Asked on Apr 28, 2015

Best way to cover tack/staple holes in drywall

Karen McMullen
by Karen McMullen
I have a question: we are going to re-do one of our bedrooms, it used to be our son's who had many, many posters etc tacked and stapled to walls. Other than wallpapering to cover over, and re drywalling, does anyone have any suggestions how to cover up all those millions of tiny holes? Thank you.
  14 answers
  • I would suggest drywall mud or spackle. If they are all just very small holes, you could spread a thin layer of mud or spackle over several holes at a time. There will be some sanding involved, but I wouldn't think it would be a difficult job...just time consuming. Good luck!
  • Audrey kammerude Audrey kammerude on Apr 29, 2015
    I have used (and still do) plain old cheap white toothpaste. Just put a small dab on your fingertip and push into the hole & wipe it flush with the wall. Quick & easy!
  • Jenny Jenny on Apr 29, 2015
    I had a huge staple hole problem when I bought my house. I swear the previous owner hanged everything with staples. No joke, there were millions of holes. Both toothpaste and Spackle are good ideas. Trouble is when it dries it tends to shrink. I used drywall mud. I put a very small amount on my putty knife, and went over the holes. I mean small amount, to where you don't have to sand it. I could just wipe the remaining dried mud off with a wet cloth. It worked perfect for me. Good luck. I have filled enough staple holes for 10 lifetimes.😀
  • Kimberly Kimberly on Apr 29, 2015
    You can buy a tube of Goop from Lowes (it's in the section where spackle is). Home Depot doesn't carry it. It's THE best thing I've ever used. I use it instead of caulk to fill holes when we put up crown molding or baseboards. It's sandable and paintable. I love it.
  • Lin Lin on Apr 29, 2015
    I use joint compound, remove excess with Putty knife, let dry, sand if necessary, paint or wallpaper.
  • Grouchy Grouchy on Apr 29, 2015
    I'd go with Lin's suggestion above. Maybe need to do 2 coats--it shrinks.Then paint. I know foam poster board doesn't hold well to drywall.
  • Michele Hodge Michele Hodge on Apr 29, 2015
    I've used toothpaste for small holes, works great.
  • Roz Roz on Apr 29, 2015
    a bar of white soap works--fill each hole by rubbing the bar of soap over each hole....rrb in CA
  • Brenda Webster Brenda Webster on Apr 29, 2015
    I just searched msn.com and there are a lot of articles and videos that are helpful. We've always used spackle. Just apply with the fingers and sand smooth when it's dry.
  • Gwe1378856 Gwe1378856 on Apr 29, 2015
    If they are small holes from staples they will fill in when you paint. Depending on the paint you use you might have to use undercoat on drywall that you have filled with spackle because you will see where you have fixed the wall.
  • Ian Ian on Apr 29, 2015
    For pin size holes use white toothpaste it covers them well
  • Gail Gail on Apr 29, 2015
    If you want to simply fill the pin holes, then paste toothpaste will work and, even better, spackling compound (available at Walmart or similar, home improvement stores, even your local "paint store" and it is inexpensive. If you want others to look at your walls after that and not know the pinholes were ever there; then follow up the filling of your holes with painting your walls (after a light sanding to be sure your patching is smooth.)
  • Glory & Grace Glory & Grace on Apr 29, 2015
    Chalk. Rub a stick of chalk over the holes. The chalk will fill them. Then repaint.
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Apr 30, 2015
    I would skim coat it with mud and sand. It would be quicker than filling all those holes. Messy yes but it isn't hard. Just buy a screen sander for dry wall mud.