SPACKLING

Prep-Paint---Caulking

On the immediate pages that follow, the TECHNIQUES that are described take lots of practice to master... If you can find a place to practice it helps...

• Be sure to use Sherwin Williams Spackling Paste ( use the regular type [water-base] as shown in the picture... do not use the light-weight non-shrinking type )
• Always try to keep the lid on the can of spackle or it becomes too hard to use properly... sometimes
• If the compound "drys out" you can try adding a few drops of water to the contents of the can, assuming you are using the recommended water-base compound (oil-base compound should be used ONLY for Exterior Work)
• First CLEAN the crack or hole by scraping away loose paint chips or plaster or wood...
• Use TWO flexable Spackling knives. Load Spackle from the can onto the wider 5in knife and use the second 2in knife to pick-up spackle from the first 5in knife (using it as a "palette" to work from). Now swipe over the crack or hole with your 2in knife, to fill it leaving some excess above the surface, then swipe a second time with your blade angled more vertically to the surface and remove ALL the excess Spackle, leaving the crack or hole filled with Spackle and a SMOOTH surface. It's a TWO step opeation... See Pictures Below
• For wider areas, swipe using the 5in knife...
• You can sand lightly if necessary, but if you do it correctly sanding will be optional
• Keep workng the two knives together to keep the mixture "ready". When it gets too "stiff" or "dry" to work with, scrape it off and get some fresh Spackle from the can
• For "Light Spackling" you can Paint over the repair right away... for "Thicker Applications" you need to wait for the material to dry internally (usually 1/2 hour)...
• Some "Deep" or "Wide" repairs require two or more applications with 15 min to 1/2 hour dry time between them... HINT: Stick some PUTTY into the area first, then Spackle over it...
• Use Joint Compound only when you have LARGE Wide Areas, such as for major drywall repairs... and then after it drys (usually 2-5 hours) go over the area with Spackle!
• IMPORTANT: If you are going to Top Coat with any type of Sheen Finish like Semi or Satin or Gloss... you MUST Stain Seal the repair first using Pigmented Shellac or the Spackle will turn the Top Coat "Dull" ... using a Flat Finish does NOT require this Priming...

On the "first swipe" you fill the crack, leaving some excess above the surface...

On the "second (or third if necessary) swipe" you angle your blade more vertically and remove all the excess, leaving only the crack filled with Spackle!"