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Drywall is pretty tough, but an accidental elbow or a doorknob slam can create dents in it that are hard to ignore. Fortunately, fixing a dent in your wall isn't tough, and y'all can DIY it with only a few tools and an hour of labor. Keep reading to learn how you lot can patch a pocket-size dent that's less than 1⁄2  in (one.3 cm) broad or a big dent that'south more than 1⁄2  in (ane.three cm) wide all on your own.

Things You Should Know

  • Set small wall dents with drywall mud and a plaster grid.
  • For big dents, utilise a drywall patch kit.
  • Utilise 100-grit sandpaper to smooth the repair before painting over it.

  1. 1

    Smoothen on drywall mud with a putty pocketknife. [one] Pick upwards a tub of drywall mud and grab a putty pocketknife from the hardware store. Scoop upward a pocket-sized glob of drywall mud, then utilize your putty knife to spread it over the dent. Y'all don't need a ton of drywall mud—but add together a thin layer to cover the dent completely.[2]

    • This method works all-time for small dents that are i⁄ii  in (ane.iii cm) beyond or less.

  2. 2

    Employ a plaster grid for reinforcement. Buy a canvass of plaster grid and cut out a modest foursquare, only big enough to cover the paring. While the drywall mud is still wet, stick the plaster grid onto the wall to embrace and reinforce the dent.[3]

    • Using a plaster filigree is optional, merely information technology volition help reinforce your wall and prevent new damage in the future.

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  3. 3

    Cover the plaster grid with more than drywall mud. Grab your putty knife again and add more drywall mud in a thin layer over the grid. Add together just enough so you can't meet the plaster grid anymore, and use your putty knife to shine out whatever lumps in the mud.[4]

  4. 4

    Wait for the putty to dry out. [5] Drywall mud unremarkably takes virtually 24 hours to dry. It's of import to let the drywall mud cure completely; otherwise, your adjacent steps could damage your wall even farther. To speed upward the drying process, indicate a fan at the wall overnight.[6]

  5. v

    Sand the putty until information technology's flush with the wall. [7] Earlier you start sanding, put on an N95 mask to avoid breathing in whatsoever drywall dust. Take hold of a canvass of 100- or 120-grit sandpaper, then sand the drywall mud until it's flush with the wall. Take your time, and make sure the wall is really smooth before you move 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 beginning circular of sanding. Let information technology dry for 24 hours, then do a final round of sanding again to smoothen it all out.

  6. vi

    Paint the wall to lucifer the color. Choice upwardly a bucket of paint that matches your wall color. Use a paint castor or a roller to pigment the unabridged area so information technology looks seamless and polish. Once the pigment dries, you won't be able to see your patch task anymore![nine]

    • If y'all aren't sure what the exact color of your wall is, chip off a small sliver of pigment and accept it to a hardware store. They'll be able to friction match the paint color precisely so you don't take to guess.
    • If your wall is textured, pick up a can of wall texture spray and spray it over the patched expanse before y'all add paint.[10]

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  1. 1

    Buy a drywall patch kit from the hardware store. Most kits come with a stencil and a drywall patch that you can cut to match the size of your exact dent. You can find these in the drywall section at your local hardware store, or you can search online. Some of them as well come with drywall mud and a putty pocketknife, simply if yours doesn't, exist certain to pick those things up at the store before yous start.[eleven]

    • Large dents are any dents that are wider than 1⁄2  in (1.3 cm) beyond.

  2. 2

    Use the stencil to cut a pigsty around the dent. Grab your drywall patch stencil and use a pencil to draw a circle around the dent. Cut the drywall with a box cutter to remove the dent from the wall. So, pry the cut circle of drywall off of your wall and throw it abroad.[12]

    • If your drywall patch kit didn't come with a stencil, that's okay! Just cutting a circumvolve around the dent with a box cutter. You'll be able to alter the drywall patch if you demand to.[13]

  3. 3

    Spread drywall mud effectually the inside of the circle. [14] Grab a putty knife and scoop up a thick glob of drywall mud. Spread the mud all over the perimeter of the circumvolve, smoothing information technology out onto the wall about two in (5.i cm) in all directions. It's okay if you get a trivial scrap of mud on the within of the drywall, too.[fifteen]

    • The drywall mud here acts as an anchor to hold your drywall patch in place.

  4. 4

    Adhere the patch to the wall with more drywall mud. Grab your drywall patch and place information technology over the hole in the wall. Scoop upwards more drywall mud, and then add a thin layer over the entire drywall patch. Smooth the mud out from the patch nigh 2 in (v.1 cm) to really anchor it on.[16]

    • If yous need to cutting your patch, do that with scissors get-go before putting information technology on the wall. Cut a circle that's almost 2 in (v.1 cm) larger than the hole in your wall.
    • To prevent the patch from falling dorsum into the wall, avoid pressing also hard direct on the centre of the circumvolve. Focus on smoothing the drywall mud out over the edges of the patch and onto the wall around information technology.

  5. 5

    Await for the expanse to dry, so sand the wall. Drywall mud usually takes well-nigh 24 hours to dry. Once the surface area is completely dry, use 100- or 120-dust sandpaper to completely sand the entire expanse until it's smooth. Wear an N95 mask when you lot sand drywall, as the dust isn't slap-up for your lungs.[17]

    • Sanding the wall is the longest office of this entire process. Sanding by paw tin accept up to 30 minutes.

  6. 6

    Paint the wall to match the colour. Choice up a gallon of paint that matches your wall color exactly. Apply a paint castor or a paint roller to cover upwardly the patched area, then let information technology dry. If y'all're using a lighter pigment color, y'all might need to add together multiple coats.[18]

    • If your drywall is textured, grab a can of texture spray from the hardware store and spray information technology over the patched area. Wait for it to dry out, then add paint on top.[xix]

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  • Drywall dust can cause pharynx and airway irritation. Always wear an N95 mask when sanding drywall.[20]

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Things You'll Need

  • Drywall mud
  • Putty pocketknife
  • Plaster filigree
  • 100- or 120-dust sandpaper
  • N95 mask
  • Paint castor or roller
  • Paint
  • Drywall patch kit
  • Pencil
  • Box cutter
  • Drywall mud
  • Putty knife
  • 100- or 120-grit sandpaper
  • N95 mask
  • Paint brush or roller
  • Paint

References

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