One of the most critical steps in the room painting process is patching and repairing the existing drywall. Before the actual repairs take place, we need to determine what kind of patching material to use depending on the size of the repair and the amount of dry-time we want to give the patch.

As with most trade skills, this one takes hands-on practice. You’ll need to learn how to mix the right consistency of mud. Most repairs require three coats of mud and you’ll use sequentially larger spackling blades with each new coat. Experience will teach you how long patches take to dry. And you’ll see how the mud can shrink as it dries. Practice will teach you how thick or thin to apply the mud and how many layers your patch will require. As you gain expertise, you’ll see why many painters have a hairdryer, if not a fan, on the job site to speed dry times. Let's take a look…