How to Repair Plaster Walls
- 1). Prepare the surface of the crack by smoothing it with sandpaper. Scrape the edge of the opening. If the damage is a hairline crack, you might have to widen it to give you more room to fill it in.
- 2). Use a putty knife to spread spackling compound or mixed joint compound and fill the crack or gouge. This should be at least 1/8 inch in length.
- 3). Place the fiberglass mesh over the crack. Press the tape into the compound.
- 4). Using a drywall knife, scrape off half of the compound and apply two more coats. Smooth the final layer of the compound with a rubber float.
- 5). Allow the compound to dry thoroughly. Once it has dried, the repaired section is ready to be painted over.
