Filling small holes and cracks in plaster
Small cracks, dents, holes or gouges in plaster walls or ceilings can be repaired with interior filler.
Tools: Old paintbrush; filling knife; abrasive paper and block, or orbital sander. Possibly also: trimming knife; large paintbrush; cold chisel; length of wood.
Materials: Suitable filler.
Materials: Suitable filler.
 | STEP 1 Rake out the crack with a filling knife. If the crack is in plasterboard and the paper surface has been torn, cut off jagged edges with a sharp trimming knife. |
| STEP 2 Brush the crack with a dry brush to remove any dust. |
 | STEP 3 Load filler onto the end of the filling knife blade and draw the blade across the crack. Scrape the excess off the blade, then draw it down the crack to remove excess filler from the wall and smooth the surface. |
| STEP 4 For deeper holes, build up the surface in layers, working from the edges. Wait about two hours for each layer to dry before applying the next. |
| STEP 5 When the filler is completely dry, smooth it to the level of the surrounding surface with medium or fine abrasive paper wrapped round a wooden block, or use an orbital sander with fine-grade paper. |
| Hint Plaster on outside walls often has a rough or stippled finish and the spatula or filling knife when used to smooth the filler leaves it with a series of ridges that even paint cannot fully hide. Here’s a solution: fill and smooth the hole as per above, and then, while the filler is still wet, stipple it lightly with a stiff-bristled brush. That will get rid of the ridges and when the repair is painted over, the fill should be invisible. |
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