When you're patching or repairing your drywall, choosing the correct product makes all the difference. If you're skilled enough to handle a DIY drywall installation, you probably already know that joint compound/drywall mud is the way to go, but for smaller projects, when does it make sense to switch to a lightweight spackle?
DIYers often confuse joint compound and spackle, but there's a big difference. The differences are namely in adhesion and each product's ability to fill gaps, divots from screw holes, and seams. Let's break it down.
When to Choose Joint Compound
A coat of compound is typically used for larger drywall projects or finishing jobs: taping drywall joints, mudding drywall seams, adding drywall patches or filling larger holes in drywall, repairing extensive drywall damage, and creating textured finishes across big drywall surfaces.
- Consistency: It has a thicker consistency. It's available in gypsum powder form. The powdered form needs to be mixed with water to form a paste-like consistency (the mix is only fresh for about 45 minutes). Pre-mixed tubs are also available in resealable 1-quart to 5-gallon containers.
- Dry Time: Joint compound takes longer to dry before sanding. Usually overnight.
- Strength: It provides stronger adhesion. It's suitable for drywall repair and covering joint tape between sheets of drywall.
- Sanding: The patching process often requires multiple layers of application. You should always sand between skim coats to improve adhesion and achieve a smooth finish.
- Types: There are different types of compound, such as lightweight or all-purpose, each with its specific uses. The main difference between lightweight and all-purpose joint compound lies in their weight and application; light weight, quick-setting joint compound is less dense and easier to sand, making it suitable for overhead applications and quicker drying, whereas all-purpose compound is denser and offers greater strength, making it ideal for covering drywall tape or gaps in the pieces of drywall.
When to Choose Spackle
Projects using spackle include filling nail holes, patching small gaps in drywall, making minor repairs, touching up damaged areas, and smoothing minor drywall imperfections. If you're on the fence, keep in mind: if your project requires layers of thick, heavy spackle, you should probably use joint compound instead.
- Consistency: It's a thinner consistency. It comes ready to use in a paste-like form straight from the airtight container.
- Dry Time: Dries relatively quickly, often within minutes to an hour depending on the thickness applied.
- Strength: Not as strong as drywall compound, but it's suitable for small repairs that don't involve deeper holes or require you to cover seams.
- Sanding: Light sanding may be needed to achieve a smooth surface. Whether you're filling a nail hole or small dents in drywall, it's usually best to apply the product proud of the wall surface. Once it's dry, you can sand down the excess spackle with a fine sanding block before applying a coat of paint and primer.
- Types: Some varieties are specifically designed for interior or exterior use, and some are labeled as lightweight spackle for easier application.
Repairing Lath and Plaster
When making repairs to plaster walls and underlying lath, use joint compound. Joint compound for drywall is favored due to its compatibility with both the lath and plaster; the formula is better able to form a strong bond.
Joint compound can provide durability and resilience, which is important for supporting the weight of the plaster and preventing future cracks.
Remember: before applying the compound with a putty knife, clean the damaged area thoroughly and consider using a bonding agent or primer to enhance adhesion.
FAQ
Do you have to prime before painting over spackle?
Yes, priming the walls after using either compound type is important. Both spackle and joint compounds are porous and will absorb the paint if there is no primer, resulting in a dull paint finish that stands out on an otherwise flawless wall. Prepping the walls for painting with a coat of primer or a paint-and-primer-in-one product makes a big difference both in disguising seaming tape and imperfections in walls after a repair project.
Is there a difference between vinyl spackle and regular spackle?
Yes, vinyl spackling compound is more flexible and can handle slight movement without cracking. It works well for filling small dents in walls and comes ready to use. Some vinyl spackle products dry with minimal shrinkage, which means fewer touch-ups. If you're making fast, simple repairs indoors, it's a convenient option.
Can I use a gallon bucket of joint compound for small jobs?
You can, but it might be more than you need. For patching a few nail holes or minor cracks in drywall, a small container of spackle is easier to manage. A gallon bucket of joint compound is better for larger surface areas or when covering seams between drywall sheets. Bigger containers also risk drying out if they're not sealed tight.
Why are air bubbles or shrinkage showing after repair?
Air bubbles often appear when the drywall knife isn’t used in a smooth downward motion or when mud for spackle is overworked. Minimal shrinkage is typical for lightweight product lines, but some joint compound options have a higher propensity toward shrinkage, especially when applied in thicker coats.
