A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S

On 2009-02-02, wrote:

A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

The easiest thing to do is to get a larger switch cover, they come in
various sizes--Normal, Mid-Size, and Jumbo.

Wayne

If the visible flaws are small (1/8" or so) just fill with drywall
compound and then paint. If the areas are larger you may have to cut
out the bad area between two studs and attach a new piece of drywall
in that area. Fill and tape the joints and then paint.

If you want it to look right there is no quick way to fix it.

G.S.

On Mon, 2 Feb 2009 09:00:39 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S

wrote:
A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S
I assume that you mean the hole in the wall extends beyond the edge
of the switch plate....just pack in some spackle, let it ooze behind
the back of the opening a tad for traction and mold it a little to keep
it off the switch. Some use joint compound,
but I've never tried it. You can do it in two steps if you have trouble
getting the front edge smooth.

"Gordon Shumway" wrote in message
...
If the visible flaws are small (1/8" or so) just fill with drywall
compound and then paint. If the areas are larger you may have to cut
out the bad area between two studs and attach a new piece of drywall
in that area. Fill and tape the joints and then paint.

If you want it to look right there is no quick way to fix it.

G.S.

On Mon, 2 Feb 2009 09:00:39 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S


Remove cover , sand rough edges with 180 grit sand paper , replace cover to
see if any gaps are visible , remove cover , fill any gaps with One Time
spackle , let spackle dry , sand any spackle , touch up paint , let dry ,
replace cover....Good luck....

"benick" wrote:

Remove cover , sand rough edges with 180 grit sand paper , replace cover
to see if any gaps are visible , remove cover , fill any gaps with One
Time spackle , let spackle dry , sand any spackle , touch up paint , let
dry , replace cover....Good luck....

That "One Time" spackle is worth it's weight in gold; consitently easy to
use and consistently exceptional results.

Jon

On Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:08:32 -0500, "
wrote:

wrote:
A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S
I assume that you mean the hole in the wall extends beyond the edge
of the switch plate....just pack in some spackle, let it ooze behind
the back of the opening a tad for traction and mold it a little to keep
it off the switch. Some use joint compound,
but I've never tried it. You can do it in two steps if you have trouble
getting the front edge smooth.


They also make larger switch plates that will cover.

"metspitzer" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:08:32 -0500, "
wrote:

wrote:
A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S
I assume that you mean the hole in the wall extends beyond the edge
of the switch plate....just pack in some spackle, let it ooze behind
the back of the opening a tad for traction and mold it a little to keep
it off the switch. Some use joint compound,
but I've never tried it. You can do it in two steps if you have trouble
getting the front edge smooth.


They also make larger switch plates that will cover.

True but SWMBO will never allow a couple of covers that don't match EXACTLY
which means replacing them ALL ..Much cheaper to patch a couple of
boxes....LOL....

wrote:
A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S

a. bigger cover plate

b. sheetrock mud, sanding, and painting.

c. don't worry about it.

wrote:
A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S
You don't say what the rough edges actually are. They could be a number of
things. If the hole is oversize and the cover plate doesn't actually cover
the hole leaving a visible gap, you can fill it. One problem many people
find is that drywall compound and/or spackle doesn't like to stick to the
raw gypsum edges and just falls off. I have found that if you vacuum it dust
free then dab some latex paint on the raw unpapered edges of the drywall,
once the paint is dry, the compound and/or spackle will stick better and
allow you to fill the gap in a better manner. If the compound falls through
the hole, add a stick, popsickle stick or suitable small piece of wood tied
to some string and shoved in back of the hole will stop the filler from
pushing through, hold the string untill it stays in place or tie the end of
the string to something solid for an hour or so.

wrote:
A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S
oversize/deeper cover, or if it is real bad, use a box extender and
feather a lump of mud over the bad parts.

--
aem sends...

On Mon, 2 Feb 2009 09:00:39 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S

To do it right, spackle/sand/spackle/sand/inspect. And then you need
to prime the area and paint the entire wall. A lot of work. Possibly
make a paper mat backing outlining the existing plate cover and glue
into place. The thin mat adds a small border to the switch plate
which should look good until the next renovation. Personally I like
the "buy a larger cover plate" idea.

