Types of Spackle: A Pro’s Guide to Choosing the Right Formula

When prepping a wall for painting, spackle helps you fill imperfections and create a smooth surface. In their most basic form, standard spackling compounds are pastes, often made from gypsum powder, other binders, and liquid. 

However, there are quite a few formulas out there — so which spackle is right for the job? In general, lightweight spackle types work great for quick and minor fixes indoors, while heavier-duty options like acrylic are durable enough for larger cracks or exterior walls.

Choosing the correct type of spackle for your project is crucial for achieving a high-quality finish, efficiency, and long-term durability. Read on to learn about the common types of spackle, their pros and cons, and how to match formulas to the task at hand.

While it'd be great if there were one best spackle to use, the best type varies depending on what you're spackling.

Several considerations should factor into your spackle selection, including:

• The size of the hole
• The material you're patching
• The surface's paint-readiness
• The location (indoors or outdoors)

For each job, think about how fast you need the spackle to dry, its long-term durability, and how smooth of a finish you want to find the right type of spackle.

Known for being easy to apply, layer, and sand, lightweight spackles are best for covering nail holes, minor cracks, and dents in drywall. This spackle type is typically composed of a binder, such as acrylic or vinyl, and a lightweight filler, like microballoons or perlite. The binders make the spackle into a functional paste, while the filler makes it lightweight. Some formulas contain additional adhesives like sodium silicate, which helps them spread and stick better in tiny spaces.

Some pros include:

• Fast-drying abilities
• General smoothness
• Ease of application

However, lightweight spackle also has some drawbacks:

• Not the most durable option
• Unlikely to withstand weather if applied outdoors

Vinyl spackles include calcium carbonate (limestone powder) as a slightly bulkier filler, a vinyl acrylic copolymer as a flexible binder, and elastic polymers for added pliability and crack resistance. It can repair small- to medium-sized holes and cracks in materials like drywall, plaster, wood, or stucco.

Compared to other types of drywall spackle, vinyl retains much of the versatility and ease of use of lightweight spackle while also providing a bit more strength for slightly larger repairs and harsher conditions. When choosing a vinyl spackle, check its recommended uses, as some are intended for purely indoor use, while others are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Acrylic spackles contain an aqueous vinyl acrylic emulsion, calcium carbonate, and additives like soda lime, borosilicate glass, and propylene glycol. The aqueous vinyl acrylic emulsion is the binder, while calcium carbonate and borosilicate glass are fillers. Soda lime and propylene glycol regulate the drying process, so coats of spackle will set properly without drying too quickly. Powdered minerals like clay, gypsum, or quartz may also be in an acrylic spackle formulation.

Common surfaces for acrylic spackle include drywall, plaster, wood, and stone. It's easy to apply and dries quickly, often within a few hours. This spackle type also doesn't shrink or crack, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use. However, acrylic spackle is best for covering minor holes and does not work well for repairing more extensive damage.

Epoxy resin and a hardener combine to form an ultra-durable type of spackle. A unique factor of epoxy spackle is that it usually comes as a two-part system, where the resin and hardener come separately, and you must mix them before use. Considered one of the longest-lasting spackles, epoxy offers some of the best strength and moisture resistance.

Since it's waterproof, epoxy spackle is ideal for outdoor wood, brick, stone or metal repairs. It can adhere to multiple types of materials that other spackles may not. But while you can use epoxy on drywall, it's not the best choice for this purpose.

Spackle and joint compound are both drywall fillers for repairing dents and holes. Spackle is generally better for minor repairs. Joint compound, also called drywall mud or drywall compound, performs better when filling larger holes and cracks. Professionals also use joint compounds to embed drywall tape and reinforce the seams between drywall sheets.

When comparing the two products, spackle dries faster, sands down easily, and shrinks less than joint compound. On the other hand, joint compound requires more expertise to apply correctly and takes longer to dry, but it works well for large-scale projects and remains sturdy over time.

Other filler types include caulk, which fills gaps in areas where you expect movement. For example, caulk works well as a sealant around doors and windows to prevent pests. It's also great around plumbing fixtures to avoid leaks.

How to prep your surface for spackle depends on the compound you're using, the material you're applying it to, and the project as a whole. To achieve pro-level spackling, apply thin layers and sand them thoroughly. If you add too much spackle on the first coat, it will take longer to dry. You may also over-correct, creating a bump in place of the original crack or hole in the drywall. Additionally, try feathering the edges of your spackled area to create a seamless transition into the rest of the surface.

If you don't know  how to prime a wall  for painting, we recommend consulting the experts. Industry veteran Jerry Vargo offers tips on the best type of primer to use, how to paint all the corners and edges properly, and more.

The outcome of your painting job starts with the proper preparation. Without a smooth, primed surface, your wall, door, deck, furniture piece, or any other surface you choose to paint may turn out bumpy and messy-looking. Quality tools, like the right  drywall knife , give your project a professional finish while making your process more efficient.

Professionals who care about speed and results make a point of using high-quality  putty knives ,  sanding tools , and spreaders for a clean finish. Hyde Tools have superior quality and durability that always meet any professional's needs.

Whether you're a professional or a DIYer, Hyde can help you navigate the best types of spackle for every project.  Reach out with any questions  — our team of experts will be happy to help guide your project forward with recommendations for quality precision tools.