How to Make a Nail Hole in a Wall Less Visible

A nail hole in any wall will stand out. Patching holes takes only a few minutes and is essential if you're planning to paint your wall.  In spite of what you may have heard, toothpaste, chewing gum, caulking material, Styrofoam and other materials do not make good patching material substitutes.

Step 1-Prepare The Nail Hole

Using a small piece of medium grit sandpaper, lightly sand over the nail hole. Wipe the area with a damp sponge to remove any dust or loose debris.

Step 2-Apply Spackle or Wood Putty

Using your putty knife place a pea-sized bead of spackle or putty on the edge of the knife. Press the spackle or putty into the nail hole. Holding the putty knife at about a 15-degree angle against the wall, draw the edge of the blade across the hole until the hole is filled. Force putty into the hole until it bulges slightly. Allow to dry. Putty often dries with a slight dimple in the center of the repair. For best results go back over the dimple with another application of putty.

Step 3-Sand and Paint the Repair

Sand the repair flush with wall.  Feather your sanding around the former hole to ensure the repair is flat. Wipe with a damp sponge to remove dust. Allow to dry. Paint.