If you have an older home with
plaster walls, you'll need to
patch before painting.

About this Project

If your home has plaster walls, you can resign yourself to patching before every paint job. Harmless cracks will return with regularity no matter how often you fill them. Watch, though, for loose or crumbly cracks, holes, and bulges; these may mean you have a leak. If you have a leak, fix it before doing any work on the walls.

• Dry-mix joint compound is strong, making it a good choice for wide cracks and holes.
• Vinyl surfacing compound is soft and flexible. Use it for narrow cracks or holes.
• Patching plaster or gauging plaster creates a genuine plaster surface, but it takes time to learn how apply it correctly.
• Latex/silicone caulk stays flexible and so can accommodate shifting cracks.
• Aerosol crack seal is ideal for small cracks. Spray it just before priming.