09/09/2026
When you’ve got old anchors in your plaster wall they’re likely mostly metal and expanded in behind the wall, so don’t expect to pull them out completely.
But you can usually pop off the tops for better patching and here’s how .
Tap the anchor in a bit; I use a small hammer and nail setter and gently tap around the metal edge till it starts to pop up a bit.
Then take your pliers and pull the metal and it will likely pop off leaving just the middle of the anchor in the wall which is the easiest fix.
Then take a sanding block to knock down any rough plaster edges around the hole, and then fill in the holes with joint compound.
Then you just do what you do with that. Letting it dry then sanding it down smooth and giving it another joint compound top off if needed, letting that dry fully and giving it a final knock down with your sanding block again.
Then you’re ready to prime and paint! That’s the fun part. I’m getting so close...
