How to Cover Up Thumbtack Holes in the Wall

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Things You'll Need

  • Soft sponge

  • Putty knife

  • Toothpick

  • Spackle

  • Sandpaper

  • Paint

  • Small paintbrush

Thumbtacks leave unattractive holes when removed.

If you're moving out of a dorm or apartment, you may be charged for any damages to the wall, even small thumbtack holes. In many cases, it is less expensive to fill in thumbtack holes than to pay the cost of repair. Cover holes in the wall and restore it to normal with a few common hardware supplies.

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Step 1

Wash the wall around the thumbtack hole with a soft sponge and warm, soapy water to remove dirt. This will leave a clean surface for applying spackle. Let the wall dry thoroughly before proceeding.

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Step 2

Pick up a tiny bit of spackle with a toothpick and push it into the thumbtack hole. Spread a little spackle over the hole to conceal it and make the surface flush. Allow the spackle to dry before proceeding.

Step 3

Sand the surface of the spackle in a circular motion to make it smooth. If the wall is white, you may not need to paint over it. If the wall is any other color, cover the spackle with paint that matches the wall. Find an exact match by bringing a small sample of the wall's paint to a paint store.

Step 4

Apply paint over the spackle, using a small paintbrush.

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