One of the best tests of hand-to-eye coordination is throwing darts. It's also a fun and competitive way to pass the time. However, the problem with accuracy-based sports is inaccuracy. If someone misses, you now have a hole in your wall or door. If you need help fixing it, you've come to the right place.
Since dart holes are small, you might think a conventional way of fixing them isn't possible. However, that isn't the case. You will need to use a spackling compound or a taping compound to get the job done.
To start:
- Apply the compound with a putty knife.
- Wipe off any excess product.
- Give the compound time to dry.
- Sand the area to level the surface with the wall/door.
- Paint over the repair or leave it as is (whichever you prefer).
Guides sound easier on paper than in practice. If it's your first time patching a hole, you probably want more details. This way, you can adapt to the situation if you're having any trouble. We cover the steps in-depth and other topics further ahead.
How To Fix Small Holes In A Wall Or Door
The first thing you want to do is choose the product you will use to fill the hole. Two options you can consider are spackling compound and taping compound. Yes, they do carry a few differences.
Spackle Compound
View this spackles compound on Amazon.
Most people typically use spackle to fill in holes in general. So, whether it's dart, nail, or tack holes, spackle is the go-to choice. You have to keep in mind that spackle dries hard.
After applying and letting it dry, you will need to sand it to level the surface.
There are two types of spackle: lightweight and heavy. The one we want for this project is the lightweight spackle.
Taping Compound
Another easy to use product is taping compound. Like spackle compound, you spread it using a putty knife. It's water-soluble. So, you can wipe off the excess using a sponge.
However, it doesn't dry as hard as spackle. Regarding handling, it won't be easy getting a smooth finish with this option.
Other Alternatives
If you need to fix the hole right away, there are some temporary alternatives that you can use. It might come as a surprise, but you can use toothpaste to fill in the hole. Plain white toothpaste contains 50% aluminum hydroxide and calcium carbonate.
Like taping compound, it won't dry as hard. But, it can be serviceable in a pinch. If you don't want to use toothpaste but can't find either compound product, you can also use painter's putty or caulk.
They're not as hard as spackle. You can easily find these products in big containers or caulking tubes.
Wood Putty
Check out this wood putty on Amazon.
If the holes you need to fix are on a door, you can't use the compounds above. Instead, look for wood putty. Make sure to look for wood putty, not wood filler. Generally, wood filler is for filling in holes for unfinished furniture.
On the other hand, people use wood putty to fill small holes in finished furniture, flooring, and other interior woodwork. It's always essential to know the difference between two products.
Now you should know all the options you have at your disposal. Let's move on to fixing the holes in your wall or door.
Making The Repair
Apply The Compound With A Putty Knife
Before you apply the compound to the wall or door, inspect the area with the dart holes. Since you likely pulled the dart out, the area around the hole will raise a bit. If you notice it's not level around the edges, sand it down.
For the particles that are too hard to sand, use your putty knife to push them into the wall or door. If it's too hard to indent, soften it by running a wet rag over the hole. Once the area is level and smooth, it's time to apply the compound.
Prepare your filler of choice following the instructions on the product. Then, scoop some of it onto your putty knife. Spread it over the holes. Don't worry about perfecting it. You will come back after it dries to spread a second coat.
Wipe Off Any Excess Product
Of course, if you use too much of the compound, you will need to wipe the excess off. You can use a putty knife, sponge, or rag. It won't look the best the first time around.
So, if it doesn't look the best, you don't need to worry. You will have to sand and apply a second coating after it dries.
Give The Compound Time To Dry
This step will depend on the product you choose to use. For the best results, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Once it dries, you can move ahead to the next step.
Sand The Area To Level The Surface
Once it's hard, use sandpaper to level the surface. Sand the area lightly. You'll know it's ready when the wall is smooth. Once it's smooth, you can apply a second coat of compound.
Once again, you'll need to wait until it's dry. Then, lightly sand the area one more time until it's smooth.
Paint Over The Repair Or Leave It As-Is
Finally, you can use a mini-roller to apply a water-based primer. If your walls are not white, find a paint chip off the wall and take it to a hardware store. Hopefully, they can match the color for you.
However, if your walls are white, there's nothing more to do. The same goes with using wood filler on a door. If the filler matches the door color, there's nothing more you need to do. Of course, if the repair is noticeable, you can choose to hide it or find paint similar in color.
For visual guidance of the steps above, here's a YouTube video to help:
If you need help repairing holes in a door, here's an instructional video on how to do that:
Your wall or door should look good as new!
How Do You Cover Push Pin Holes In A Wall?
After fixing the dart holes, there are even smaller holes that you might want to repair. Maybe you're getting rid of a painting that requires push pins to stay on the wall. In this situation, we can use one of the tricks mentioned previously.
You can use toothpaste to fill it in! Of course, this isn't a professional way to do it. But, if you need something cheap to do it right away, it works. It's a temporary solution until you can acquire actual filler.
Using Toothpaste
However, it's worth mentioning that it only works with white toothpaste and white walls. No, you won't be able to paint over it. For this reason, it's not the best solution.
If you attempt to paint it, the toothpaste will draw in the color of the materials around it. In less than a week, it will begin to brown. Additionally, it becomes darker over time.
Use it only when you don't have the materials necessary for a proper repair.
Here's a YouTube video demonstrating what to do:
Remove the toothpaste as soon as you can get your hands on spackle and repairing tools. This way, you can avoid any problems down the line.
How Do You Fix A Hole In The Wall Without Tools?
If you don't have tools at your disposal, you have several options. You can think about using the toothpaste method. Though, the downsides of using it can make some people steer clear of it.
If the toothpaste method doesn't sound appealing to you, there are some patch kits that you can purchase. However, they will work best if the dart holes, or holes in general, are near each other.
Wall patch kits are simple to work with.
They come with an adhesive support disk that you can apply to the wall. In addition, it comes with adhesive in a small package and sandpaper. All you need to do is:
- Apply the support disk to the area that needs repair.
- Spread the adhesive over the disk.
- Allow it to dry.
- Once dry, sand the site until it's smooth.
Though, there is a problem with these repair kits. The adhesive can come dry inside the packaging. So, you might not be able to use it. It's best if you purchase a filler and the tools separately.
If you're curious to see the kit in action, here's a video demonstrating it:
How Do You Fill In Holes Without Filler?
In your search for ways to fix a small hole in the wall, you will find that you need to use a proper filler. However, you might find that there are alternatives to the fillers you can use. Some might even recommend using homemade putties.
Although it might sound appealing at first, you should avoid using homemade options. The reason is that it probably will cause problems down the line. Most of those solutions will not work with paint.
In addition, they will also stick out like a sore thumb. It's best to use spackling or another type of joint compound. This way, you can ensure your walls look good in the end.
In Closing
Fixing a hole in the wall might appear like a monumental task. But, as you can see from the steps above, it's not as difficult as it seems. Hopefully, you found the information above helpful.
Before you go, do you need help repairing other things? Maybe you need to fix holes in plywood walls.
To learn more, check out:
How To Fix Holes In Plywood Walls
Do you have a cracked door frame? We can help you fix that! If you'd like to learn more, check out: