To achieve the best results when spackling, it's important to pay attention to preparation. The wall must be clean and smooth when you start spackling. The spackle must also be applied carefully to avoid imperfections. These three steps will help you succeed.
Step by step
Preparation
Start by covering the floor with protective paper. This way, you won't have to scrape off filler residue later. Pull out all nails and screws from the wall.
Wallpapered wall
If it's a wallpapered wall, remove loose wallpaper with a steel scraper and trim the edges neatly. Loose wallpaper residue can ruin the spackling.
Sand
Sand the entire wall before starting to spackle. Use a sanding tool and an extension pole to reach everywhere and save your back and shoulders.
Spackling
Now it's time to spackle the entire wall. Start by applying spackle to the bottom edge of the wall with a smaller spreader and pull it upwards in even strokes. Switch to a wider spreader to cover a larger area. Continue until the entire wall is covered.
Once the entire wall is done, let the spackle dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Divide the wall into sections
Spackling for the first time often feels difficult, so take your time and don't be too hard on yourself. Use the example below to divide the wall into different sections. Start by spackling from the bottom up to the middle. Then from the top to the middle. Go through the sections.
Finishing work
Once the spackle has dried, it's time to sand the entire wall so that the surface is completely smooth. Use an extension pole. Don't forget to wear a respirator mask against sanding dust. If the wall is still uneven, you may need to spackle it again. Finally, wipe all sanding dust from the wall and floor thoroughly with a microfiber cloth attached to the sanding tool.
Not sure how to spackle when you get to a corner? Read this article.
