Dap DryDex Spackling goes on pink and turns white when it is ready to sand and paint.

A small hole in drywall, let’s say roughly the size of a door knob … or maybe a fist… can be easily fixed with an aluminum wall repair patch, some spackle and a little paint.

Step 1: Clean the area around the hole. Brush away any loose debris and wash with a non-residual cleaner such as TSP or Dirtex. Let the area dry completely before proceeding.

Step 2: Trim the aluminum wall patch so it is approximately an inch or so larger than the hole.

Step 3: If the patch is not self-adhesive, apply a thin coat of spackling or joint compound to the surface around the hole. Press the patch into place and use a wide putty knife to smooth a thin layer of spackling or joint compound on the surface of the patch. Be sure to spread the compound evenly over the edges and onto the surrounding surface.

Step 4: Once the compound is dry, sand it lightly with a fine sanding sponge or 100 grit sand paper. Apply a second coat of compound and let it dry.

Step 5: Lightly sand the area, again, to a smooth finish and wash with TSP or Dirtex to remove any dust particles. Wait several hours or even a day to allow everything to dry completely and paint the repaired area to match the surrounding surface. Now sit back and watch as your hole problem disappears.