Vinyl Spackling vs Joint Compaund

[RichK]

Hi,

The cans in the store do have enough info to tell me the difference. Price is at least 3:1. When to one vs the other? Want to patch some holes in the wall, from nail size to a 2inch dia.

RichK

[aemeijers]

I use vinyl for small stuff like nail holes, traditional premixed for larger holes. The vinyl shrinks and cracks, and takes multiple coats. 2" will likely take multiple coats.

aems ends...

[dpb]

So does "regular" (shrink, that is). The only real advantage for some of the vinyls is they may stick a little better in a depression as opposed to a hole ime. May also be just a little easier to get into the tiniest of holes, but that's a nit imo. "Painters' putty" is useful for it's quick drying time if that's an issue as it is for a professional painter but rarely is for a homeowner.

Overall, little reason to not just use a regular premixed for anything of the size it sounds like you've got...

--

[RichK]

In the quantities that I would use it, the overall cost is not a major factor. But in can to can, comparison the vinyl is much more expensive, as in 3:1. There was not nothing on the can to tell me, when one has an advantage. So much for "perfect knowledge" in a freemarket economy :-)

Regards,

RichK

[Colbyt]

Spackling is fine for small nail holes. Would not work at all for a 2" hole. A gallon of ready mix joint compound will do it all.

BUT, that 2" hole is going to take some time to dry. If possible add a backer board to mud over.

Colbyt

[betsyb]

I use Simple Green. 1/4 simple green and 3/4 water and a scrub brush. I have a cat that gives me the "Look". Works fine.

[benick]

vinyl is fine for small "touch-ups" while painting. However what you need is a gallon can of joint compound and a small piece of 1/2 inch drywall . Both available at Home Depot. Cut the 2 inch hole out square. Cut a piece of drywall about 2 inchs bigger than hole on all 4 sides.Turn drywall over and score the drywall to fit hole. CAREFULLY remove drywall on edges LEAVING the face paper and drywall in CENTER...What you should end up with is a piece of sheetrock with 2 inches of face paper all the way around it. Mud around hole, place patch and wipe edges tight.let dry overnight and then skim joint compound over it a couple of times and then sand or wet spounge. The patch is commonly called a "Butterfly Patch"or a " California Patch".

[RichK]

That seems to be a consensus here. But the same can be done with joint compound - so why would one ever use vinyl? Does it have any advantage, such as fast drying etc. It puzzles me that there's a product costing more than "mud" which has no benfites at all :-)

[snip]

Thanks for this great description. I finally visualized it. Heard it somewhere before, but it was not clear to me how exactly it was done. Thanks!

Regards,

RichK

[trader4]

I thought the vinyl was supposed to be a lttle more flexible, so it was better for fixing cracks and similar. It also may dry a little faster. However, in practice I couldn't say I've ever noticed a difference, except of course the price.

[Just Joshin]

Joint compound seems to shrink a bit on me. I don't mind since I do more than one application, and it means less sanding for me.

tom @