I work in Architecture, and now have a deep respect for the drywall trade. There is a chance I may do another skim coat. I shot a halogen work lamp at it from an angle in the dark and let the perfectionist get a hold of me while I sanded. I added a little more and more water to my compound after 3, 4&5, with the 5th being a very thin skim coat. I did 5 coats and sanded between each coat with 150 after 1 & 2 and 120 after 3 & 4 and 150 after 5. I have just finished sanding and will be painting with kilz next. My first major drywall test was in the very high foot traffic area between the living room and (what was a) bedroom where I tore a wall down. What do you think? What are your techniques for hiding drywall flaws? Weigh in below and let us know. Combined with recessed lighting, the very imperfect drywall ceiling is completely disguised. The flaws are noticeable if you know where to look, and you’re searching for them. Ideally you wouldn’t be able to see any of the joints after a couple coats of primer. If you’re curious about that wire, it’s for the garage door opener, and you can just barely see the attic access. Instead we applied another layer of mud, sanded, primed and painted.įor this application we used Valspar flat, black paint. The best course of action would be to re-tape the damaged areas and conceal the joints with a few layers of drywall compound. When the drywall was installed, the joints were taped, however nothing was sanded and much of the tape has since ripped. One challenge we’ve faced as we create the official OPC workshop is the poor condition of the ceiling drywall. Up close, though, it’s still easy to see the flaws. From a distance, with Ralph Lauren eggshell, green paint, the imperfections are pretty invisible. This soffit was repaired after a section of it was removed. The first two shots show a soffit in our home, one up-close and one from a distance. Here are two examples showing how darker, low-sheen paints can hide defects. The drawback: darker colors make a room look smaller, and can promote a dreary atmosphere when not sufficiently lit. In the same way flat finishes reduce dent visibility, darker paints also reflect less light than lighter paints, making them a better choice for hiding defects. As a compromise, eggshell paints offer an easier-to-clean surface that still do a pretty good job of hiding defects. Unfortunately, these paints tend to be harder to clean and require more frequent touch-ups. Flat finishes also look bolder and classier than their glossier counterparts. Paint with a Flat Finish Paintįlat finishes reduce the amount of light reflected off the wall, thus reducing the visibility of dents and dings. Textured paints and creative application techniques (like sponging a lighter color over a darker one) will greatly reduce the visibility of imperfections since it is harder for the eye to identify the peaks and valleys on the wall. A dent distorts the plain of the wall, causing the light to bounce off in a way that the eye instantly identifies as an inconsistency. The human eye picks up on dents and defects due primarily to the different angle of light reflection on the surface. Use Textured Paint or a Pattern on the Wall Read on to see how paint selection can make a dramatic difference when concealing minor imperfections. (Note: all hiding techniques have limitations… it is much better to start with a smooth, clean wall).Įditors note: Many of you know that we’re converting Fred’s garage into the official OPC workshop, and it’s given us the opportunity to add some new pictures to this post. If that’s you, here’s a few suggestions from our own experience for the best way to cover up slight imperfections. The best solution for these imperfections is to lightly sand the surface, use drywall compound to fill the dents, and then sand the compound flat and smooth with a very fine grain sandpaper.Įven after using this technique, though, homeowners are frequently looking for ways to hide dents and dings in well-worn walls using paint. While everyone prefers smooth, flat, undamaged drywall, the reality is that most older homes (or homes with children) have a couple of dents and dings.
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