Identify and Prepare Holes

What happens here

Before applying any patch compound, it is crucial to prepare the damaged area. For holes where screws were removed, the surrounding drywall often 'volcanoes' or 'extrudeds', creating a raised bump. Use a sharp, carbide scraper, such as a Linbide scraper or the scraping edge of a multi-tool like the 2 Edge knife, to carefully scrape away these raised areas. Ensure the scraper is held flat against the wall to avoid gouging the surface. Apply firm pressure to effectively flatten the 'volcano' effect. After scraping, run your hand over the area to confirm it is smooth and flat, with no protruding material.

Goal: This step involves identifying holes, particularly those caused by screws that create a 'volcano' effect, and preparing them by scraping down any raised areas to create a flat surface.