Color Swatch LabGear · CSL–G11
Wall repair and surface prep supplies
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Paint highlights flaws rather than hiding them, especially in glossier sheens and under raking light. Fixing dents, cracks and gaps beforehand is the difference between a finish that looks good for years and one that looks tired in days.
The order matters: clean first so patches stick, fill and let dry, sand, wipe off dust, caulk gaps along trim and finally prime the repairs if the paint can recommends it. See our sheen guide for why glossier finishes demand better prep.
Cleaning before you paint
Who it is for: kitchens, bathrooms and any wall that looks dirty or greasy.
Paint sticks poorly to dust and grease. Wipe walls down and let them dry.
- Savogran Trisodium Phosphate (TSP), 1 lbdegreases walls and cabinets before paint. (View on Amazon)
- Krud Kutter No Rinse pre-paint cleanera pre-paint wall and trim cleaner. (View on Amazon)
- Microfiber cleaning cloths (50-pack)wipes dust and cleaner residue. (View on Amazon)
Filling holes and dents
Who it is for: nail holes, small dings and shallow cracks.
Lightweight spackle is easy to sand and suits small repairs.
- Lightweight spackling compoundfills nail holes and small dings before painting. (Search on Amazon)
- DAP DryDex dry-time indicator spackling, 5.5 ozchanges color as it dries to show when it is ready. (View on Amazon)
- Flexible putty knife, 3 in.apply and smooth spackle. (Search on Amazon)
- Hyde Value Series 6 in. flexible joint knifefeather out larger patches. (View on Amazon)
Bigger repairs
Who it is for: larger holes, damaged corners and uneven patches.
Patches and joint compound need more skill and more drying time.
- Bates drywall repair kit with aluminum wall patches (16 pcs)repairs holes bigger than nail holes. (View on Amazon)
- USG Plus 3 lightweight joint compound, 3.5 qtfor larger repairs and skim coats. (View on Amazon)
- Hyde stiff chisel scraper, 3 in.removes loose flakes and old caulk. (View on Amazon)
Sanding
Who it is for: everyone filling or repairing.
Sand patches flush, then wipe off dust before priming or painting.
- Sanding sponges, assorted gritssand spackle and glossy trim without gouging walls. (Search on Amazon)
- 3M aluminum oxide sandpaper, assorted grit 100-150-220 (5 sheets)smooth patched areas and rough spots. (View on Amazon)
- Hyde dust-free vacuum pole sandersands walls and ceilings at standing height. (View on Amazon)
- Tack cloths for dust removal (20-pack)wipes sanding dust off before priming. (View on Amazon)
Caulking
Who it is for: gaps along trim, crown and baseboards.
Paintable caulk closes gaps and gives crisp lines.
- Newborn 620 aluminum round-rod caulk gun, 18:1 thrust ratioapplies caulk in a steady bead. (View on Amazon)
- Paintable acrylic latex caulkseals trim gaps before painting. (Search on Amazon)
- Kitchen and bath silicone caulkfor wet areas around sinks and tubs. (Search on Amazon)
- King&Charles silicone caulking tool kitsmooths caulk beads. (View on Amazon)
FAQ
- Should I sand between spackle and paint?
- Yes. Sand the dried patch until flush, then wipe the dust away. Prime the patch if your paint can recommends it.
- What is the difference between spackle and joint compound?
- Spackle is made for small repairs and sands easily. Joint compound is used for larger drywall repairs and skim coats.
- Can I paint over caulk right away?
- Check the label. Most paintable acrylic caulks need time to cure before painting, while silicone is usually not paintable.
- Do I need to wash walls before painting?
- If they are dusty or greasy, yes. A clean surface improves adhesion.
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