DRJ PAINTING

Even with the most careful preparation, mistakes can happen. You step back to admire your work and your heart sinks when you spot it: a noticeable drip running down the wall, a fuzzy bit of fluff stuck in the finish, or a section full of unsightly brush marks. The good news is that almost all of these common DIY mistakes are fixable. The key is to know whether to act immediately while the paint is wet, or to have the patience to wait until it’s fully dry.

Mistake #1: Drips and Runs

These are the most common and noticeable mistakes, usually caused by applying too much paint in one go or overloading your brush. How you fix them depends entirely on whether the paint is wet or dry.

• If the Paint is Still Wet: Act immediately. Take your paintbrush (with most of the paint wiped off) and lightly brush the drip upwards into the surrounding paint until it disappears. Then, gently feather the area with your brush or a mini roller to blend the texture.
• If the Paint is Dry: Do not try to pick it off! You will tear a chunk out of the finish. You must wait until the paint is not just dry, but fully cured and hard (at least 24 hours). Take a sharp utility knife or a razor blade and carefully slice off the raised part of the drip. Then, use a fine-grit sandpaper (180 or 240-grit) wrapped around a sanding block to gently sand the area until it is perfectly smooth and flush with the wall. Wipe away the dust and then touch up the spot with a small brush or a mini roller.

Mistake #2: Brush Marks or Roller Marks

This "corduroy" or "orange peel" texture is usually caused by using a cheap roller cover, applying too much pressure, or trying to stretch your paint too far when the roller is nearly dry.

• The Fix: Unfortunately, this can only be fixed when the paint is fully dry. Once it’s cured, you need to give the entire affected area a light but thorough sand with 180-grit sandpaper to knock down the high spots and smooth out the texture. It’s a dusty job, but it’s essential. After sanding, wipe the wall completely clean of all dust. Then, you can apply a fresh, even topcoat using the correct technique: a quality roller cover, fully loaded, with light pressure, and finishing with gentle "lay-off" strokes.

Mistake #3: Lint, Fluff, and Bristles in the Finish

It’s infuriating to find a piece of fluff or a stray brush bristle permanently enshrined in your new paint job. Again, the fix depends on when you spot it.

• If the Paint is Still Wet: Use a pair of tweezers or the very tip of a utility knife to carefully pick the offending item out of the paint. Then, lightly re-brush or re-roll the small area to blend the finish.
• If the Paint is Dry: Just as with a drip, you need to wait for it to fully cure. Lightly sand the small bump until it's smooth, wipe away the dust, and then carefully touch up the spot with a small artist's brush.

Mistake #4: Paint Bleeding Under Tape

You pull off your painter’s tape, expecting a razor-sharp line, but instead you find a messy, jagged edge where the paint has bled underneath.

• The Fix: Wait for the paint to dry completely. Take a small, flexible putty knife and hold it firmly against the edge of the trim. Then, use a sharp utility knife to gently score along the putty knife's edge, cutting a new, clean line. Carefully scrape away the unwanted paint bleed. Touch up the wall or trim as needed. To prevent this in the future, always use high-quality tape and seal the edge by pressing it down firmly with a putty knife before you start painting.