There is no need to panic if you see any cracks, holes, or other surface problems in the walls of your Fremont home. Your walls take a beating from everyday living. A painting company might or might not help with wall-patching and painting as you can do it yourself.

While painting over a wall patch to make it look invisible can be trying, you’ll do a great job with the right materials and following the proper procedures.  Here are the materials and steps for patching and painting over damaged drywall.

Materials

• Spackling compound (sold in small quantities) or drywall compound (mix it in a large bucket according to the directions)
• Putty knife
• Sandpaper (no more than 180 grit)
• Paintbrush
• Primer
• Paint

Steps

1) Patch the damage. For minor damage – Fill small holes and cracks with the spackling compound. Then, allow it to dry completely.

For larger holes, cracks, and gashes – Pour some of the drywall compounds you’ve just mixed into a mud pan. Use a thin layer of the mixture and work it beyond the patch with a putty knife. Feather the compound into the surrounding wall, so the patched area is level with the remaining wall. Allow the compound to dry completely.

2) Sand – Once the compound has dried completely, sand it to level with the rest of the wall. Use 120-grit sandpaper for this procedure (don’t use sandpaper finer than that). Don’t worry about creating grooves from your sanding, as the primer and paint will fill them in. This step is necessary to ensure that the patched area is completely level with the wall.

3) Prime – Have a thin coat of primer and apply it with a brush. Don’t worry if your brush goes slightly beyond the patched and sanded area, as the topcoat will cover it. Once you have applied the primer, cover the entire patched and sanded area and allow it to dry before proceeding to the next step.

4) Paint – Using the same paint as the paint you used on the rest of the wall is imperative. You’ll want the new paint to match the current paint. But it can be tricky, especially if the existing paint may have aged or been exposed to sunlight for several hours a day. In that case, the solution is to repaint the entire wall or room to ensure the colors are even throughout. But if the current paint is relatively recent, apply a thin coat of the new paint over the primed surface and let it dry. If you can see the outline of the patched area, you will want to add a second coat to ensure good coverage.

5) Optional: add texture – If your wall is textured, you will add a similar texture over the patched and sanded area. Do this at the drywall compound stage.

But if the walls have too many cracks and holes or have a combination of other issues, such as peeling and bubbling, a professional painting company might help with wall-patching and painting.  You might also need to do some light carpentry work for more challenging damage.

Reputable painters, such as Custom Painting, Inc., are skilled, experienced, and dedicated to helping home and business owners in the Newark, CA area with their interior and exterior painting needs. We know you value your free time, so allow us to do the work instead. With over 40 years of experience in the paint industry, we always ensure a great-looking and long-lasting paint finish for your homes and businesses.

Call us at 925-866-9610 or fill out an estimate request form today and discuss your next light carpentry and paint project for your Union City area home. We look forward to working with you!