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Drywall Repair

By Jeff Beneke, About.com

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Drywall Repair - Repairing a Small Scratch

A superficial scratch in drywall.
Perhaps the most common damage to drywall is the superficial scratch. You inadvertently drag a sharp object against the wall or ceiling, causing damage to the paint and paper face of the drywall. Simple to do, but also simple to fix.

You will need:

  • Putty knife or taping knife
  • Joint compound
  • Sandpaper (optional)
  • Primer and paint

What to do:

  1. With a putty or taping knife, scrape over the damaged area to level the surface.

  2. Using the same tool, apply a small amount of joint compound to the damaged area. Smooth the surface.

  3. Allow the compound to dry. If necessary, lightly sand the compound to create a smooth surface.

  4. Prime and paint over the repair.

Photo © Jeff Beneke

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