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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Do it Yourself Discussion! => Topic started by: HipGnosis on January 26, 2019, 02:31:49 PM

Title: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: HipGnosis on January 26, 2019, 02:31:49 PM
I've got a number of nail holes in my drywall.
I've heard that toothpaste can be used, but before I go to a dollar store for toothpaste (the toothpaste I have/use isn't white) I thought I'd ask the forum.
Title: Re: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: secondcor521 on January 26, 2019, 02:38:07 PM
Better to buy a small tub of spackle.  Shouldn't be much more than toothpaste price-wise.  You could get a drywall knife to apply it but fingers work just as well for nail holes.
Title: Re: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: BiggerFishToFI on January 26, 2019, 06:44:06 PM
Yeah spackle is easy and cheap. But only if you have white walls that will blend in or have paint to touch up.

I did the toothpaste trick back in college in an apartment to fill 1/4" holes and got my whole deposit back........
Title: Re: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: dragoncar on January 26, 2019, 07:21:22 PM
Better to buy a small tub of spackle.  Shouldn't be much more than toothpaste price-wise.  You could get a drywall knife to apply it but fingers work just as well for nail holes.

You can also get painters caulk from home depot for under $2.  Might be a little more trouble getting it out if you don't have a caulk gun.  Not the highest quality stuff but it'll fill a nail hole no problem. 

There's probably a million things that'll work.  Heck, you could probably mix some flour and water if $2 is gonna break the bank.
Title: Re: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: Telecaster on January 26, 2019, 07:27:26 PM
You can buy caulk in a tube that doesn't require a caulk gun.  But the stuff you want is Spackle (or Spackle equivalent).   The reason is you can sand Spackle.
Title: Re: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: dragoncar on January 26, 2019, 10:34:54 PM
You can buy caulk in a tube that doesn't require a caulk gun.  But the stuff you want is Spackle (or Spackle equivalent).   The reason is you can sand Spackle.

Don’t need to sand caulk for nail holes.  Fill the hole then wipe off with wet cloth, towel, or finger.  It’s flat.
Title: Re: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: Telecaster on January 26, 2019, 11:59:16 PM
You can buy caulk in a tube that doesn't require a caulk gun.  But the stuff you want is Spackle (or Spackle equivalent).   The reason is you can sand Spackle.

Don’t need to sand caulk for nail holes.  Fill the hole then wipe off with wet cloth, towel, or finger.  It’s flat.

Unless it shrinks or expands. 
Title: Re: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: dragoncar on January 27, 2019, 12:08:38 PM
You can buy caulk in a tube that doesn't require a caulk gun.  But the stuff you want is Spackle (or Spackle equivalent).   The reason is you can sand Spackle.

Don’t need to sand caulk for nail holes.  Fill the hole then wipe off with wet cloth, towel, or finger.  It’s flat.

Unless it shrinks or expands.

It’s not gonna expand.  Might shrink in which case you reapply.  Sanding wouldn’t help with shrinkage antways
Title: Re: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: HipGnosis on January 28, 2019, 08:58:14 AM

You can also get painters caulk from home depot for under $2.  Might be a little more trouble getting it out if you don't have a caulk gun.  Not the highest quality stuff but it'll fill a nail hole no problem. 

There's probably a million things that'll work.  Heck, you could probably mix some flour and water if $2 is gonna break the bank.
Thanks for the specific tip!
Title: Re: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: Fishindude on January 28, 2019, 10:00:34 AM
Most professional painters I've been around keep a tube of latex painters caulk handy for nail holes and little imperfections.
Spackling compound is for larger areas, it will take a bit longer to dry and may require sanding.
Title: Re: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: HipGnosis on January 29, 2019, 01:26:30 PM
Update;
I went to my storage area to confirm I have and can find a caulk gun.
I've got 2.
And I've got a tub of spackle.  It appears to be unopened. 
Title: Re: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: the_fella on January 30, 2019, 10:11:42 AM
Dollar Tree near me sells small containers of spackle and the putty knives in various sizes). $2 + tax out the door.
Title: Re: drywall nail holes patch?
Post by: Versatile on March 12, 2019, 07:20:29 PM
I've got a number of nail holes in my drywall.
I've heard that toothpaste can be used, but before I go to a dollar store for toothpaste (the toothpaste I have/use isn't white) I thought I'd ask the forum.

Yeah, use spackle. Caulk is not meant for that application. Good luck.