List of Surfaces You can Spackle On

Spackle, or spackling paste, is a ready-to-use compound that dries at a rapid pace and are shrink-resistant. Until and unless you are spackling an outside area, you do need to prime over a hole filled with spackle. Light, external, interior, and professional spackle are the four varieties of spackle.

The compound is primarily used for repairing holes, cracks, and flaws in various surfaces. 

In this article, we will tell you about the surfaces you can use spackle on.

Can Spackle be used on wood?

Yes definitely! As a great alternative to wood filler, spackle can be used on wood because it fills up fractures in a seamless manner. It is a ready-to-use wood restoration solution that can be used to mend holes, cracks, and dents. 

The procedure for spackling wood is the same as for spackling wallboard. 

As soon as the spackle has dried, you can paint or stain it, usually within one hour for small portions and two hours for larger areas.

Here are the steps how you can use spackle on wood: 

Step 1:

First, make sure the area is ready for the spackle.

Gently sand off any irregularities in and around the region with a sanding block. 

With the help of a clean cloth, wipe away any dust that accumulated on the area after sanding.

Step 2: 

Take a large putty knife which come in diameters ranging from 3/4 inch to 4 inches to thoroughly cover the area you are mending.

Fill the hole in the wood with enough spackle from the container.

Then smear the spackle all over the nooks and trenches with long, smooth strokes.

Step 3:

Push the spackle into the rifts and holes by shoving the putty knife over the holes. Use the blade of the putty knife to scrape the excess spackle away from the area. 

Allow for thorough drying of the spackle.

Step 4: 

If any portions of the spackle appear unevenly put on the cracks and holes during this phase, carefully sand out any uneven areas or edges with a sand block. 

Also, wipe away any dust created by sanding the spackle from the wooden surface with the help of a moist damp cloth.

Step 5:

If necessary, apply another coat of spackle to any deep cracks or holes.

Step 6:  

When you are finished, wash the putty knife in warm, soapy water and thoroughly dry it. Replace the spackle container’s lid tightly.

Can Spackle be used on metal?

Normally, it is advised not to use spackling paste or wood putty while repairing a dented door, as neither of those compounds adheres well to metal. In such cases, an auto-body filler or patching compound is used instead, which is specially made to adhere to metal surfaces. This sort of filler also dries extremely firm, sanding smooth and flat and providing a superb painting surface.

so kindly use a auto body filler instead of spackle.

Here’s the steps for repairing a metal door’s surface damage:

Step 1:

The first step is to sand the affected area. 

Remove any existing rust or paint from the damaged area with sandpaper or a sanding block.

Step 2: 

Repair the damage. 

Fill the damaged area with auto body filler putty using a putty knife.

Step 3: 

Now, sand the repair area or patch.

Step 4: 

Apply the paint to the repair area or patch.

Other than all that, there is the DAP’s 8-ounce Crackshot High-Performance Spackling Paste, which is ideal for a variety of applications. It smooths dents in metal doors and trim and fills cracks and holes in wood, brick, stone, plaster, and drywall. 

Can Spackle be used on plastic walls?

Yes, definitely! 

Spackle dries quickly and shrinks slightly, allowing you to repair minor damage without 

having to wait 24 hours to repaint. As a result, spackle is frequently used to fill or repair holes in plastic wall trim.

Get a more detailed answer here.

Can Spackle be used on Vinyl?

Yes! Use the lightweight vinyl spackling which is designed to fill up holes and fractures 

up to 3/4 inch deep. 

Unlike other chemicals, which can usually cure damage in a single layer, vinyl is usually 

applied in layers, with each layer drying in between. Owing to this, it is indeed perfect for 

healing deeper holes and gashes. 

This sort of spackling compound is made up of elastic polymers that give it great strength and allows it to be used both inside and out.

So, once you have successfully layered the spackling 1/4 inch deep into the area at a time, let it dry between the layers.

Depending on the temperature, material depth, and humidity, vinyl spackling can dry in one 

to five hours.

Can Spackle be used over putty?

Yes. Painter’s putty and spackle are extremely similar. Just like putty, spackle can also be used to fix minor flaws in a wall or timber surface. With the help of some primer, you can even paint over spackle when the need arises.

The key distinction is that spackle is not as well-suited to receiving paint. Normally, even with a little priming, you are not going to get the same smooth results as you would with painter’s putty. After a paint job, spackled regions frequently present themselves as color flaws.

On the other hand, putty will be your best option when it comes to painting, as it is designed for use by painters, giving it a modest advantage over spackle, which has a broader application. 

Also, although spackle and painter’s putty are both similar in their own ways, the truth is that they can be used interchangeably in various situations. In other circumstances, one clearly outperforms the other. Painter’s putty, for example, receives paint slightly better than spackle, but spackle is better suited to general repairs. 

It is also worth mentioning that different artists have varied perspectives on the subject. Some painters, for example, employ putty for wood finishes and spackle for drywall. 

Others will only work with putty. Some people will only use spackle and sand down the surface once they are completed for a smoother finish. 

