Repairing the Drywall
Step 1
Wipe or brush down the crack to remove loose material.
Step 2
Apply "no-shrink" spackle with your fingertip along the crack. Vinyl spackle and joint compound shrinks as it dries and usually requires two coats, but the no-shrink spackle will fill minor cracks and small holes without shrinking.
Step 3
Allow it to dry for about an hour, then use a slightly damp (not soaking wet) rag to wipe away any excess.
Step 4
Prime the repair. If you can't see it, paint the wall. If the repair is easily visible, you'll have to match the knockdown texture.
Matching Knockdown Texture
Step 1
Purchase a can of knockdown spray texture from a paint or hardware store. The can will come with three straws, for matching coarse, medium or fine texture. Select the appropriate straw; if you're not sure which to use, apply some to a sheet of cardboard to compare it to the existing texture and get a feel for how to use it.
Step 2
Apply a light coat of the texture along the crack. It's easy to go back and fill in thin areas, but almost impossible to fix too-heavy texture so use a very light touch. Wait 10 to 20 minutes until the texture has started to set up, then flatten it down gently with a wide putty or drywall knife.
Step 3
Allow the knockdown to dry. A very light coat may dry in as little as 30 minutes, coarser texture can take 4 hours or more. Prime the repair before painting the wall.