How to Fill Nail Holes

Co-authored by Art Fricke

Last Updated: October 9, 2022 References

You can fill nail holes the proper, long-lasting way by using spackling paste on both plaster walls and drywall, or wood putty on finished wood. For a quick fix, you can use everyday items like toothpaste, craft glue, or bar soap. Choose items that match your wall color or paint over the holes discretely after they are filled.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Filling Nail Holes in Walls

1
Apply spackling paste to the holes with a putty knife. Purchase a tub or tube of spackling paste from your local hardware store. Smooth the area with a putty knife before applying a quarter-sized amount of spackling to it. Slowly drag the putty knife over the surface of each nail hole to fill it.^{[1]
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Spackling paste is the best material to use to fill nail holes in either plaster walls or drywall in a long-lasting way. It is also called joint compound or patching compound.
2
Remove any excess paste with a clean putty knife. Remove putty from the putty knife with a damp cloth. Drag the clean tool over the nail holes vertically and horizontally to remove excess putty. Repeat this step until the surface of the wall looks even. Let the putty dry for up to 1 hour.^{[2]
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- You can also use a second putty knife, ruler, or kitchen knife for this step.
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3
Sand the area lightly to ensure an even surface. Once the putty is dry, rub a piece of sandpaper or a sanding block over your spackled nail holes. Sand the area lightly until the surface looks even. Wipe away any sand dust with a clean, damp cloth.^{[3]
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- For the best results, use a medium grit sandpaper to remove excess spackling paste, then a fine grit sandpaper to smooth the area.^{[4]
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4
Apply paint to the filled spots with a small paintbrush or paper towel. Apply a light covering of wall paint to a small paintbrush or paper towel. Lightly dab the filled nail holes to deposit the paint over them. Avoid applying a heavy coat of paint over the holes, which may leave obvious spots on your wall.^{[5]
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- Use the same color of wall paint that is covering the rest of the wall.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Materials from Home for a Quick Fix

1
Mix toothpaste and aspirin as an alternative to spackling paste. Use a mortar and pestle or a bowl and sturdy spoon to crush a tablet of aspirin. Squeeze out about .25 inches (0.64 cm) of toothpaste onto the aspirin powder and mix them together into a paste. Apply this thick mixture to small nail holes with a craft stick or other small, flat tool.^{[6]
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- If the aspirin and toothpaste won't mix evenly, add a drop of water to the mixture.
- This filler can be used in drywall or plaster walls.
- Alternatively, make a paste using 1 tablespoon (9 g) of flour, 1 teaspoon (5 g) of salt, and a few drops of water.
2
Rub a bar of soap over the holes to fill them without tools. Rub a dry bar of soap over your nail holes, back and forth. Stop once the holes look filled in. Run a dry cloth or rag over the surface of the holes to wipe excess soap pieces away.^{[7]
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- Avoid using a wet or damp rag, which can melt or dissolve the soap.
- Opt for a white soap if you have white walls.
- You can use this method for either drywall or plaster walls.
3
Squeeze craft glue into nail holes to fill them quickly. Purchase a bottle of white craft glue online or from a craft store. Position the nozzle in front of each nail hole and carefully squeeze in glue until the hole is full. Wait for the glue to dry, then scrape away any excess glue around the outside of the hole.^{[8]
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- You can also apply craft glue to the nail holes with a cotton swab.
- Add a sprinkle of baking soda to the glue if you want a filler with a thicker consistency.
- This quick solution can be used for plaster walls and drywall.
4
Rub a crayon over the nail holes to disguise holes and match your wall color. Select a wax crayon that is relatively similar to your wall color. Insert the tip of the crayon into the hole and twist it back and forth to deposit wax into the hole. When it is filled, wipe the surface with a clean cloth to remove excess pieces of crayon.^{[9]
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- The crayon does not have to match your wall color exactly as it will look blended to the naked eye.
- Crayon can be used to fill nail holes in drywall or plaster walls.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Fixing Nails Holes in Finished Wood

1
Purchase a wood putty that matches the finish of your wood. Wood putty comes in a variety of shades to match different types of wood and finishes. Purchase a putty that matches your wood as closely as possible. To make this easy, take a picture of the wood to refer to when you are making your purchase.^{[10]
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- You can make your own wood putty by using sawdust from the wood and white wood glue.
- If you are going to refinish the wooden surface afterwards, it doesn't matter if the putty matches the color of wood, as you will paint over it anyway.
2
Place painter's tape around the nail hole to protect the surrounding wood. Poke a nail-sized hole in a piece of painter's tape using a screwdriver, utility knife, or another tool. Line up the tape over the nail hole. Gently press down on the tape to adhere it to the wood.
- Use more than one piece of tape if needed.
3
Apply the wood putty to the nail hole with a putty knife. Put a quarter size amount of wood putty onto the tip of a clean putty knife. Gently scrape the knife across the painter's tape over the nail hole. Apply putty until the hole is filled.^{[11]
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- Scrape away any putty that is protruding out of the hole as it will expand slightly as it dries.
4
Remove the tape and polish the area with a dry rag. Pull the tape away from the wood very gently to avoid damage. Rub a clean, dry rag over the surface of the filled nail hole to smooth it. Avoid using a damp rag, which could smudge the putty.^{[12]
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Community Q&A
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Question

How do you fill nail holes without painting?

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If your walls are white or off-white, you might be able to get away with patching the holes with a little spackle and leaving it unpainted. Wipe away any excess spackle around the hole with a damp cloth so it doesn’t show up against the surrounding paint as much. You can use wood filler in a matching color if you’re patching a hole in unpainted wood.
Question

Are you supposed to fill nail holes when you move?

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This is usually a good idea, but you might check your lease or ask your landlord or property manager to be sure. Some landlords may take the cost of the repairs out of your security deposit if you don’t do it yourself.
Question

What do painters use to fill nail holes?

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Most painters use shrink-free spackling compound and sand it down before painting over it. Wood filler works best for holes in wood surfaces, such as wooden walls and trim.