Drywall corners are vulnerable to getting banged and bruised by traffic through a house. Beneath the joint compound that covers and finishes the corner is a length of lightweight metal “corner bead” with either a right-angle or curved profile. The object is to straighten out this dented piece of metal and re-cover it with drywall compound. Here’s how to do it:

1) Use a utility knife to cut away loose drywall compound from the damaged area.

2) Reshape the dented corner bead. To sculpt flattened or bent areas, gently pound a bolt or an upside-down nailset with a hammer.

3) Tack down one edge of the loose metal with drywall nails.

4) Using a putty knife, remove all loose existing joint compound.

5) Tack down the other edge of the metal corner bead.

6) Using a 6-inch-wide drywall knife, fill one side of the corner and draw it out so that it’s smooth. Allow the compound to dry.

7) Fill the corner’s other side and allow to dry.

8) Gently sand with fine sandpaper wrapped around a block. Fill with a second coat if necessary and sand again.