How to Repair Drywall/Plaster Cracks

How to Repair Drywall/Plaster Cracks | Behr Paint
Find how to repair cracks in drywall and/or plaster with this guide from Behr Paint.
how to repair a crack, interior surface crack, interior crack, wall crack, crack on wall, repair a crack, patch a crack, paint calculator, paintworld, primer guide
Repairing a crack is easy when Behr Paint is your guide. Our step by step, easy to follow instructions make the project simple and easy to accomplish. Use Behr's recommended tools and you're sure to get the job done right.
Using 100-grit sandpaper, remove any loose debris from the cracked area.

TIP: Use a 5-in-1 painter’s tool to widen cracks that are less than ¼" wide. This will remove old caulking, paint, and other debris from the cracks and will allow the patching material to bond tightly to the damaged area.
Again using 100-grit sandpaper, lightly sand any raised or rough areas. Remove any dust or debris from the area with a water-dampened rag.
Using a putty knife, spread a thin layer of patching material into the cracked area. Allow it to dry.

TIP: To create an even surface, always smooth out (feather) the patching material 1”–2” beyond the repaired area.
Use 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the patched area and make it even with the surface.

TIP: If shrinking of the patching material occurs, lightly sand and clean the area and apply additional layers of patching material as needed.
Remove any final dust or debris from the finished repair.

TIP: If retexturing of the surface is necessary, choose a finish that will match the existing surface. Textured ceiling/wall patch kits are available in aerosol and powder forms. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.
How to Repair a Crack
Step-by-step instructions on repairing interior cracks.
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Step 1
Using 100-grit sandpaper, remove any loose debris from the cracked area. TIP: Use a 5-in-1 painter’s tool to widen cracks that are less than ¼" wide. This will remove old caulking, paint, and other debris from the cracks and will allow the patching material to bond tightly to the damaged area.
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Step 2
Again using 100-grit sandpaper, lightly sand any raised or rough areas. Remove any dust or debris from the area with a water-dampened rag.
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Step 3
Using a putty knife, spread a thin layer of patching material into the cracked area. Allow it to dry. TIP: To create an even surface, always smooth out (feather) the patching material 1”–2” beyond the repaired area.
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Step 4
Use 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the patched area and make it even with the surface. TIP: If shrinking of the patching material occurs, lightly sand and clean the area and apply additional layers of patching material as needed.
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Step 5
Remove any final dust or debris from the finished repair. TIP: If retexturing of the surface is necessary, choose a finish that will match the existing surface. Textured ceiling/wall patch kits are available in aerosol and powder forms. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.
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Putty Knife
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Sandpaper (100, 220 Grit)
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How to Repair Drywall/Plaster Cracks | Behr Paint

Find how to repair cracks in drywall and/or plaster with this guide from Behr Paint.

how to repair a crack, interior surface crack, interior crack, wall crack, crack on wall, repair a crack, patch a crack, paint calculator, paintworld, primer guide

Repairing a crack is easy when Behr Paint is your guide. Our step by step, easy to follow instructions make the project simple and easy to accomplish. Use Behr's recommended tools and you're sure to get the job done right.

Using 100-grit sandpaper, remove any loose debris from the cracked area. TIP: Use a 5-in-1 painter’s tool to widen cracks that are less than ¼" wide. This will remove old caulking, paint, and other debris from the cracks and will allow the patching material to bond tightly to the damaged area.

Again using 100-grit sandpaper, lightly sand any raised or rough areas. Remove any dust or debris from the area with a water-dampened rag.

Using a putty knife, spread a thin layer of patching material into the cracked area. Allow it to dry. TIP: To create an even surface, always smooth out (feather) the patching material 1”–2” beyond the repaired area.

Use 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the patched area and make it even with the surface. TIP: If shrinking of the patching material occurs, lightly sand and clean the area and apply additional layers of patching material as needed.

Remove any final dust or debris from the finished repair. TIP: If retexturing of the surface is necessary, choose a finish that will match the existing surface. Textured ceiling/wall patch kits are available in aerosol and powder forms. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.

How to Repair a Crack

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Using 100-grit sandpaper, remove any loose debris from the cracked area.

TIP: Use a 5-in-1 painter’s tool to widen cracks that are less than ¼" wide. This will remove old caulking, paint, and other debris from the cracks and will allow the patching material to bond tightly to the damaged area.

Using a putty knife, spread a thin layer of patching material into the cracked area. Allow it to dry.

TIP: To create an even surface, always smooth out (feather) the patching material 1”–2” beyond the repaired area.

Use 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the patched area and make it even with the surface.

TIP: If shrinking of the patching material occurs, lightly sand and clean the area and apply additional layers of patching material as needed.

Remove any final dust or debris from the finished repair.

TIP: If retexturing of the surface is necessary, choose a finish that will match the existing surface. Textured ceiling/wall patch kits are available in aerosol and powder forms. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.