How To Touch Up Paint On Walls

You’ll need to start by assessing the damage and making a plan of what you’d like to repair. Start by examining the wall closely and check for common issues you wish to address. These can include:

• Scuff marks

• Small chips, cracks or scratches

• Stains or discolouring

• Nail or screw holes

• Dents 

• Peeling, flaking or bubbling paint

Different types of damage require different preparation methods for a seamless finish.

You’ll also need to check the paint finish (matte, satin, gloss, eggshell) and whether the surrounding paint has discoloured over time.

Matching the paint

It’s essential that the paint matches, as even a slightly different shade can stand out. If the original paint is available, you’ll be able to use this, but you’ll need to mix it thoroughly to ensure the pigments blend again (especially if it has been left for some time).

If not, you’ll need to take a physical sample to be colour matched. A photo won’t suffice, so you’ll need to scrape a small section off the wall to ensure you get the perfect colour match.

Caution: as colour oxides over time, even a like-for-like match can look brighter against the wall, in which case you may need to feather out further or repaint a larger section.

Once you have taken the appropriate preparation steps, you’ll be ready to start the job.

Step 1. Clean the area

Even a small amount of dust or grease can make fresh paint look darker, so you need to ensure the area is thoroughly cleaned before application. 

Mix a small drop of washing up liquid and warm water into a bucket, and apply directly to the wall. Make sure to use circular motions and don’t apply too much pressure to avoid the paint flaking. For greasy spots (especially if you’re cleaning a kitchen wall), use a degreaser or sugar soap. For mould, use white vinegar or mould remover and then rinse thoroughly. 

It’s important to allow the wall to completely dry (for at least an hour) before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2. Repairing the wall

Surface preparation will determine how smooth your result will be, and depends on the extent of damage on the wall. 

Filling - use lightweight filler to pack any holes or cracks. Apply thin, sparing layers to ensure an even, flush finish.

Sanding - use fine-grit sandpaper (120-180 grit) to lightly sand the wall. Use circular motions and focus on flattening the repair and blending the edges. Make sure to thoroughly wipe down after sanding to avoid particles sticking to the paint.

Top tip: extend further than the repair area to prevent a visible patch outline.

Once you have repaired the wall, it’s a good idea to do a physical check to ensure you’re happy with the results. You should look at the area from different angles and lighting to check for uneven edges, raised spots or any areas you’ve missed.

At this point, you can use painters tape to cover any light switches or trims that paint may touch.

Step 3. Priming the wall

Primer isn’t always needed for a paint touch up, so you can skip this step if it’s not required. However, priming a wall can make a huge difference if the area is discoloured or you’ve used filler beforehand. Without the use of primer, patched areas may look dull or darker. Using a small paint brush (or roller), apply directly to the wall ensuring you only add to the required spot. Once painted, you need to leave it to dry for a good few hours before repainting. 

Step 4. Paint application

Using a small paint brush or mini roller, apply a thin coat to the wall. Start from the centre of the repair and slowly feather out using light pressure on the edges. Make sure the area is fully covered by pushing your roller in different directions - the aim is to mimic not only the colour, but also the texture of the wall. Be sure not to overload your brush or roller as less paint helps with blending. 

When you’re happy that the wall is fully covered, leave the paint to dry for a few hours (depending on paint type and manufacturer's instructions). For further guidance, you can read our guide on how long paint takes to dry. 

Paint often dries lighter or darker after original application, so allowing it to fully dry will help you determine if you need a second coat. After this time, you can apply another thin coat if needed.

What to do if your touch up paint is still showing

If the area looks a different colour or appears unblended when fully dry, it may be best to try repainting a larger section (or the whole wall) instead. Although this may be time-consuming, in the long run you’ll be pleased that the touch up isn’t noticeable. 

If you don’t want to proceed down this route, then continue to ‘feather out’ the paint to try and blend it into the old paint - as before, always ensure only small amounts of paint are used. If in doubt, you can always call out a professional painter to help perfect the job.