Touching up paint that was sprayed on can be challenging. You have the color, sheen, and shade that all need to blend together to create a smooth surface. Paint accidents are common, especially when you are re-coating a surface. So, how exactly do we touch up paint? We have researched the answers for you.
When you accidentally make a mistake on a paint job, don't touch it any further until it dries off.
- Wait overnight to let the paint cure. It can sometimes show a different result versus when you first applied it.
- Grab a rough sponge like a Scotch Brite to erase the faulty paint. This will act almost like sandpaper.
- Run your fingers on the surface and make sure it is smooth. This will ensure that the second paint job will not have ridges.
- Wipe clean any scuffed dust with a cotton cloth.
- Spray a light layer of paint, and allow it to dry completely.
- Sand it a second time with your Scotch Brite pad, but do it lightly and in one direction only.
- Spray the final coat of color. Keep the layers light until you get the coverage and shade you want.
The key to having a smooth paint job is to keep your handiwork light and to have patience when committing these mistakes. The more you try to salvage a ruined paint job, what happens often is you damage it further. To learn more about repainting techniques, keep reading below!
How to Touch Up Paint on Surfaces
If you have toddlers or pets in the house, your walls and other surfaces can have more visible wear and tear. You can call a professional painter, but doing it yourself is possible and can save you more money.
Touching up paint on surfaces can be difficult since you have the texture, paint direction, color, and shades to perfectly match the rest of the wall. Here is how you can paint the surface seamlessly.
Get a high-quality paint
Purchasing a minimum of mid-grade paint can repair your surface better than low-cost paints. They are also better at holding up and are harder to chip away, saving you more time and effort.
For better results, try to purchase the same brand, color, and finish as the one you are repairing. Just because it is a small repair job does not mean you should settle for something lower-cost.
Read: "How Much Does A Pint of Paint Cover?"
See this high-quality paint on Amazon.
Mix the paint with the same color in a container
If you have a bigger spot to repair and need two or more gallons of paint, don't forget to mix them together in a large tub. This will make the colors blend together more efficiently, eliminating the risk of having the slightest difference.
Match the Texture
The texture depends heavily on the brush type, the stroke, and even the roller size. The thickness of the roller cover contributes to the general texture of the paint, so it is best to have roller covers of different sizes to get the texture right.
Remember that roller covers are directional, meaning the texture will change if you roll it in the opposite direction. If you roll it backward, the texture difference will be glaringly obvious. Keep painting in a singular direction if you want to keep the texture seamless.
Match the brush technique
The brush technique matters just as much as the quality of the paintbrush. The bristles should be even, and they should be coated with paint to avoid empty spots.
Professionals apply the tipping-off technique to make a smoother, more even paint job. This technique includes applying a final, pressure-free roll of paint in a single direction after completing the patch-up.
For old surfaces, you should thin down your paint with 5-10% water to make the surface match and have no noticeable edges.
Prime the surface for adhesion
Since you have also primed the older paint, you should do the same with the newer one. This will make the repair more inconspicuous since the smoothness will blend together and make it good as new.
Primers will also make the paint job stick better and make it last for a longer time. This is especially ideal if you have rowdy pets or toddlers in the vicinity.
Create small marks and test the new paint
For smaller patches, you can create small marks with your fingernails and try to spot those with the newer paint. Wait for a while until it dries and observe if it matches the rest of the paint smoothly.
Stipple the brush on larger spots
The stippling technique includes lightly painting the edges softly from the inside out. This is perfect for small-scale painting touch-ups since it blends the edges, hiding the repair.
Stippling is originally a technique created for gradient painting, with rich colors mixing into one another to form one seamless color scheme.
How to Prevent Paint from Peeling
Paint often falls off because of too much moisture. Humidity, water damage, and incompatible paint material all play a major part in why paint peels from your walls.
Physical obstructions such as kids peeling off the paint deliberately as well as accidental encounters with sharp furniture also cause paint to chip or peel. Fortunately, there are ways we can prevent this from happening.
Control your indoor humidity
Invest in a dehumidifier if you live in a humid area. Humidity can cause the paint to melt off or lose strength, especially if it is oil-based paint.
When you notice bulges on your walls, this is an indication that your surface is receiving too much moisture. It will not matter if you consistently repaint it; it will continue to peel until you get to the root of the problem.
If dehumidifiers are not available, use moisture absorbers or air purifiers. These should reduce the amount of moisture in the air and effectively protect your walls.
Fix the insulation
Fixing the insulation is another way of maintaining not only your indoor climate but your painted surfaces too. Condensation, which is a result of an improperly-insulated area, can damage your walls and can form splotches on them.
When the exterior walls become cold, they form water droplets that can seep into the paint. Test the insulation in your house first before committing to another painting touch-up since it could be a waste of effort unless you address the cause of peeling.
Use the correct primer
The primer makes the paint stick to the surface. A low-quality or incompatible primer will only make the touch-up useless since it will only make the paint inevitably peel off.
Primers also seal off any stains that might have been left through condensation. It restores the surface and makes the paint last for a long time. Primers keep your investment and maintain the appeal of your walls.
Be sure the surface had been cleaned
Dirt and debris will prevent the paint and primer from taking effect. Be sure to clean up the surface so there will be no ridges or sharp edges when you touch it up.
Be careful with relocating furniture
Physical abrasions that come from sharp furniture can peel off the paint. Make sure that the edges do not scrape the walls; otherwise, it will render your paint job useless. A strong primer can prevent this, but it can only hold so much against hard furniture.
How to Fix Peeling Paint on Walls
When the damage is done, there are ways to still make your wall surface good as new. Here is how to fix peeling paint on walls.
For the touch-up, you will need the following:
- Putty knife
- Paint scraper
- Sander/Scotch Brite or fine-grit paper
- Paintbrush
- High-quality paint
- Primer
- Wood filler (if applicable)
Restoring peeled paint should be simple enough once you have the right materials.
- Scrape the peeling paint and the damaged section
- Brush away dirt and debris
- Lather patching material on the surface with a putty knife
- Sand the area to make the primer stick
- Apply the primer
- Apply your high-quality latex paint
- Let dry, and add a second coat.
To maintain the touch-up, make sure your indoor climate is ideal, and there is not too much moisture entering the home.
Read: "How Long Should Paint Dry Before Taping?"
Final Thoughts
Touching up paint depends on what kind of surface needs touching-up, what damage was done, and how you can best make the paint job blend with the previous one. As with any home project, maintenance is key to making the paint last a long time.