"EXT" wrote in message
anews.com...
wrote:
A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S
You don't say what the rough edges actually are. They could be a number of
things. If the hole is oversize and the cover plate doesn't actually cover
the hole leaving a visible gap, you can fill it. One problem many people
find is that drywall compound and/or spackle doesn't like to stick to the
raw gypsum edges and just falls off. I have found that if you vacuum it
dust
free then dab some latex paint on the raw unpapered edges of the drywall,
once the paint is dry, the compound and/or spackle will stick better and
allow you to fill the gap in a better manner. If the compound falls
through
the hole, add a stick, popsickle stick or suitable small piece of wood
tied
to some string and shoved in back of the hole will stop the filler from
pushing through, hold the string untill it stays in place or tie the end
of
the string to something solid for an hour or so.



The "rough" edges around boxes are almost always furred paper from the
Rotozip drywall router used by pro's to do cutouts and even pro's will mess
up a couple....It's easily fixed as I've already posted...Don't make it more
complicated than it is....As far as fixing a small gap around boxes you
could try a little paper joint tape instead of the all the things you say to
try...

On 2/2/2009 5:00 PM Phisherman spake thus:

On Mon, 2 Feb 2009 09:00:39 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

To do it right, spackle/sand/spackle/sand/inspect. And then you need
to prime the area and paint the entire wall.

You don't necessarily need to repaint the entire wall. I just finished a
wall-patching job for a friend. I just painted the areas I patched
(after priming) with some leftover paint they had from the last time the
room was painted (about 15 years ago). It looks fine, and they're happy.


--
Personally, I like Vista, but I probably won't use it. I like it
because it generates considerable business for me in consulting and
upgrades. As long as there is hardware and software out there that
doesn't work, I stay in business. Incidentally, my company motto is
"If this stuff worked, you wouldn't need me".

- lifted from sci.electronics.repair

benick wrote:
"EXT" wrote in message
anews.com...
wrote:
A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges
in the wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S
You don't say what the rough edges actually are. They could be a
number of things. If the hole is oversize and the cover plate
doesn't actually cover the hole leaving a visible gap, you can fill
it. One problem many people find is that drywall compound and/or
spackle doesn't like to stick to the raw gypsum edges and just
falls off. I have found that if you vacuum it dust
free then dab some latex paint on the raw unpapered edges of the
drywall, once the paint is dry, the compound and/or spackle will
stick better and allow you to fill the gap in a better manner. If
the compound falls through
the hole, add a stick, popsickle stick or suitable small piece of
wood tied
to some string and shoved in back of the hole will stop the filler
from pushing through, hold the string untill it stays in place or
tie the end of
the string to something solid for an hour or so.



The "rough" edges around boxes are almost always furred paper from
the Rotozip drywall router used by pro's to do cutouts and even pro's
will mess up a couple....It's easily fixed as I've already
posted...Don't make it more complicated than it is....As far as
fixing a small gap around boxes you could try a little paper joint
tape instead of the all the things you say to try...

I am sorry to make any suggestions that you disapprove of, especially since
you have diagnosed the problem from no details. It could have been a
missalligned outlet hole that was hand cut prior to installing the
sheetrock. But you know best.

On 2/2/2009 5:58 PM EXT spake thus:

benick wrote:

"EXT" wrote in message
anews.com...

The "rough" edges around boxes are almost always furred paper from
the Rotozip drywall router used by pro's to do cutouts and even
pro's will mess up a couple....It's easily fixed as I've already
posted...Don't make it more complicated than it is....As far as
fixing a small gap around boxes you could try a little paper joint
tape instead of the all the things you say to try...

I am sorry to make any suggestions that you disapprove of, especially
since you have diagnosed the problem from no details. It could have
been a missalligned outlet hole that was hand cut prior to installing
the sheetrock. But you know best.

Heh; those rough edges "from the Rotozip drywall router used by pro's
[sic] to do cutouts" could just as easily be rough plaster (not drywall)
edges created long before anyone who built houses ever heard of a
"Rotozip". We just can't tell from what the O.P. told us.


--
Personally, I like Vista, but I probably won't use it. I like it
because it generates considerable business for me in consulting and
upgrades. As long as there is hardware and software out there that
doesn't work, I stay in business. Incidentally, my company motto is
"If this stuff worked, you wouldn't need me".

