How to Fix 18 Painting Mistakes on Walls
You went to a lot of time and expense trying to achieve a perfect finish when you painted your walls. And now that the paint has dried, you notice drips, streaks, or other problems that ruin the finish. How frustrating and disappointing!
If you want to know how to fix a paint job gone wrong, we can help. The good news is that many painting mistakes are repairable. Our guide explains how to fix painting mistakes on walls so that you'll end up with a finish you're proud of.
But if you're just not up to the repair task, Singletrack Painting can step in and resolve the problem for you. With our services, your walls will sport a flawless paint finish that's beautiful and durable.
Expert Solutions for 18 Painting Mistakes
If your painting technique, skill level, or lack of experience resulted in a disappointing outcome, learn how to repair paint mistakes from walls with our expert solutions.
Drips and Runs
Too much paint on your brush or roller will cause drips.
Scrape the raised area of the drip.
Sand so the surrounding area is completely smooth.
Re-prime and re-paint, making sure you feather the new paint into the old.
Brush Marks
It's important to use the right brush and brushing technique. Check YouTube videos to learn the best techniques for brushing paint on walls.
Sand away brush marks using 220 grit sandpaper so the entire area is completely smooth.
Wipe away all sanding dust with a damp rag and allow the area to thoroughly dry.
Apply a fresh coat of paint following your newly learned brush techniques.
Roller Marks/Edges
Uneven pressure is the most common cause of roller marks and noticeable edge marks. But cheap, poor-quality rollers can also cause roller marks.
Sand away any raised marks, clean off the dust, then use a high-quality roller and apply a fresh coat of paint with even pressure.
Uneven Coverage
Uneven coverage is often due to skipping the primer step.
Primer is necessary in order to even out the subsurface before painting.
For best coverage: apply primer, apply the first coat of paint, sand, clean the wall, and apply the second coat of paint.
It's essential to allow each step to dry thoroughly.
A tinted primer can be used for optimum coverage.
Blotchy Paint
Cheap paint or amateurish techniques are common causes of a blotchy finish.
Use a high-quality primer and paint, especially when painting over a dark wall.
Sand and then apply several coats to avoid a blotchy finish.
Paint Bleeding Under Tape
Apply the tape at your transition and press it down with your finger.
Seal the edge using the tape caulking method. This is the most important step. Any standard white or clear acrylic painters caulking will work for this. Apply a thin bead at the transition.
Smear the bead with your finger then wipe it clean with a wet rag. The leftover caulking should be barely visible over the top of the taped edge.
Paint onto the tape at the transition but not beyond it while the caulking is still wet.
Pull the tape before the caulking and paint have dried in order to prevent bridging or tearing.
Patchy Paint on Walls
If the paint isn't allowed to dry before applying the second coat, or the wall hasn't been evenly sanded, the finish can be patchy.
Here's how to fix patchy paint on walls: be sure to prep walls like the pros do and follow the manufacturer's directions for paint drying times.
Sticking Doors and Windows
When old paint isn't removed the new paint will create too thick a layer for doors and windows to close properly.
Before painting, scrape and sand down the old paint.
Use a thin coat when repainting.
Peeling Paint
High humidity or moisture on the subsurface can cause paint to peel.
Only paint when humidity levels range between 40 to 50% and repair any leaking plumbing before painting.
You can't paint over chipped paint so be sure to scrape, sand, and prime before repainting.
Follow a more detailed peeling guide for comprehensive advice.
As you learn how to fix paint mistakes on ceilings, realize they're often caused by moisture. Solve the moisture problem before repainting.
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Chalking
Chalking is caused by one of the ingredients in the paint formula breaking down.
Cheap paint can chalk when it dries.
Chalking is common in coastal areas where salt air breaks down the paint.
Thoroughly clean the wall surface with a mild solution, rinse well, and allow it to dry completely.
Use a durable, high-quality exterior paint if chalking occurs on your outside walls.
Exterior painting services can quickly repair chalking and restore the surface.
Wrinkling Paint
Applying thick coats of paint or applying the second coat before the first coat has properly dried will cause wrinkling.
Sand down the wrinkles, clean the wall, and repaint with adequate drying time between coats.
Cracking or Flaking
Old, dried out paint can eventually crack, and low-humidity environments can cause paint to crack.
Old paint should be scraped and sanded before applying a fresh coat of high-quality paint.
Controlling the humidity with your home can help keep paint from cracking.
Paint Not Sticking to Trim
When paint doesn't stick, it's usually because of improper prep or applying the wrong kind of paint.
Clean off dirt, debris, grease, and peeling paint before applying new. Sand to create a surface paint will adhere to.
As long as you're repainting your trim, pay attention to choosing the color of your trim to maximize a beautiful end result.
Messy Paint Edges
Learn how to fix messy paint edges by sanding where necessary then applying painters tape as described in #6 above.
Be sure you're using the appropriate brush for edging.
Paint Bubbles or Blistering
Painting in direct sunlight or over a moist subsurface will result in bubbling.
To fix paint bubbling, first scrape away the bubbles, sand, the surface, clean the area, let it dry properly and then repaint.
Stains Bleeding Through Paint
Marker, crayon, mold, and other stubborn substances can bleed through paint.
Use a stain-blocking primer before repainting. Oil and Shellac based primers are best for this problem.
Visible Roller/Brush Marks After Drying
Your brushing and rolling technique affects the final look of a painted finish.
Always brush or roll in one direction.
Sand the wall lightly to remove visible marks, then repaint using pro painting techniques.
Color Doesn't Match the Sample
Paint chips are printed not painted, giving them a different appearance from a painted surface.
Always test by painting a large swatch of paint on a board. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly then move the board around the room into shadow and sunlight to see the effect of light on the paint.
Try painting another coat of color to see if the paint is a closer match to your sample.
Refresh Your Walls with Singletrack Painting
DIY painting projects can be super satisfying when you end up with a great result. But painting requires experience and skill so many DIYers end up disappointed with their work.
Luckily, now you know how to fix painting mistakes. However, if you're too busy or not up to the task of fixing your goofs, Singletrack Painting will be there for you. We have the expertise and experience to fix just about any painting mistake.
And if you want a flawless finish from the start, Singletrack Painting is your go-to for expert workmanship and quality customer service. We ensure a perfect paint job that will enhance your home's beauty and value. Reach out to Singletrack today!
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