Patching Drywall – The Wolpert Method

We’ve done a good bit of patching lately.  Here’s the tried and true method.

Step 1: make your ugly hole:

Step 2: make a template of the hole:

use any circles or other shapes you need to make it perfect

Step 3: Cut out template from drywall. We used a Roto-zip but a drywall saw works too.

Step 4: test-fit and adjust if necessary.

Step 5: tape using mesh fiberglass tape:

(different hole but you get the picture.)

Step 6: Mud:

Steps 7-10: sand, mud, repeat

Step 11: Prime

Step 12: Paint

 

(Stefan’s blurry but look how good that ceiling looks.  Also, this is THE book.  I was holding it up so Stefan could see the diagram for how to wire a 4-way switch.)

Step 13 (Optional): cover your mediocre patch job with a ceiling medallion

And Voila… no more holes in the ceiling.

Oh, and I forgot to mention steps 14 and 15… vacuum, mop, repeat to get all that sanding dust off the floor… lots of dust…

The real key here is the sand, mud, repeat step. If you don’t worry too much about getting it perfect and plan on several rounds of sand-mud-repeat, you’ll end up with a nice smooth finish. It’s messy but once you’ve sanded once, another round isn’t going to add much in the way of clean-up.

We’d love to hear any of your patching tips in the comments!

Sarah (and Stefan, mudder extraordinaire!)