How to Fix 5 Common Paint Problems Yourself

Drips, brush marks, and stains… oh my! After putting in the time, effort, and sweat into painting your walls, it’s a huge disappointment to come face to face with painting mistakes. What to do? You could always hang a picture or move the furniture to cover these common painting mistakes… or you could do the right thing and fix them — the correct way. Read on to learn how to fix some of the most common painting mistakes we see.

How to Remove Drips from Paint

To avoid drips in the first place, make sure you don’t overload your paintbrush as you paint. But if you end up with drips, follow these steps.

1. With a scraper, carefully scrape the paint drips.
2. Sand the area until it’s smooth.
3. Repaint the area.

How to Get Rid of Brush Marks

Brush marks often show up on natural wood finishes. They can also be caused by overloading your paintbrush or using poor painting techniques. Get rid of them with these steps:

1. Sand the area with a machine sander.
2. Repaint the area.

How to Remove a Stain on Your Painted Wall

If you don’t properly prime before painting, it’s possible for stains to show through your paint job. And once you notice the stain, you’ll never be able to ignore it! Fortunately, taking care of the problem isn’t difficult:

1. Using TSP, clean the area thoroughly.
2. Let dry completely.
3. Apply an oil-based undercoat over the stain.
4. Once the undercoat is dry, repaint.

What to Do with Flaking Paint

Flaking paint happens over time as moisture finds its way under your painted surface. But it can also happen when you apply paint to a damp surface. Fix flaking paint by following these steps:

1. Use a paint scraper or wire brush to remove the flaking paint.
2. Sand the area. Start with a coarse abrasive, and finish the sanding with a fine abrasive.
3. Work hard to smooth the edges between the painted and scraped areas. Otherwise, the new coat of paint will highlight those lines.
4. Prime the area.
5. Repaint.

How to Get Rid of Mildew on Painted Walls

You’ll often find mildew in bathrooms and kitchens because moisture tends to be a constant occurrence in those rooms. Take care of the problem with these steps:

1. Wearing protective eye-wear, gloves, and clothing, wash the area with TSP, water, bleach, and a stiff brush. Read the TSP label for safety precautions, and be aware that TSP can damage finished wood and metal. 
2. Go bottom to top so you don’t stain the surface.
3. Let the wall dry for at least two days.
4. Prime with a primer that contains mildew protection.
5. Repaint with two coats of paint.

Avoid Common Paint Problems in the First Place

You can avoid many of these common paint problems by properly preparing the surfaces to be painted. In addition, use high-quality primer and paint. Be prepared — letting parts of the wall dry before you complete the wall will lead to uneven appearances and lap bands. Don’t begin painting unless you can commit to finishing the wall. 

For a truly professional, error-free paint job in California’s Central Coast, call New Life Painting at (805) 937-9836, or contact us online for a free estimate.