Patching Walls to Look Good

Red Truck

I know how to tape and mud the tapered edges of newly hung drywall. It makes it easy with the tapered edged. However whenever I have to patch an area or large hole, you're usually butting un-tapered edges together. It makes for a flush surface until you have to tape and spackle, and then your edges are raised. I tape and spackle but than I can usually see the outline of the area that needed patching. Can anyone give me advice on how to patch an area (without seeing the taped outline) so it blends smoothly into the rest of the wall?

Thanks.

firehawkmph

RT,
You need to feather it out a little further, and don't try to do it in one coat. When I do little patches, I angle the sides of the hole out a bit and cut a matching patch. I make sure the patch is just a hair smaller so when it fits in place, it is slightly below the surrounding surface. I use nylon tape, and use easy sand on the first coat. For the second and third coat, I have been using the dust control premix thinned just a little with water so it is creamier in consistency. It spreads well and feathers nicely. Once it is dry, I like to sand carefully, with light pressure, in a circular pattern, making sure the edges blend in well with the drywall around it.
Mike Hawkins

DaveBM

When ever I make a patch like this it is important to make it wide. This tapers out the angle and makes the patch much less visible. Use a 12" trowel to make it at least 10" beyond the tape all around.

If it is on a long wall that gets a lot of light you will need to taper it out even more.