Sanding and Patching Drywall

When you bought that new painting, you found the perfect spot to hang it. Or so you thought. Now, after living with it for a while, you want to move it. Well, who’s gonna patch the original hole you made in the wall? You are. Because you’re about to learn some really helpful tips on how to repair minor dents, holes or cracks in walls. And if you’ve got a woodworking project that needs a little sanding, you’ll learn a few tips about that too. So, let’s get started.

Now, there are several options and techniques for repairing drywall depending on the size of the dent, hole, or crack. Whatever method you use, these tips can help make your work easier.

First on the list if you have low vision is lighting. For this task as with any task on your list, getting your lighting right is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. So, wear a headband light or use an adjustable light to brighten your work area.

Another simple thing you can do is to store all your products, like spackling or joint compound, drywall tape, sandpaper and sponges, together on a shelf or in a container. That way it’s easier to find what you need and have everything ready before you begin. And if seeing the package labels is a challenge, use large print labels, audio, or labels you can feel.

Now, if you’re filling a small dent, hole or crack with spackling compound, using your finger is easier to control than using a putty knife. Keep the lid of the spackling or joint compound container nearby so it can be replaced immediately when you’ve finished the job.

Some compounds change colors when they dry. But if it’s difficult for you to see the color change, just allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before sanding. Then, use your sense of touch to check your work and decide if you need more sanding or compound. And if you only need a small amount of touch up paint, dab the paint on with a cloth. It’ll be easier to control than using a brush.

If you’re cutting out a large piece of drywall, use a stud finder to locate the studs. It will beep and light up when it finds a wall stud as you run it over the wall. You can also use an electric razor as a stud finder. When you run it over the wall lightly, the sound will change as it passes over the stud.

Now, on to sanding. For sanding projects, once again, lighting can make a big difference. So, use an adjustable light to keep your work area well-lit. Sandpaper comes in different “grit” textures. The higher the grit’s mesh number, the finer or smoother the sandpaper. Of course, you can feel the sandpaper to see if it’s coarse or smooth. But if you need to know the exact grit, you have a few options. You can use a magnifier to read the mesh number on the package. Or, you can label the sandpaper with large print, audio or raised labels you can feel. You can also store sandpaper in a container that can be labeled. Check out our labeling series for suggestions on ways to label.

To have more control and stability, wrap the piece of sandpaper around a sanding block. For most sanding projects, it’s recommended to sand in the direction of the wood grain. But how are you going to figure that? Well, sometimes, you can use your fingers to feel the direction of the grain. And to make it a little easier to feel, apply a little water to the wood then wait a few minutes until the grain is raised enough to feel. With a painted surface, the grain will be hard to feel but the grain usually follows a lengthwise pattern so sand in a lengthwise direction.

Now, to be sure you’ve sanded the entire area, use an organized pattern and overlapping strokes. Then, feel the surface to check for smoothness. This will tell you if there are any spots that need additional sanding.

As always, if you need more information or you’ve got your own tips to share, contact a Hadley Learning Expert. Of course, as with anything new, give yourself time, patience, and practice and you’ll get there.