How to Patch a Wall, the easy way!

Ever have a day you thought was going in one direction and then you notice something that has been driving you crazy for like 4 years and you have to get it done right then and there?!?!?

That happened on Monday. I had purchased a Touch 'n Brush a few years ago to try and save my sanity due to obscene amounts of toothpaste left all over the counter top in the bathroom sink. It revolutionized my life. Which I guess is a sad, sad commentary on my life if this is revolutionary......

The problem is that it broke 2 years ago and my kids are older now so they are much better about not getting the toothpaste everywhere.  So I haven't replaced it but I have removed it and still stuck to the wall is the oval plastic piece that made it so easy to suction the sucker to the wall and hang it in 2 minutes flat. I have looked at that thing for 2 years now and I wasn't taking it anymore. The reason I had put it off is this-

I knew as soon as I removed it, I could not look at this for two more years and I would have to repair it right away. Apparently Monday was the day to remove and repair it...and Friday is the day to post it. At least I didn't post it two years form now.

I figured I'd let you know how it went by showing you how to repair things like this. Pretty easy actually but it does take a bit of finesse if you want the repair to be almost invisible. I say invisible because if you are anything like me, I will notice it for 2 more years if it isn't exactly right even though all others  are just glad the dang thing is patched.  Hi Honey!

Grab your tools and let's get to it. You will need:

sanding block

drywall mud

plastic scraper

spray primer

paint to match wall

good paintbrush, like Purdy (my ab fav!)

or a small paint roller

When you first peel off the plastic, try and do so with minimal tearing off the drywall. It can be done and if you are careful, you will have less work to do down the road with the patching and sanding.

Use your sanding block and sand down the patch. Feel it with you other hand as you go. More is not better here though so be careful again. You can rough up the drywall too much and make more work for yourself. You are just trying to make the perimeter smoother and knock off any major dings and dents.

Wipe the area clean with an damp cloth.

Take your drywall mud and load your scraper. Make sure the whole blade is covered from end to end.

Start in the middle and pull the scraper at an angle to the outside of the patch

Continue all the way around the patch starting in the middle and pulling outward. WHY do you ask? Because the edge of the patch is where the difference in height is and what you are trying to camouflage. By pulling outward, you force the mud to build up at the edge where you want it. If you were to pull outside to the inside or up and down, your build up will be in the middle or only at one end. 

It should look something like this when wet. I took a hair dryer and helped it along since I wanted this done asap!

This is it dry, only took about 5 minitues with the hairdryer.

Take your sanding block and sand again. You really do need to wipe away the dust every so often and see what you are doing as well as feel the edges to make sure you are not feeling any ridges. At first you can be rigorous with your sanding but once you wipe the dust away, then yo need to evaluate the surface. Light imperfections take a light sanding to make them disappear so just take your time on this part. A beautiful foundation will look great painted. One that has ridges and divots, does not.

Wipe the entire area and wall clean with your damp cloth

Apply one coat of your spray primer. WHY spray primer?

You gals are such good students and ask such good questions!

It is easy, of course! And when you rolled your original paint on the roller left some subtle texture to the wall. Brush stokes would be noticeable with primer because it tends to be thicker than paint. If it is a 

bigger patch, then thin your primer a bit and roll it on.

I used my Purdy brush and painted this. Stir you left over paint really well if it hasn't been used in a few years. If you don't, there will be differences in shades once dry. Also, clean your wall if it hasn't been cleaned in a while before painting. This will also show differences even if your paint is mixed well.

Put on a coat of paint on the drywall mud patch and let dry about 30 minutes. 

How do you blend the edge into the existing wall paint? More great questions! Once you have your patch painted with one coat, go ahead and give it a second coat. When you are applying the second coat, feather your edges by using a fairly dry brush where most of the paint has been used. Then criss- cross your brush as you paint in an arc around the dry wall patch and into the already painted surface. You should not be able to see the difference even wet when you feather your edge.

Here she is all patched up!

See, can't even tell

So go forth and patch you drywall mud divas!

But don't wait two years.....

Always being renewed,

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