How to Touch Up Interior Paint
When a home accident causes blemishes to your interior painted walls, your first instinct may be to repaint the entire wall or room. However, most dents, holes and scratches can be repaired and touched up with paint, which is a simpler and more cost effective project than repainting.
- Examine the size of the area that needs a touch up. If the area is large, measuring more than 3 feet by 3 feet, consider repainting the entire wall.
- Find out if you still have matching paint. If so, mix the paint thoroughly using a wooden paint stirrer. Otherwise, visit your hardware store to purchase paint in the exact color as the wall. Bring the lid from the original paint can or a saved paint chip to ensure the colors match.
- Repair any scratches, dents or blemishes. Apply Spackle to the wall, and then allow the product to dry. Sand the repaired area using medium-grit sandpaper. Once the area is even with the rest of the wall, sand with fine-grit sandpaper. Clean up the dust from sanding, using a tack cloth to remove fine dust particles.
- Prime the area using the same type of primer used when the wall was originally painted. Allow the primer to dry thoroughly, at least four hours, before proceeding.
- Protect the floor and furniture using drop cloths or tarps. Pour the paint into a paint tray.
- Paint using the same method used when the wall was originally painted. Using an identical applicator, such as a roller, paint sprayer or paintbrush, will allow the touch up area to blend in with the rest of the wall.
- Apply a second or third coat as necessary to match the intensity of the original wall color.