Can spackle be used on drywall?

Spackle can be used on drywall if the thickness is around ½ inch. Use the smallest amount possible for the job, as it can result in a lot of sanding and dust. When working with sparkle, wear a mask because dust can cause problems.

Nail and screw holes, fractures, and popped nail heads, dents, are the most common types of drywall damage. This is a minor problem that can be remedied quickly and easily. 

Steps for repairing drywall with small holes and dents: 

• Take the help of your finger or a putty knife to fill dents and small holes with lightweight spackle. 
• Confirm that the spackle is level with the rest of the intact wall and thoroughly fills the hole or dent. 
• Allow 15 to 30 minutes for the spackle to dry, or the period advised by the product manufacturer. 
• After the paint has dried, sand the surface smooth with fine-grit sandpaper. 
• Remove any debris with a brush 
• Touch up the paint as much required. 

Steps for repairing drywall cracks: 

• Remove dust with a brush.
• Take the utility knife’s help to widen the crack. 
• Fill the larger crack with lightweight spackle using a putty knife.
• Spackle the entire area with a thin coat of the compound.
• Smoothen it out with the help of a putty knife. 
• Allow 15 to 30 minutes for the spackle to dry, or the period advised by the manufacturer. 
• After the area has dried, sand it smooth. 
• Remove any debris with a brush and touch up the paint.
• Cover the crack with self-adhesive fiberglass drywall tape if it is larger than 1/2 inch.
• Spread joint compound over the drywall tape using a putty knife.
• Allow the joint compound to dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions before sanding it smooth.
• Apply a second thin layer of joint compound if necessary, then sand it once it has dried.
• Touch up the paint on the walls as much as required.

Steps for fixing popped nail heads include:

• In case you see a popped nail head, it implies that the nail has loosened from the wall stud.
• So, take the a drywall screw to reattach the drywall to the wall stud.
• Drive the drywall screw into the wall 1 to 2 inches above the burst nail head.
• Sink the screw head underneath the drywall’s surface.
• Push the popped nail head back into the wall by hammering.
• Be careful not to damage any additional drywall.
• Apply spackle to the buried screw and the nail head.
• Allow the spackle to cure completely before sanding it smooth.
• Retouch the paint on the walls.

Steps for repairing a hole in the drywall that is less than 4 inches in diameter: 

• Use the self-adhesive mesh patch to cover the hole. 
• Spread the spackle or lightweight joint compound provided in the kit over the patched hole using a putty knife. Spread it across the wall in a crisscross manner, feathering the edges to make it blend in better. 
• Allow the joint compound to dry for the time specified by the manufacturer. 
• The drying could take up to around 24 hours. 
• If necessary, apply a second coat of joint compound to completely fill and cover the area. 
• After the area has dried, sand it smooth. 
• Retouch the paint on the walls.

In the case of holes that are greater than 4 inches in diameter, they should usually be patched with a new piece of drywall. Since you will be cutting into the wall, make sure you know where your electrical cables and utilities are before you begin. With a stud finder, locate the wall studs where most of the wires should be attached.

DryDex, which comes in 12-pint, 5-ounce, and quart-size containers, is especially good for drywall repairs, making it a perfect spackle to have on hand for emergency repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can Spackle hold screws?

No, the spackle cannot hold screws. Click on the link to read more

Is spackle harmful to your health? 

Spackle is generally safe to breathe as long as it isn’t inhaled in large amounts. However, when sanding spackle, it’s still a good idea to wear a mask because breathing in the dust particles might irritate the throat and airway.

Is it possible to sand spackle?

Yes. In most circumstances, sanding the spackle after it has dried is required to ensure that it is level with the wall or ceiling surface.

Is it possible to destroy a spackle patch with water?

Yes. Unless the spackle repair is waterproof, water can destroy it when it is exposed and unpainted. If you are working outside, check the weather forecast to be sure it won’t rain before the patch has time to dry and receive a coat or two of exterior paint.

Is it possible to paint right over the spackle?

Yes, you certainly can! As soon as it’s all dried, the texture and colour should be spot on. If possible, select a matte paint; the glossier your paint is, the more noticeable any flaws will be. There is no need to be afraid of painting over a spackle-repaired wall!

Is it necessary to prime the spackle prior to painting?

While it is not required to prime simple nail-hole repairs, bigger repairs do require a layer of primer before painting. Since spackle is porous in nature, it can absorb moisture from the paint, resulting in insufficient coverage and allowing the repaired area to show through the paint. Prime the surface before painting it, unless the spackle comes with primer.

Is it possible to keep residual spackle for subsequent use?

Yes, certainly, but do make sure it is well stored. When exposed to air and heat, spackle dries quickly, so be sure to close the lid tightly after each application. Keep the spackle in a cold, dark spot, such as a basement, and avoid exposing it to direct sunlight.

How much time does spackle take to dry?

Lightweight spackle can dry in 30 minutes, but most spackle takes 1 to 2 hours to dry. Depending on the thickness of the spackle, some dry times may be longer or shorter.