You can’t deny that a paint chip on your perfectly painted wall is absolute torture! Dents and chips are natural if your paint has faced a few years of its life. But don’t sweat it. With a few tools and tricks, knowing how to fix paint chips on a wall is going to be a piece of cake. But here’s the catch. Knowing what to keep in mind and what to avoid will ensure that your fresh work is going to stay that way.

Why Does Paint Chip?

Before we dive into how you can make your wall look as good as new, let’s give you a heads up of why paint actually chips. That way, you can take the necessary precautions and measures. Here are two (2) things you must look out for.

Using The Wrong Paint

If you’ve decided that you want to do this project the DIY way, then knowing your types of paints is an absolute must. Before you head out to buy paint, try to find out what kind of paint was used in your home? Paints can be of two types: oil-based or latex-based (water-based).

Oil-based paints were generally used in older homes and are a cult favourite because of their durability. They mostly have a shiny finish. You’ll find these paints used in bathrooms and kitchens. What you should keep in mind is that latex paint and oil paints don’t mix. If you apply a coat of latex paint over oil, it’s bound to crack and peel off in big sheets, unless prepared and undercoated properly.

Having Extra Moisture

Check if you have any water pipes going through the wall or if the outer part of your wall is often exposed to rainwater. The frequent chipping on your walls may be due to this.

Bathroom walls also tend to chip faster because of excessive humidity.

Combat this by adding a ventilation fan and fixing any pipe leakages. In addition, use protective paints on the exterior of your home to increase the lifespan of your painted walls.

List Of Things You’ll Need

There may be many painters who have their unique techniques, but be assured we’re going with the easiest one. Make sure you have these basic painting supplies in hand before starting.

• Sandpaper
• Putty Knife
• Scraper
• Spack filler or jointing compound
• Primer (optional)
• Paintbrush
• Can of paint previously used on the wall

Step 1: Smooth Out The Edges Of The Chip

Before you begin your art, you’ll need a smooth foundation. If your paint is peeling off in large flakes, use the scraper to scrape off all the loose bits. Once there are no big flakes of loose paint left, take your sandpaper and gently buff out the chipped paint. Make sure you don’t remove more paint than required. You should be left with a smooth surface without any chipping paint.

Step 2: Fill Out The Chip

Now that you have a clean surface, take the putty/filler or wall joint compound with your putty knife and fill up the chipped part. Remember, it’s better to take a little compound at a time and build up, rather than smothering the surface with a big blob. That way, you’ll make sure you have the smoothest application possible. Use the edge of your putty knife to even out the compound along the wall as plainly as possible. Don’t worry if you can’t get it too even. We’ll take care of that in your next step.

Step 3: Wait For The Joint Compound To Dry

You’ve filled the chip and smoothed out the compound. Before you rush and grab your paint to finish the project and admire your work, wait. If you apply paint over a wet compound, your paint will crack again or look all patchy. Here, patience is key.

If you want your work to look professional, wait for at least 24 hours and check that the compound is completely dry before proceeding.

Step 5: Buff The Joint Compound With Sandpaper

We’re not done with the sandpaper yet! After your compound has dried, you’re bound to find it a little uneven along with the rest of your wall. Here, sandpaper will come to your rescue. Buff the uneven compound ever so slightly, so that the surface blends completely with the wall. Here’s a small trick. Touch the area with your fingertips. If the edges feel a little bumpy, gently sand away until it feels completely smooth.

Step 5: Add A Layer Of Primer (Optional)

Now if you want your fixed paint to be super long-lasting or the chipped area is quite large, use a primer. A layer of primer will make sure that the paint sticks well to the joint compound and the chip looks like it was never there.

Step 6: Paint The Wall

The final round is here! Pick up your paintbrush and bring out your inner artist. Make sure the type of paint you use matches with the rest of the wall. And voila! The chipped paint is all gone.

That’s all from us. Chipped paint can be an eyesore, but by following these simple steps, you don’t have to hire professionals to do the job for you. I hope this blog gave you a clear idea of how to fix paint chips.

Call us direct at Earles Paints on 07 4121 5202 for all the information you need, or visit us at Earle Paint Place Maryborough.

Have you tried fixing your walls yourself? Is there anything we missed? Let us know. Until then, ta ta