How to touch up interior paint

What you'll learn

• Why a touch-up can still flash even with the same color name
• How to prep the surface so the touch-up has a chance to blend
• How to match the original applicator instead of guessing brush versus roller
• When a corner-to-corner repaint is more consistent than more touch-ups

Step by step

1. 1. Try cleaning a scuff first with a soft rag, mild soap, and water if the paint maker allows it. Let the area dry and stop if cleaning changes the sheen or lifts color.
2. 2. Match the paint brand or product, color, and sheen if possible. If the original is unknown, take a clean sample to a paint retailer and test the match in a discreet spot. A stored color name alone may not reproduce the wall's present appearance.
3. 3. Repair dents or gouges before painting. Let the filler dry according to its label, sand it flush without polishing the surrounding finish, remove dust, and prime repaired drywall. Paint will not conceal a raised edge or a texture mismatch.
4. 4. Inspect saved paint for rust, contamination, skin, lumps, or a bad odor. If it remains usable, mix it thoroughly according to the label until the color and consistency are uniform. There is no benefit to letting stirred paint sit overnight; use it within the product's stated storage and application limits.
5. 5. Match the original surface texture with the same type of applicator when you can. Follow the original application direction if you know it. A foam roller or brush is not automatically the right match for every finish.
6. 6. Start with very little paint at the center of the repair and feather the lightest amount toward the edges. Let each coat dry for the time printed on the can before deciding whether another coat is needed.
7. 7. View the dry touch-up in the room's normal daylight and evening light. If the color, sheen, or texture still flashes, repainting from corner to corner is usually more consistent than enlarging the spot with repeated touch-ups.