How to Fix the Botchy Painting of an Interior Wall

A blotchy spot on a newly painted wall may be due to more than just the type of paint used or a sloppy paint job. An uneven area of drywall, such as a wall patch or filled cracks, may be the culprit and can leave a noticeably discolored area behind after the paint has dried. To fix paint irregularities on a wall, thorough and proper preparation are critical prior to painting, as well as using a specific paint application technique.

Drop cloth
Painter's tape
Interior wall primer
Interior flat wall paint
Paintbrush
Nap roller – 3/8 inch or ½ inch
Roller extender
Paint tray

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare the space. Use cloth drop cloths to protect the floor from any spills or paint splatters and adhere painter's tape securely to all trim work.
- 2
  Apply primer to all drywall patches, filled cracks and holes, or the entire surface if the whole wall is blotchy. Primer will seal the surface and prevent uneven absorption of the paint. Use a 3/8-inch nap roller for smooth walls or a ½-inch nap roller for textured walls to apply primer directly to the uneven drywall. Feather the edges outward with the roller to avoid a heavy paint line.
- 3
  Paint the corners and around the trim with a brush, then immediately follow with a 3-inch roller to cover blotchiness. Roll the paint out as close as possible to the trim before it dries. Finish working in one area before moving on to the next.
- 4
  Roll the full height of the wall. To avoid uneven paint coverage and lap marks, use a paint roller attached to an extender to roll the entire height of the wall. Always keep the edge of the paint wet.

Tips on Painting Over Dark Green Walls

What Is Low VOC Paint?

Paint & Wallpaper