Chipped paint is an eyesore! Do you need to repaint the whole room? Is there a way to quickly refresh the damaged area? The following are tips for fixing surfaces with chipped and/or peeling paint. 

• Determine why the paint is chipped and/or peeled so you can remedy and/or avoid the problem. Paint generally chips because of:

• • Dirty or oily walls: paint adheres best to a clean wall. 

• • No primer was used. 
  • Improper priming: the primer was not right for the conditions and/or applied unevenly or too thinly. 

• • Poor quality paint: Though high-quality paint is more expensive, it’s worth the price. 

• • Rushed painting: not enough drying time between coats. 

• • Latex paint applied over oil paint affects the quality of adherence.

• • Too much moisture: Paint adheres best to a dry surface. 

• Remove the paint and sand the area:  Lay drop cloths or tarps to protect the floor. Remove furniture from the area. Hold a paint scraper or putty knife at an angle, scraping along the affected area. Gently lift off chips and/or peeling paint. Use a wire brush to remove smaller pieces of loose paint. Lightly sand the area around the chip. 

• Patch the area: Use spackle or drywall patching compound and apply a thin layer to the area. Use a putty knife or flat-bladed drywall knife to smooth the compound. Let dry as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply as many layers as it takes to make the area flush with the painted wall. 

• Sand the patched areas: Once dry, sand the area with a sanding sponge, sanding block or sheet of sandpaper, with a grit of 180 to 220. Check the smoothness by rubbing with your hand, particularly where the spackle meets the wall. 

• Clean: Vacuum up dust from the sanding. Use a cloth or damp sponge to wipe the patched areas. Let dry.

• Prime: Cover the repaired area with a quality primer to help the paint adhere to the wall and seal out moisture. The best primer to use depends on the surface you’re painting and what type of paint you’re using. Talk to your paint provider to determine what is best for your situation. The best paint brush for oil-based paint will have natural bristles. Nylon bristles are recommended for water-based paint. Drag your paintbrush from the inside of the patch and pull it gently outward, feathering it lightly over the surrounding area.

• Paint the patch to match the wall: Allow the primer to completely dry, then apply the wall colour you initially used. As with the primer, drag your paintbrush from the inside of the patch and pull it gently outward, feathering it lightly over the surrounding area. You may need more than one coat of colour. Let dry completely between coats. 

• Check the effectiveness of the repair: Let the paint dry completely and then check to see if there are any visible signs of a touch-up. Check at different times of the day and at different angles.

Paint chips on your perfectly coloured wall are torture! Chipped paint makes a wall look unsightly and neglected. It doesn’t take a pro to touch up a small area of paint. With a few tools and tricks, you can fix chipping and/or peeling paint, ensuring your paint job shines for years. Follow these easy steps and you can do the job in no time.

Want a paint job that doesn’t chip? Looking for professional painters to make your home shine? Call the Calgary residential painting experts, Cal Res Coatings at (403) 917-0579. We have experience with exterior and interior painting. We’re a residential painting contractor that strives for quality, has an eye for detail and colour, and will not rest until your job is done to your satisfaction. Request a free quote today.