Common Interior Painting Problems and How to Fix Them

When interior paint looks wrong, the problem is usually in the prep, not the paint. Here are the most common interior painting problems, what causes them, and how to fix them.

Blotchy or patchy color

Patches, joint compound and bare drywall absorb paint differently from painted surfaces, so they show up dull or shiny even in the same color. This is called flashing. Fix: prime every patch and repair before painting, and apply two full coats.

Visible patches and dents

Paint doesn't hide damage; it highlights it. Fix: fill nail holes and dents, sand them smooth, match the texture and prime before painting. See why a drywall patch looks patchy.

Peeling and flaking

Paint peels when it's applied over dirt, grease, moisture or glossy paint without a primer. Fix: scrape off loose paint, clean the surface, sand glossy areas, prime and repaint. Peeling in bathrooms usually means moisture; run the exhaust fan.

Roller marks and lap lines

Stripes appear when paint dries before the next pass blends in. Fix: keep a wet edge, work in small sections, and finish with light strokes in one direction.

Uneven coats

Thin spots and heavy spots dry to different sheens. Fix: load the roller evenly, use enough paint, and apply full, consistent coats across the whole wall.

Cracking

Paint that's applied too thick or over paint that wasn't fully dry can crack as it cures. Fix: sand the area smooth, prime and repaint in thinner coats.

Touch-ups that show

A touch-up often shows even with the same color, because the original paint has faded or the sheen differs. Fix: use paint from the same can if you have it, apply it thinly with the same tool used originally, and feather the edges. If it still shows, repaint the wall from corner to corner.

Painting trim, doors and other surfaces

Trim and doors take a semi-gloss or satin paint that stands up to cleaning. Wood needs a primer suited to wood; metal needs a metal primer to prevent rust. See choosing a paint sheen.

Interior painting in Orlando

New Ceilings repairs walls and ceilings before painting them, so patches don't show through the new color. We paint with Sherwin-Williams paint across Orlando and Central Florida. See interior and exterior painting and how professionals prepare for interior painting.