nail holes isn’t a very difficult DIY task, but some people are intimidated by it. Hopefully now you’ll be able to hang frames without dreading taking them down. Some people may not think they can fill a nail hole properly or that they don’t have enough time (especially if they’re moving out of a rental), so they may use soap or even toothpaste to fill the hole quickly and inexpensively. While this may provide a temporary fix, it can be difficult to paint over soap and toothpaste has a tendency to shrink and expand, possibly creating an even bigger problem. It is always best to fill a nail hole properly with spackle. 

Written by Kelly Mahan, also writer for homeyou.com, a company that helps homeowners find the best contractors for their home improvement projects, right in their area. Check more on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram: @teamhomeyou