How do you fix a hole in the drywall Spackle Spackle covers and seals holes or damage on drywall to provide fast repairs that will not crack or flake off Make sure the surface of the wall is clean dry and free of any excess materials I like to use the dry time indicator pink so I don t have to guess when it s ready to be sanded and painted The color turns from pink to white when it s dry Usually within 1-3 hours