There are scratches in your home’s drywall. You shrugged them off at first—they’re just small dings, after all—but now that you’re aware they exist, you keep noticing them every time you walk by, and it’s been slowly driving you mad. You’d like to remove them if possible. But how? Here’s a step-by-step guide to covering up those drywall blemishes so your walls can look pristine again.
Determine the Source of Damage
Before you repair these scratches, do you know what caused them? Some of the most common causes of drywall damage include moving furniture, rowdy pets, or even door handles hitting the wall.
When you understand what caused yours to get scratched in the first place, you can take steps, like adding felt pads to furniture or installing a doorstop, to prevent future damage.
Clean and Sand the Area
Start by sanding down the damaged area. Use fine-grit sandpaper attached to a sanding block for this. You’ll want to gently sand in circular motions to smooth out the rough edges around the scratch. This way, the new material you put on top will sit evenly. After sanding, use a damp cloth to wipe away any dust so the surface is clean and ready for repairs.
Apply the Joint Compound
You’ll need spackle or joint compound for this part, as well as a putty knife to apply it. Put a small amount of the compound on the edge of a putty knife, then spread it over the damaged area. The goal is to fill the groove entirely, then smooth the compound out so there aren’t any air pockets. A final swipe will level your filler material with the surrounding wall.
Smooth the Dried Patch
The compound needs time to dry according to the package instructions. Once it dries, the patch might look slightly uneven or raised. You can use the same fine-grit sandpaper as before to buff down the excess material. You want the patch to feel flush with the rest of the wall. Run your hand across the surface to check your work; does it feel smooth and even with the rest of the wall? If not, continue sanding.
Paint Over the Repair
If you have a colored wall, your patch job will stand out. You’ll need to paint over the repaired area with a matching color to blend it seamlessly.
You can apply a primer first to help the paint blend. Then, paint over the patch with your base color. If you have the original paint can, great! If not, try to get the closest match possible. You can use techniques like feathering the edges to help the new paint blend visually with the old paint and make the repair virtually invisible.
Enjoy Your Smooth Walls
Knowing how to fix scratches in your home’s drywall is a useful skill! You’ll be able to cover up any unsightly marks caused by moving that “light” couch, kids turning the hallway into a racetrack, or your dog thinking the wall might lead to Narnia.
