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Chipped paint on the wall can be an eyesore. That’s why every homeowner should know how to fix chipped paint on the wall.
If you’ve got chipped paint from house paint that is from before the 1970s, you’ll want to test the paint chip for lead.
Fortunately, the solution to fix chipped paint is relatively simple and doesn’t require a professional to do the job. Today, we will talk about the most common causes of paint chips and how to fix this common issue yourself.
What You’ll Need
To finish this wall repair job, you will need the following materials and tools:
Fine-grit sandpaper
Putty knife
Primer
Paintbrush and/or paint roller
Wire brush
Paint scraper
Drywall patching compound
Painter’s tape
Paint
Tarp
How to Fix Chipped Paint on Walls in 7 Simple Steps
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Match the Paint
First things first, if you don’t want to redo the entire wall, you’ll want to get your paint matched. Use a putty knife to remove a piece of the paint. Take this piece to a local home hardware store. They can often match your paint. Some stores sell sample size cans for trial, that can be just enough for fixing a chipped area. However, not every store offers sample cans and you may have to buy a full can instead.
Once you’ve got the right paint can, you need to secure the area you’re going to paint. This will ensure that your flooring and surrounding area are protected from stains and paint.
Based on the type of paint and the size of your room, you should place an appropriate tarp or plastic drop cloth. It will catch paint stains and thus protect your floor.
You may also cover your floors with old cardboard, pieces of heavy canvas, or newspapers. This can help you paint your room without making a mess. Aside from that, you’ll also want to cover light switches, crown molding, and outlets using painter’s tape. The surrounding trim areas like baseboards should be taped off beforehand.
It is also a good idea to remove any finishing, rugs, and pieces of furniture from your workplace. Once you’ve secured the painting area, you can begin to work on the wall.
Step 2: Scrape Away Paint Chips
Remove any cracked, peeling, or bubbled paint from the wall with fine-grit sandpaper, scraper, or putty knife. A wire brush will come in handy for fine paint flakes. In addition, use a water-dampened rag to remove any debris or dust from the affected area.
The goal is to get a perfectly flat and ‘healthy’ surface. That said, take off any paint that is likely to come away from your wall or form unwanted texture. Otherwise, new paint will come off after a while and your repair won’t be effective either.
TIP: Be sure not to create more texture than needed when scraping off loose or peeling paint. Do not apply a lot of pressure to prevent digging too deep into your drywall and damaging the underlying surface.
Step 3: Apply Patching Compound
Repair the holes you made by applying a thin layer of spackle or another patching material. Still, it needs to be thick enough to get the holes covered. Make sure it matches the surrounding surface of the wall.
Use a putty knife for this purpose. This useful tool can help you line the spackle up with the wall angle. Allow the patching compound to dry before sanding the patched area.
Step 4: Create a Smooth Surface Using Sandpaper
Once the wall gets dry thoroughly, sand the patched area with 220-grit sandpaper until it’s perfectly smooth. Use gentle pressure while applying the sandpaper, making circular movements with your hand.
The spackle texture should be filed down to ensure that there are no raised bumps, lines or grooves on the wall surface. Your wall must not have any inconsistencies.
To make sure the paint area is smooth and even with the surface that surrounds it, professional plasterers periodically run their hands over the patched surface. So do it whenever you’re smoothing the area down.
TIP: If the patching compound shrinks for some reason, clean and sand the area lightly before applying extra layers.
Step 5: Wipe the Area Clean
The area must be absolutely clean so that the new layer of paint adheres properly. Wipe it off with a lightly damp sponge or a clean tack cloth.
Any final debris or dust must be removed from your finished repair. Once done, leave it to dry completely.
TIP: If you have to retexture the wall, pick a finish that blends in perfectly with the existing surface. Keep in mind that textured wall/ceiling patch kits come in powder and aerosol forms. Choose one that best suits your wall.
Step 6: Prime the Wall
If the cause of chipped paint was moisture, then it is critical to prevent the same problem from appearing on newly painted walls. This is especially important for large areas with a lot of paint chips. However, if you’re dealing with a smaller area with just a few paint chips, this step can be skipped.
With that said, add primer to the repaired area before painting the wall if necessary. That will make it easier for the fresh paint to stick to your wall besides protecting it against moisture by sealing the surface. After covering the area with primer, allow it to dry.
Step 7: Paint the Wall
Did you fix paint chips and repair your wall as described above? Great! It’s now prepared for painting. Here’s how to do it correctly:
- Over the prepared area, apply the coat uniformly using either a paintbrush or paint roller.
- Make sure the color is distributed evenly till you reach the proper amount of coating. It should be similar or exactly the same to the color used previously for the best results.
- Allow it to dry. It may take a couple of hours. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Once the first layer is dry completely, you may need to apply another coat of paint if needed. Allow it to dry too.
- Remove the painter’s tape as well as the tarp, drop cloth, heavy canvas, or whatever you used to cover your floors.
The wall repair project is completed! Now you and your family will be able to enjoy the smooth, fresh surface. Say goodbye to unsightly paint chips!
What Are Paint Chips and Why Do They Occur on Walls?
A paint chip is a term used to indicate the portion of the paint that is peeling off from the wall, door, window, or any surface. One of the most common causes of chipped paint is moisture.
When moisture reaches the inside of the paint, it reacts with the polymers which are used for curing the paint. As a result, the paint starts to peel off from the wall, forming paint chips on the surface.
FAQs
Can I Paint Over Chipped Paint?
Yes, you can. But remember that this will only work if the peeling area has stable edges provided that chipping or peeling paint is in a small area. Brush it off and prime the wall before painting.
How to Fix Chipped Paint on Wall Without Paint?
Remove all the paint chips (raised sections) with sandpaper and smooth that area. Fill in nicks, holes, and scratches on the wall using a spackling compound. This compound can easily be applied to the wall dents with a putty knife.
Takeaway
Paint chips are something that you can easily fix yourself without hiring a house painter or plasterer. All you need to do is follow these simple tips on how to fix chipped paint on the wall. That’s a no-brainer.
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