Touching up interior or exterior paint after patching can be tricky, even if you use the same paint that was originally put on the wall. The patch may not exactly match the original surface texture, it may not have been primed, or it may not have been properly applied. In addition, low quality paint, especially if it's a dark color, doesn't tend to touch up very well. Sometimes the only solution is to repaint the whole wall, but there are several professional tricks you can try first.
Instructions
1. Sand drywall patches smooth and flush with the surface, even if you're going to texture it. Use a sanding pad or drywall sander.
2. Match the texture. If the existing texture was sprayed, such as acoustic or popcorn ceiling texture, orange peel or knock-down, buy a can of texture spray at a paint or hardware store. These allow you to match the texture perfectly.
3. Prime the patch. Use a water-based primer for drywall and spackle. Use either acrylic or oil-based exterior primer for exterior patches.
4. Use the same paint that was used for the original surface. If you don't have any stored, buy the same brand, color and sheen from the paint store. If you don't know what the original paint is, bring a sample--a small piece of the damaged wall, a piece of trim--to a good paint store and ask them to match it. It's unlikely they will be able to match if perfectly, but they should be able to come very close.
5. Thin the paint with up to 25 percent water or solvent. Stir it well.
6. Apply the touch-up paint using the same method that was originally used: if the wall was rolled, use a roller; if it's brushed trim, use a brush. If the surface was originally sprayed, either use a sprayer or a roller with a 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch nap.
7. Paint two coats of the paint. Feather it out at the edges using a light touch to avoid making lines or margins where the new paint ends.
8. Wait for at least 24 hours to let the paint dry completely. If you can still see a clear difference between the existing surface and the touch up, paint the whole area. If it's a wall, paint from one corner to the other. When painting trim, paint an entire section, such as from one joint to another.
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