Patchy walls, brush marks, flashing, peeling — most paint problems trace back to a handful of causes. Here is how to fix and avoid them.
Most paint problems are not the paint's fault — they come from surface, technique or drying. The good news is that once you know the cause, they are straightforward to fix and easy to avoid next time.
Patchiness and flashing
Uneven sheen or colour usually means the surface soaked up paint unevenly, often because a porous area or filler was not sealed first. Fix it with a sealing coat or primer, then repaint. Applying enough paint and keeping a wet edge as you go also helps it lay even.
Brush and roller marks
Visible marks come from over-working the paint, a poor-quality tool, or the wrong pile depth. Load the brush or roller properly, lay the paint on and leave it rather than fussing over it, and use a finer pile on smooth surfaces.
Peeling and flaking
- A greasy or dusty surface the paint could not grip — clean before painting.
- Painting over damp, or trapping moisture behind the film — deal with the damp first.
- Skipping primer on bare or glossy surfaces — key and prime so the new coat has something to hold.
Runs and drips
Too much paint at once, especially on trim. Thinner coats and laying off properly stop them. A dried run can be sanded back and recoated.
If a job has gone wrong, describe it to us and we will help you work out the cause and the fix — and the products to get it right.
