When trim, walls, and woodwork have several layers of old paint on them, they are more prone to chipping and peeling. And with so many layers, old paint doesn’t just chip, it leaves behind craters and pock marks. To repair such blemishes, you need more than just a paint brush and a few minutes of time for touch ups. But that doesn’t mean that you need to strip down walls, sand them smooth, and start over entirely with fresh paint.

By using the right process, you will save time and ensure that your results are even, unblemished, and long-lasting. Continue reading for a simple guide to fixing chipped paint.

Preparation and Products

When shopping for supplies, be sure to buy the proper spackling compound. You can get spackle for drywall or for wood. Ask a store attendant to point you in the right direction. Also purchase the right grip sandpaper. Too fine won’t be effective or efficient, while too course can be damaging. Stick between 120 and 150 grit sandpaper. One or two patches is all you need unless you have a large-scale project. As for the rest of your supplies, you will need them to first level out the surface surrounding the chip, and fill it back in without any visible seams. Let’s get started!

What You Need:

• Putty Knife
• Spackling Compound
• 120 – 150 Grit Sandpaper
• Latex Primer
• Paint Color
• Paint Brush
• Drop Cloth

Step 1

Lay down your drop cloths to protect surrounding floors and furnishings from paint splatter. Then clean the chipped area and the areas surrounding it with clean warm water and a little dish soap. Allow it to dry completely before moving forward with the next step.

Step 2
Using your putty knife, scoop out a moderate amount of spackling compound and smooth it over the chipped area and its outer perimeters. Be sure to slightly overfill the area (you’ll be sanding it down later) and use multiple stroke directions to fill in all the nooks and crevices.

Step 3
Once the spackle is smoothed down adequately, allow it to dry completely. Depending on the size of the area and the amount of spackle used, drying times can range anywhere between a few minutes and a few hours. Generally, smaller projects will dry within 15 to 20 minutes, while larger patches will take at least an hour.

Step 4
Check to see if the spackle has dried completely. When wet, spackle resembles a gray-like color, but when dry it is bright white. If it is dry, you can begin the sanding process. Lightly sand down the spackled area until the surface is entirely level and smooth.

Step 5
Using a small or medium-sized paint brush, apply a coat of latex primer on the patch. This will help the paint color blend perfectly into the surface.

Step 6
Apply just one coat of paint color onto the patch, smoothing it out until well-blended and even with the rest of the surrounding surface color.

Indianapolis Painting Contractors

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional painting services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner Lee Elliot, and his team of drywall and painting contractors, have decades of experience in the home remodeling and restoration industry. They offer a wide range of interior and exterior painting and drywall services for commercial and residential properties. Call 317-454-3612 to schedule an estimate for Indianapolis painting service, today.