How to Fix Paint Drips on Walls

You've just finished painting your walls and stand back to appreciate your handiwork. Oh no!
Where did those ugly drips come from? You no doubt were hoping to achieve a flawless paint finish and it can be so frustrating to notice problems after the paint has dried. What can you do?

Before you start your next paint project, you're probably anxious to know how to avoid paint drips and how to go about fixing them if they do happen. Paint drips are a fairly common problem homeowners face when working on DIY painting projects. But they are fixable when you use the right tips and techniques. 

This guide will help you learn how to fix paint drips. We'll also share expert prevention techniques and when you'll need to call in professionals to remedy the problem. Singletrack Painting provides an array of services that can efficiently rectify painting mishaps. Consult our services to see how Singletrack can create a flawless finish on your walls, trim, cabinets, and more.

How Do Paint Drips and Runs Happen?

Obviously paint will run and drip when you have too much paint on your brush or roller, or when the paint is too diluted. Cheap paint often has a runny consistency that's hard to control and results in runs and drips. Many DIYers wonder whether expensive paint is worth it. Yes – it absolutely is worth paying more for quality paint. To name but a few of the benefits – you'll get better coverage requiring fewer coats, more durability, and longer lifespan from more expensive paint. 

You may be so busy painting that you may not even notice the drips and runs. But it's important to deal with drips right away, while the paint is still wet. You can try brushing out the drips with a few brushstrokes, but if the paint has become tacky, you'll only make the problem worse.

If you feel you can't eliminate the drips and runs on your own, call on Singletrack Painting. We can address the problem right away and ensure a perfect paint finish.

How to Fix Paint Drips on Walls: A Step-by-Step Guide

You'll follow different steps for fixing drips that are still wet versus dried drips. Of course your best bet is prevention, so learning pro brush and rolling techniques will save you a lot of frustration. But for now, let's address fixing painting mistakes on walls and how to fix dried paint drips on walls:

Gather Your Materials and Supplies

Pro painters have everything ready to go before they start work. It's inefficient to stop work and have to go searching for a tool or product before you can continue. You'll need a putty knife or scraper blade, 120-150 grit sandpaper, clean rag, quality primer and paint, and a brush and roller. Optionally, you may need spackle if you've gouged the surface while fixing paint drips on walls. 

Sand

Be sure the drip or run is completely dry before sanding, otherwise you'll create more problems. Gently sand the drip down to the surface of the surrounding paint. 

Scrape

If the drip or run is thick or large, it will be better to scrape it away. Then lightly sand the area down to the surface of the surrounding paint.

Spackle if Necessary

If you were able to sand and/or scrape down the run or drip, you won't need this step. But if you created gouges in the wall, you'll need to apply spackle. Let the spackle dry thoroughly, then sand it down to the surrounding surface.

Clean Away All Dust

Use a clean, slightly damp rag to remove all sanding dust on the wall. Allow the area to dry completely.

Prime

If your paint doesn't include a primer, you'll want to prime the repair before painting, especially if you had used spackle.

Paint

You'll want to match the finish of the wall. Use a brush to feather in the paint over the repair. You may need more than 1 coat. If the wall was initially rolled, after brushing, then roll the paint in the same direction you used originally. Blend by feathering the roller from the repair out to the surrounding area.

It can be a bit tricky to master how to remove paint runs and get the repaired color to match the rest of the wall, so start with small amounts of paint on your brush and roller. Allow each coat to dry completely until you've matched the surrounding color. If you need professional advice or help, Singletrack Painting has the skill to repair drips and match the existing wall color accurately.

Expert Painters Just a Click Away – Get a Quote from Singletrack Painting Today!

Preventing Paint Drips: Techniques and Tips

Painting experience can make or break the outcome of your paint job. Follow these tips and techniques for a pro finish:

• The amount of paint you load on your brush and roller makes all the difference between a pro finish and having to repair mistakes like drips and drips. If you don't have much brushing or rolling experience, take a look at YouTube videos for rolling and brushing tips and tricks that will save you loads of frustration.

• Don't rush. Take time to stir your paint thoroughly so that all of the resins, pigments, solvents, and additives blend. 

• Keep an eye on drips as you go. Don't wait until you've finished a wall to check your work.

• Use high quality, clean, dry brushes and rollers.

• Make sure the room is well-ventilated and has good lighting so you can see all surfaces.  

• Nothing substitutes for high quality paint and good tools for achieving a professional finish. 

Singletrack Painting can advise you on the best painting techniques for your walls, especially for textured or brick walls that require specialized techniques. We're also more than happy to share our expertise in helping you select the best paints and products for your particular job. 

When to Call in the Professionals

Understanding the tips and tricks to repairing paint drips and runs is one thing - but the execution is another. Pro painters can step in and make repairs quickly and expertly, then follow up with a beautiful professional paint finish. Here are some scenarios where residential painting services can definitely help:

• Lack of Experience – If you're not an experienced painter in the first place, making successful repairs is going to be challenging. It takes practice to master how to fix paint runs after drying.

• Big Project – The project is bigger than you anticipated. Even though you may be an eager DIYer, you were expecting the job to be finished as you were washing your brushes. But now the additional work of repairing paint drips and runs is beyond your scope, energy, or ability.

• Want a Quality Paint Finish – You had a painting goal in mind but don't have the confidence to achieve the quality finish you were hoping for.

• Matching Color – You don't think you can match the repair color to the rest of the wall.

Singletrack Painting is dedicated to customer satisfaction. Our tailored approach to each project ensures every wall is painted to perfection!

Singletrack Painting: Your Solution to Painting Perfection

Want a perfect paint job but don't know how to achieve it? Singletrack Painting's comprehensive range of services will ensure a long-lasting, durable, and beautiful result that you'll love. From start to finish, we're pros at prepping and repairing painting mistakes to executing flawless paint jobs.

If your DIY paint job is plagued with drips, runs, or uneven paint surfaces, Singletrack can quickly solve those problems for you. We use professional techniques, best practices, and quality workmanship to ensure a pristine surface with every paint job. We're here to help. Get in touch today!

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