Putty and Spackle, the Clueless Comparison

spackling holes

The staffers here at the Antisocial Network keep a sort of running score: how many words of a post are necessary to raise the red flag? In the world of the former eHow.com, many of the nominees prove their mettle (so to speak) in the introduction. More than a few of the site's contributors have tripped themselves up in the first sentence. Today's nominee is one such candidate, a college student by the name of Mitchell Land whose Hunker.com post, "Putty vs. Spackle," went down in flames in a mere four words: "Putty is an adhesive..."

Mitch went on to tell his readers,

"...used in various types of construction and maintenance. The substance can also be found in toys like Silly Putty. Spackle is used as a surfacing compound on multiple types of surfaces. The material will not be helpful in spots that will bend or move after application as it does not expand after it dries."

We'll point out Land's errors in order:

• Putty is not necessarily an adhesive; it is more often used as a filler (wood putty) or a gasket (plumber's putty).
• Silly Putty© is a far different substance from the putty used in building trades.
• Spackle isn't a "surfacing compound," that's joint compound. Spackle, believe it or not, a gypsum-based putty used to repair cracks and holes in plaster or drywall.
• No idea what that "bend or move" bushwa refers to.

Land's obvious unfamiliarity with the two products continues, as he claims that.

"Putty comes in multiple strengths and can be used in place of tape, thumbtacks, magnets and staples."

It appears that the only putty Mitch researched was the so-called art putty he used to hang posters in his dorm room. And speaking of dorm rooms, Land went on to explain that,

"Spackle often replaces drywall compounds and provides a resurfacing suitable for painting and filling holes in walls."

Which ain't true, since spackle isn't intended for use over large areas like joint compound. Well, filling the nail holes in your dorm room walls, maybe... It starts getting really funny when Mitchell (a theater major) tries to spout chemical formulae:

"Many putties contain silicone and other chemical compounds like platinum catalysts, hydrogen polysiloxanes and combinations of plasticizers..."

...clearly bullshitting the content editors into thinking he's authoritative. We weren't fooled. We also weren't fooled when Mitch (incorrectly) told us that,

"Putty is used to fill holes in walls and correct peeling and chips in paint..."

No, Mitch, spackle is used to fill holes in walls. As for the paint business, that's just a variety of the stuff that's also known as "patching and spackling compound"! Finally, Land trumpets this warning:

"Spackle should not be used on drywall joints, as the movement may cause the spackle to split apart or fracture."

Tell us, oh Dumbass of the Day, how joint compound bends with the movement of the drywall... or better yet, where you've seen drywall move? Sheesh: what a maroon.

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