- lifted from sci.electronics.repair

"EXT" wrote in message
anews.com...
benick wrote:
"EXT" wrote in message
anews.com...
wrote:
A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges
in the wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S
You don't say what the rough edges actually are. They could be a
number of things. If the hole is oversize and the cover plate
doesn't actually cover the hole leaving a visible gap, you can fill
it. One problem many people find is that drywall compound and/or
spackle doesn't like to stick to the raw gypsum edges and just
falls off. I have found that if you vacuum it dust
free then dab some latex paint on the raw unpapered edges of the
drywall, once the paint is dry, the compound and/or spackle will
stick better and allow you to fill the gap in a better manner. If
the compound falls through
the hole, add a stick, popsickle stick or suitable small piece of
wood tied
to some string and shoved in back of the hole will stop the filler
from pushing through, hold the string untill it stays in place or
tie the end of
the string to something solid for an hour or so.



The "rough" edges around boxes are almost always furred paper from
the Rotozip drywall router used by pro's to do cutouts and even pro's
will mess up a couple....It's easily fixed as I've already
posted...Don't make it more complicated than it is....As far as
fixing a small gap around boxes you could try a little paper joint
tape instead of the all the things you say to try...

I am sorry to make any suggestions that you disapprove of, especially
since you have diagnosed the problem from no details. It could have been a
missalligned outlet hole that was hand cut prior to installing the
sheetrock. But you know best.


I never said I disaproved of your "method" of fixing boxes..How much detail
do you need for fixing a box anyways??? I just passed on knowledge from 22
years of drywall work...I mean , I've only repaired HUNDREDS of them over
the years and regardless of the cause the fix is the same...I just said
furred paper is "almost always" the culprit...Wanna keep playing with
popsickle sticks and string go for it...I'd kinda like to see it
even...LOL....

"Jon Danniken" wrote in
:

"benick" wrote:

Remove cover , sand rough edges with 180 grit sand paper , replace
cover to see if any gaps are visible , remove cover , fill any gaps
with One Time spackle , let spackle dry , sand any spackle , touch
up paint , let dry , replace cover....Good luck....

That "One Time" spackle is worth it's weight in gold; consitently easy
to use and consistently exceptional results.

Jon



Had never heard of it. Have to look for it when I go by a paint or hardware
store. In general, Borg rules around here :-(

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"Jon Danniken" wrote in
:

"benick" wrote:

Remove cover , sand rough edges with 180 grit sand paper , replace
cover to see if any gaps are visible , remove cover , fill any gaps
with One Time spackle , let spackle dry , sand any spackle , touch
up paint , let dry , replace cover....Good luck....

That "One Time" spackle is worth it's weight in gold; consitently easy
to use and consistently exceptional results.

Jon



Had never heard of it. Have to look for it when I go by a paint or
hardware
store. In general, Borg rules around here :-(

HD has it around here as does most paint and hardware stores...If you don't
see it in the drywall stuff , check the paint section near the woodfiller ,
ect...

On Feb 2, 6:37*pm, "EXT" wrote:
wrote:
A couple of light switches in my house have visible rough edges in the
wall around one or more sides of the switch cover.

What's a good way of covering those up? *Someone I know suggested
caulk, but when I imagine the result it doesn't look too good.

One switch is in drywall, the other plaster.

TIA,

S

You don't say what the rough edges actually are. They could be a number of
things. If the hole is oversize and the cover plate doesn't actually cover
the hole leaving a visible gap, you can fill it. One problem many people

That's the problem: hole is slightly oversized.

find is that drywall compound and/or spackle doesn't like to stick to the
raw gypsum edges and just falls off. I have found that if you vacuum it dust
free then dab some latex paint on the raw unpapered edges of the drywall,
once the paint is dry, the compound and/or spackle will stick better and
allow you to fill the gap in a better manner. If the compound falls through
the hole, add a stick, popsickle stick or suitable small piece of wood tied
to some string and shoved in back of the hole will stop the filler from
pushing through, hold the string untill it stays in place or tie the end of
the string to something solid for an hour or so.

On Feb 2, 12:00*pm, wrote:

snip

Added detail: the holes are slightly oversized.

Thanks for all the very useful and informative posts!

Cheers!

wrote in message
...
On Feb 2, 12:00 pm, wrote:

snip

Added detail: the holes are slightly oversized.

Thanks for all the very useful and informative posts!

Cheers!

Glob some joint compound in and around the gap , apply paper joint tape over
gap going about an inch past each side of gap , hold one edge and wipe tight
, hold other edge and wipe tight , let dry , skim joint compound over tape ,
sand and skim again with joint compound , let dry , sand and touch up
paint...With setting type joint compound it can be done in one day...Good
luck....