A frequent problem in remodeling and repair work is the damaged outside corner where some plaster has chipped off, but not enough to warrant installing a corner bead. To fix these dings, I take a flat plasterer’s trowel (ideally longer than the chipped area) and lay it on one side of the corner, flush to the edge where it acts as a form. Then I fill the exposed side of the hole with patching compound, and slide the trowel away from the corner without lifting it off the wall, as shown. For larger fill-ins, plaster works better because it doesn’t sag as much as patching compound. When using plaster, be sure to apply water or a bonding agent to the old surface.
Sam Yoder, Cambridge, MA
