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What is Spackling Compound?
Spackling compound is a material that typically is used for filling in cracks and imperfections on surfaces prior to painting or wallpapering. Gypsum plaster that is made of hydrated calcium sulfate and glue are its main components. It usually is available in two forms: a ready-to-use variety that is mixed to a consistency that generally is used for most repair work, and a powder to which water is added to make a thick paste. Powder form is often used as a joint compound so that it can be made thicker in order to cover butt joints on drywall.
The typical purpose of spackle is to create a surface that is smooth and flat so that it will not sag or have an indention when wallpaper or paint is applied on the wall. This is done by filling a hole, indentation, or crack with the compound and letting it dry completely. Many renters use spackling compound when vacating a unit to fill in tiny holes in the walls from nails, screws, or molly bolts that they used to hang pictures and mirrors. This procedure usually provides a quick, clean wall, helping the renter to get his security deposit back.
Spackling compound needs to be allowed to dry completely so that it does not crumble when paint or paper is applied on top of it. Some brands are colored so that it's easier to see the difference between when they are wet and when they are dry. This type is typically available in the ready-to-use form and is pink when wet, but turns white to let the user know it is time for the next step. This was created because some walls need a thicker application due to the depth of the crack, hole, or indentation, and requires a longer drying time.
Vinyl spackle is often used to cover imperfections in vinyl wall coverings. This step usually allows a homeowner to apply a second sheet of wallpaper or other wall covering directly on top of the original layer without having the time and cost associated with removal of the original. All types and forms of spackling compound usually should be sanded after they dry to ensure a smooth surface. This can be accomplished with a sheet of sandpaper on a sanding block for small areas, although a belt sander may be easier to use on large areas.
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![Spackling compound may be used to create a smooth surface on walls before applying wallpaper.]()
By: bramginoSpackling compound may be used to create a smooth surface on walls before applying wallpaper. -
![Spackling compound may be applied to walls to create a smooth surface before painting.]()
By: branexSpackling compound may be applied to walls to create a smooth surface before painting. -
![Spackling compound may be used to repair nail holes in walls.]()
By: serkucherSpackling compound may be used to repair nail holes in walls. -
![Spackling compound should be sanded after it dries.]()
By: maticsandraSpackling compound should be sanded after it dries. -
![A man applies a coat of spackling compound to a wall.]()
By: yellowjA man applies a coat of spackling compound to a wall. -
![Spackling compound is often used to fill cracks or holes in drywall and plaster.]()
By: Kristina BenterSpackling compound is often used to fill cracks or holes in drywall and plaster.
Discussion Comments
Another thing you could use spackling compound for is for sculpting with by applying it to a wire and metal screen mesh armature of whatever you're trying to sculpt.
@kylee07drg – I've only ever used spackle as wall plaster for repair, but I have seen artists use it in their paintings. The results were cool, too.
Basically, you can manipulate how the texture will turn out by pressing things onto the spackle before it dries. In your case, maybe you should use a sponge to get a bubbly appearance.
I have a friend who pressed pebbles into spackle on a canvas to portray a sidewalk. This made it look very realistic, and it was much more visually interesting than just painted gray blocks would have been. I think your ocean painting would look awesome with some spackle thrown in for froth.
Has anyone here ever done any texture painting with spackle? I've done texture painting with globs of regular old acrylic paint, but it seems like spackle would be more fitting for this purpose.
Will it cling to the canvas if the area underneath has already been painted? I'm guessing it will, since it can cling to regular wall paint.
I am working on a painting of ocean waves, and I would like to use spackle to depict the white froth and bubbles. Would this turn out okay? I would hate to ruin it if it didn't.
@DylanB – I would buy the joint compound. I know that you can fill small holes with it, as well as repair large spots, but I have never heard of using spackle on large areas.
I think they are both basically just wall plaster. I don't know a whole lot about spackle, but I have used joint compound to fill screw holes, and I had no problems with it. My dad just happened to have a bucket of it in his shop, so that is what he told me to use.
Since joint compound is cheaper, that is just more motivation to use it instead. I hope it works out for you.
Is there a big difference between joint compound and spackle? At my local home improvement store, joint compound is a good bit cheaper.
Some people have told me that they are basically the same, and others have said that they are nowhere near identical. I am so confused!
I have some small holes in my wall to fill, but I also have a large area that was damaged while I was moving furniture that I need to spackle and repaint. Which product should I buy?
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