drywall nail holes patch?

[HipGnosis]

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.

[secondcor521]

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.

[BiggerFishToFI]

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........

[dragoncar]

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.

[Telecaster]

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.

[dragoncar]

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.

[Telecaster]

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. 

[dragoncar]

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

[HipGnosis]

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!

[Fishindude]

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.

[HipGnosis]

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. 

[the_fella]

Dollar Tree near me sells small containers of spackle and the putty knives in various sizes). $2 + tax out the door.

[Versatile]

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.