Just wondering what you pros use for touching up painted wall surfaces. I’m working on a light colored wall that was primed and painted (satin sheen) with 3/8″ nap roller before the trim was put in. I dinged a spot or two (smaller than a dime) and now need to touch them up. What is the best tool to apply the paint with? I’m thinking that a mini roller (2 or 3 inches) would work best, but what type? Foam or nap? I’m looking for the most invisible repair I can manage without repainting the whole wall. Thanks.
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Replies
BK,
I just dab it on with a damp cellulose sponge for tiny repairs. Saves a lot of cleanup and no one will see it. Dab, never smear.
Bill
>> satin sheen <<
You may have to repaint the whole wall.
I've tried the mini-rollers. They don't create the same texture. For small touch-ups (I would consider dime-size as small), I just use a brush. With the exception of glossy surfaces with an opposing light source, these touch-ups are extremely hard to find.
You may as well try it, if a brush leaves a touch-up that is completely unacceptable, I can't see any other way to do it without re-painting the entire wall.
By the way, if the new paint isn't an exact match, just transition in a corner. Because of the way light reflects off of each surface, you'll never notice a small change in colors in corners.
-Don
Id agree with Don, and Phil, he beat me to it.
Use a brush, for larger spots, feather in many directions, not in straight lines. I get them so that I cant find them later as well.... as long as its the same paint.
When I do a job I usually try to save a small jar of the color from the original batch just because its normal to get some dings, dont let it eat you up.
If you choose a small roller, I would use the same nap and texture as your bigger roller. They make 3-4 inch standard width rollers, minis are for going behind radiators and toilets.
-zen
Edited 6/16/2005 9:59 am ET by zendo
Latex acrylic, right ? With a 3/8" art-brush or a 1/2" Purdy, a fine sanding sponge, and some 300 grit wet or dry (on stand-by, just in case), I can feather in a small spot onto recent paint (old paint is much tougher) that you'd have trouble finding.
If the spot needs to be filled, then I'm afraid that primer will be needed too.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario