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Painter’s Putty vs Spackle: Which is Best for Your Needs?
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
Before painting an interior wall, you may need to apply a painter’s putty or spackle to repair minor damage. Holes left from hanging pictures and other minor scrapes and dents cannot be hidden by several coats of high-quality paint. Although they’re used for similar repairs. painter’s putty and spackle have slight differences. Below, we’ll discuss when to use painter’s putty and spackle so that your interior paint job makes your walls look like they’re brand-new.
Painter’s Putty
The purpose of painter’s putty is to fill small cracks and holes before the paint is applied. Once you have mended the imperfections, you can apply primer and seamlessly paint over it. When you don’t repair the imperfections on a wall or work surface, you run the risk of compromising the quality of your paint job. It’s best to use painter’s putty on molding and wooden surfaces instead of spackle, but you can also use it on drywall.
Spackle is very similar to painter’s putty. It’s also used to repair minor damage but can be applied to larger holes and cracks in the wall. However, it doesn’t adhere to paint as well as the painter’s putty. If you sand the spackle and apply primer, you can paint over the area when the primer is dry. It’s best to use it on drywall when the damage covers a large area. If the repaired area is not sanded and primed properly, the spackle will show through the paint.
MAKES REPAIRS 3X FASTER than traditional vinyl spackling
QUICK AND EASY repair for nicks and nail holes
FOR HOLE REPAIRS up to 3" in diameter
Which is Better?
Although you can use painter’s putty or spackle to repair damage, painter’s putty dries quicker and adheres to paint better than spackle. Spackle is usually less expensive and is ideal for covering large areas of drywall damage. However, it’s better to use painter’s putty on wood trim and composite molding. It has a smoother finish than spackle and requires less prep work before painting over it.
Conclusion
Painter’s putty and spackle are similar compounds, and you can use either one to repair damage on a wall. Professional painters often use painter’s putty for wooden surfaces and spackle for drywall. Spackle is more cost-effective to repair large holes and scrapes in the drywall. It requires more sanding and priming before painting, and if you have small holes or dents, it’s better to use the painter’s putty. It dries fast, can be painted without primer, and leaves a smoother finish than spackle.
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
