[Octoruss]

Ok, I come from the US, where most interior walls are drywall. To hang a picture, you simply bang a nail in and *voila* -- you're done.

Here in HK however, all the interior walls seem to be made of concrete, which require special 4-nail hangars to hang even a simple picture. That's fine....but when I just tried to pull one of the hangars out, it left a large divot the size of a HK$10 coin.

In the US, I'd simply buy some spackle and paint over the hole. But what does one use to patch a hole in concrete? Spackle? If so, where does one buy that stuff and what is it called here?

[discobay]

If you are in Wanchai you could go down that street (sorry can't remember the name) next to Fortress on Johnston Road. It's either the street before or after Fortress and it has loads of shops selling decorating gear. I bought some filler there to patch up holes in my office walls then painted over them.

[Laughing_Monkey]

Concrete is strong but brittle. Sometimes its easier to just drill a hole, add a raw plug, add a screw and voila...

[dropdedfwed]

Originally Posted by Laughing_Monkey

Concrete is strong but brittle. Sometimes its easier to just drill a hole, add a raw plug, add a screw and voila...

yes, but then u need an impact drill, and a masonry/concrete bit, and very deaf neighbours (or they will be afterwards). the 4 pin hooks are a PITA, but they go in easy with a few gentle taps from a hammer. i have found the only way to get them out is to try to pull the hook free of the pins (with a screw driver behind it, and great tenacity), then tap the pins all the way in.

i only know this cos i have done a "not so bad" version of what u describe... we're all wise in hindsight, tee he he...

have fun, and good luck with the patch up job

[vanilla]

the road in wanchai is called lockhart road. find a paint shop (there's plenty there) and ask for ready made plaster or fillers for wall cracks and small holes. patch up and sand down when dry. if ur wall is white and not too noticable, u may not want to waste time and money to paint it.

[Laughing_Monkey]

alternatively, stick a poster up over the hole....

[zatoichi]

Seriously, call a handyman (HSBC has an excellent list). They are cheap and work by the hour.

[KnowItAll]

Buy an impact drill .. costs $250-300 from various hardware store.

[larac]

Wellington Street in Central has all manner of homeware and hardware stores where you should be able to find what you are after.