An unused plastic wall anchor can leave a bump beneath fresh paint. This tip covers a small anchor that can be recessed without damaging the surrounding wall, followed by two applications of spackle.
Recess the anchor gently
If you won’t be using the anchor again, gently tap it farther into the wall until its rim sits just below the surface. Stop if it resists or the wall starts breaking away; this approach isn’t suited to every anchor or wall type.
The aim is to leave room for a smooth patch, with no raised plastic you can feel when you run a hand over the spot.
Fill in two applications
Fill the hole with spackle and let it dry. Then apply another thin layer, smoothing it level with the surrounding wall. Two applications give you a chance to fill any dip left as the first layer dries.
Once the patch is dry, lightly sand away the excess. Remove the sanding dust, then prime the patched area as directed for your filler and paint before applying the finish coat.
The goal is an even surface where the old anchor no longer shows through the paint. The photograph pairs the original blue anchor with the finished patch.
For a larger paint project in the same spirit, see my painted fireplace surround.
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