Skip to main content

Remedy your painting mistakes with these 4 quick and easy fixes

How to fix painting mistakes on walls: A complete guide

man and woman painting a room
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re updating your home with periodic remodeling projects, whether you’re updating your kitchen, renovating your bathroom, or giving your bedroom a facelift, mistakes tend to happen. Painting a room is a great start to giving it a fresh look, but there are frequently errors made when painting, particularly if you’re a newbie. We’re going to discuss 10 common painting mistakes and how to fix them in a snap.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

2 hours

What You Need

  • Paint scraper

  • Sandpaper

  • Dish soap

  • Utility knife or razor blade

  • Paint brush

  • Paint

man and woman painting a room
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Painting mistake #1: Uneven paint coverage

When a hint of the wall’s original color is peeking through your paint job in some areas, this means the coat you put up wasn’t enough to cover it. This makes the wall look splotchy and unevenly painted.

Painting mistake #2: Blistering paint

Often due to temperatures and humidity levels that aren’t ideal for paint to dry in, paint blisters, or bubbling areas, aren’t just unsightly, they’ll also lead to peeling eventually.

Painting mistake #3: Wrinkling paint

Another woe of temperature and humidity issues, thick paint that doesn’t have the opportunity to dry as quickly as needed will often result in wrinkling. The surface of the paint dries while the layer underneath is still wet, causing movement that results in a wrinkled appearance.

Painting mistake #4: Dripping paint

It’s a liquid substance, so when applied too thickly, paint will inevitably drip. This leads to lines of running paint that are visible and create an imperfect appearance.

Painting mistake #5: Splatters on carpet

Spills happen when you’re painting, which is why it’s recommended to cover floors and furniture while the project is underway. If paint gets on the carpet and dries, it can be difficult to remove.

Painting mistake #6: Drips on trim or floorboards

Whether it’s from a spill or from running paint that was applied too thickly, paint can get on the floorboards and wall trim. This makes the end result look sloppy and unprofessional.

Painting mistake #7: Ceiling spots

When you get a little too careless while painting a wall, you could mistakenly push your paint roller right up to the ceiling and leave a roller mark on it. Unless your ceiling will eventually be the same color as the wall you’re painting, this is a big problem.

Painting mistake #8: Stuck painter’s tape

Using painter’s tape is essential to protecting the areas of the wall or trim that will not be painted. However, if painter’s tape is left on too long after the paint dries, it could adhere too strongly. When you go to remove it, the tape could pull off chunks of the new paint.

Painting mistake #9: Brush or roller marks

One of the most common imperfections seen after a wall is painted is brush marks. These could be the result of a few different issues, including using too much or too little paint per stroke, using a low-quality paintbrush or roller, or not stirring paint properly before slapping it onto the wall.

Painting mistake #10: Lint, dust, or hair

It’s important to clean walls and trim before painting and also keep brushes and rollers clean and free of dust and other large particles. If debris gets into the paint or on the brush and rollers, it will get painted onto the wall and be visible once the job is finished.

16592 the best painting tapes tape
kurhan / Shutterstock

How to fix painting mistakes on walls

Now that we’ve covered the most common painting mistakes, let’s address how to fix them. While these remedies require a bit of extra work, they’re much easier than starting again from scratch.

Scrape, sand, and touch up problem spots

Some problem spots can be addressed with a paint scraper or sandpaper and a quick touch-up. This method is great for issues like:

  • Blistering paint
  • Wrinkling paint
  • Dripping paint
  • Spots on floorboards and trim
  • Brush or roller marks
  • Lint, dust, and hair

Step 1: Wait until the paint is completely dry.

Step 2: Use a paint scraper or sandpaper to scrape or rub away the imperfection.

Step 3: Wipe away any dust that the action produces.

Step 4: Be sure your paint is adequately stirred and touch up the area with a paintbrush. Take care to blend the paint properly when touching it up.

An easy cleaning method for carpet spots

If paint spills on your carpet and dries, you can probably get it out without calling a professional carpet cleaner.

Step 1: Mix hot water with dish soap in a medium sized bowl.

Step 2: Pour the mixture on the stained carpet to saturate the spot and let it sit for a few minutes. As it sits in the moisture, the dried paint will soften a bit.

Step 3: Scrape the paint off the carpet fibers with a knife or blade.

Remove stuck painter’s tape the right way

When you notice that your painter’s tape is stuck, don’t try to force it off. Instead, use a utility knife to carefully cut through the paint at the edge of the tape where it meets the wall. This will free up the tape and prevent it from pulling pieces of dried paint off with it.

If you’ve already yanked off the stuck tape and taken a chunk of dried paint with it, don’t worry. You can use the sanding method outlined previously and touch up the damaged area.

Add an additional layer of paint

For some issues, like uneven coverage or patchy areas, simply adding an additional layer of paint will solve the problem. That additional coat will make the paint more opaque and give a flawless-looking result.

Painting is a big job, but it’s one that is incredibly rewarding. While beginners in the DIY world can accomplish the task pretty easily, painting mistakes are common and can be disappointing. Instead of throwing in the towel and living with an imperfect paint job, try these remedies and get the flawless result you deserve.

Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
The most effective ways to finally fix that annoyingly squeaky door
Your home's doors shouldn't disturb your peace and quiet
Close-up of door handle with bed out of focus in the background

Walking around your home during the day, you may not notice all the creaks in the floorboards or the squeaky doors in your house. After all, the sounds of everyday life tend to drown out those small, creaking sounds.

When the house falls silent in the evening, though, that noisy door quickly turns into a downright disturbance. Opening it can possibly waking up the whole family in the middle of the night. If you’re looking for some DIY solutions and guidance to fix a bothersome, creaky door, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll walk you through how to fix a squeaky door with some quick methods and some more involved ones, all of which are effective at silencing that creaking.

Read more
Satin vs. semi-gloss paint: What’s the difference?
What is a paint sheen and how does it impact your design? Here's what you should know
Two women using paint samples on a wall

You may have heard of paint sheens or have come across some interior designers discussing gloss or matte paint finishes, but what do they mean? How do you know if satin vs. semi-gloss paint is what you need for your project? If you’re struggling to discern which paint finish is best for your situation, we’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know to help you differentiate between satin and semi-gloss paint.
What is a paint sheen?

A paint sheen determines how much light your paint reflects on a surface. High-sheen or high-gloss paints appear shinier, while low-sheen/low-gloss paints appear flatter.

Read more
How to paint over wallpaper without making the room look worse
You don't have to remove the wallpaper. Instead, save the hassle and paint over it
Small blue paint can with paint brush set on top.

Outdated or damaged wallpaper can be an eyesore. A fresh coat of paint can revitalize out-of-style rooms, but first, you have to figure out what to do about the wallpaper. Home improvement experts often advise homeowners not to paint over wallpaper — if it isn’t done right or the wallpaper is in bad condition, the results can be disastrous.

Sometimes, though, it's much easier to paint over it than it is to deal with the time-consuming process of removing it. If this is the case for you, be sure to follow a few expert tips to ensure your paint job won't look like an amateur, rushed DIY project.
Why experts recommend removing wallpaper

Read more