Asked on Jun 15, 2018

What do I use to cover pinholes in wall of rental unit?

Jill
by Jill
I made several pinholes in my wall of my apt and I am moving out and walls are a sage color, so could I get some sage color crafting paint to dab onto holes, and if yes, do I try to go darker or lighter since I prob can't get a perfect match? Thank you for your help!!

  13 answers
  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jun 15, 2018

    First I would suggest to soackle the pinholes first.

    Wash the spackled areas to clean away all the excess spackle so only the only the pinholes are being fillrd.

    Assess how the wall looks then, does it really need painting or cover-up?


    If paint is needed I would use the lighter color of craft paint but consider watering it down, I feel that craft paint is more intense and thicker than wall paints.

    • Jill Jill on Jun 15, 2018

      Thank you! I thought of that, and am worried I will make a bigger mess since they are holes from basic short push-pins, and thought if I used the craft paint, it's sometimes thicker, and will fill in the holes?

  • Macysmom Macysmom on Jun 15, 2018

    Can you get a toothpaste that is close in color! Toothpaste is a great hole filler.

    • Jill Jill on Jun 15, 2018

      I've used that before on white/eggshell walls, but the wall is a sage color, so I don't know that I could even mix a blue and a red to get close to the green, and it'll then have that potent cinnamon smell then too!?

  • Jill you can use a 'Vinyl Spackling" from most paint stores referred to as a "Lightweight" if the holes are small. Just use a putty knife to fill the hole(s) Let dry and touch them up with the left over paint you have on your shelf (if you have it) You should not need to prime the holes if they are small enough however it wouldn't hurt to do so anyway. When the "Lightweight" is completely dry you should be able to just clean around the area with a damp sponge rather than sanding...Hope this helps.

    • Jill Jill on Jun 16, 2018

      Thank you so very much! Do you know if the "Lightweight" stuff comes in colors?? I do not have the extra paint, and it's a sage green, so I'm looking to find a way to fill the holes and kinda paint or color it at the same time. The area is up high above the window sills, so not like it's in the middle of a wall? Thank you!!

  • Kim Kim on Jun 15, 2018

    I would mix a little craft paint into a small amount of Spackling compound. Mix it lighter than your walls, use a putty knife to press it into the holes. Allow to dry completely then wash off with a damp rag. Only the spackle in the pin hole should remain. Allow to dry and see how it looks.

    😊

    • Jill Jill on Jun 15, 2018

      Oh wow! Thank you! That's a great idea and sounds easy enough for me to do and not screw it up too bad! Thank you!

  • DesertRose DesertRose on Jun 15, 2018

    If the walls are white, you can use toothpaste or anything soft like calk to fill the pin holes so they do not show.

  • Vera Furry Vera Furry on Jun 15, 2018

    white toothpaste


  • Tae Tae on Jun 15, 2018

    Honestly, I wouldn't try anything. The landlord will likely not charge you for the pinholes but will certainly charge you for having to repaint because they will certainly notice the discrepancy in paint colors/finishes.

    • Jill Jill on Jun 15, 2018

      Thank you! He's seen the little white spots from the paint chipping off, but from afar, and doesn't think he has any extra paint anymore, so I really just wana make it so it doesn't stand out as much, and even thought of maybe using a sharpie or see if there's something from the craft store that I can use to kinda just dull the white in contrast to the sage green!!

  • Vera Furry Vera Furry on Jun 15, 2018

    Repaint

  • Beth Beth on Jun 15, 2018

    If you use toothpaste, it needs to be WHITE toothpaste. Those gel ones won't work.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jun 15, 2018

    Yes I believe craft paint is thicker —but it can easily be diluted with water.


    Please note your wall paint sheen when you choose your craft paint bottle as they come in different sheens too. Flat- satin and gloss see examples below.


    I would chose a mid to lighter than a darker shade, perhaps try to tint the spackle. Allow it to dry and reassess.

    comment photo
  • Macysmom Macysmom on Jun 15, 2018

    The smell will go away. There's got to be a green colored toothpaste out there. Maybe google it. Even if its a little darker, it will not be noticeable.


  • Janice Janice on Feb 05, 2024

    As a former landlord of many rental properties for many years, I totally agree with Tae who said not to do anything. Best to leave it as is. The owner likely has leftover paint that can be used if the pin holes are noticeable enough to redo the walls. I've seen so many "fixes" by renters that have actually caused more of an issue than if they'd just left the place alone and perhaps been charged a small fee for the "pin hole" issue. If you can, please put yourself in the owner's place; they are not your enemy.

  • Deb K Deb K on Feb 07, 2024

    Hi Jill, hope this helps you. If you can take a small paint chip into the pai t store they can match it for you and mix a little pint of paint.