Repair Gouged Walls With Two-Part Filler That Sands in Under an Hour

The Problem

A wall section covered in gouges and scratches is a long project with spackle: multiple thin coats, shrinkage, re-coats, and a soft patch at the end of it that dents again on the next impact.

The Technique

1. Knock down any raised edges around the damage with a putty knife.
2. Scoop out a working amount of two-part multipurpose filler onto a paper plate and mix in the hardener. From this point you have three or four minutes of working time — mix small batches.
3. Spread it across the damage with the putty knife. It doesn't have to be perfect; get it smooth-ish and slightly proud.
4. Let it dry about 20 minutes. It cures rock-hard — this is the durability spackle doesn't have.
5. Sand it smooth. On a big section, hand-sanding is a workout — an orbital sander in one hand and a vacuum in the other keeps the dust manageable.
6. If you can feel a ridge, you'll see it when you paint — keep sanding until it's flush. Then paint.