How to do small touch ups without painting the whole wall!!

This video shows how to keep those touch ups small and not have to paint the whole wall!

[cedk]

For small paint touch-ups like that, one method that worked well for me is to apply the paint with a brush, then roll a DRY roller over it. It will pick up the excess paint (if any) and imprint the roller texture in the paint 🙂

[chrisastacio]

So this may sound odd but I have fluffed up and used a Q Tip in the past. I roll the paint on with it and have been happy with results! Obviously this works on small spots. Also for sanding, I've just used a paper towel or even fingers in the past. Just my input:)

[edover]

Great video as always Ben. My technique is a little different. I fill and use a damp sponge to remove the dry leftover mud adjacent to the hole. I then dab the paint and use the same damp sponge to “feather” the paint around the edges. It’s 90%+ perfection and never end to paint the whole wall.

[joeb]

What you have done with the paint is called stippling. Can be done with either a brush or roller. Also paints with sheen will flatten over time. Thinning the touch up paint substantially with water can help match the sheen

[AH]

Good tips! Another good tip I've picked up is simply to use masking tape around the area prior to starting

[HotspotsSoutheast]

The pink stuff is great for fixing dents. I use those cheap disposable foam brushes for dabbing paint on patches. It leaves a good texture. If the patch is a large one and the texture does not match the original wall I wait for the paint to be nearly dry then I deliberately dab on it with the foam brush or a regular brush to mess up the smoothness of the fresh paint. If it still looks too smooth after I put more paint and deliberately mess it up too until I’m happy with the texture. Doesn’t always work but it’s usually less noticeable.

[srharris]

As a painting contractor i do touchups quite often. The hardest part is getting a really good match, it needs to be the exact color AND sheen. I have a tinting kit that I carry in my van, and if its a tough sheeen Ill buy two paints, one too shiny and and another too flat and mix until i get it just right. Once you get the paint PERFECT you can touch it up however you want, although spraying works really well to fan out the hard edges. Dry rolling can work as well.

[simons]

Thanks bro, I've been getting tips from you for about 2 years now. I've started my own Plastering business in New Zealand since then and we're growing fast. I wish i could return the favor by donating through your live streams etc. All in all, kinda just wanted to thank you my guy, you're the man.

[youssefhamidi]

Hi. A painter suggest a tip for me when filling in holes. He said instead of sanding it to use a small damp cloth and wipe over it. Doing so wipes all the extra filler off the sides and leaves the holes filled in perfectly. No sanding required.

[jeffthewhiff]

Ben, I like that you decided to try using a "mini" roller to touch-up a few areas on your wall in this video. I recently used a sponge dipped in a litttle paint and it did a good job of restoring the "stipple" texture of the wall too!

[RP-pcji]

For the paint I sometimes use a super soft ladies large makeup brush with just the very tips of the fine bristles dabbed with the original paint (original mix if possible!). I gently dab this on the wall (never brushing!) and touching the wall very delicately. Do this multiple times but work away from the repaired spot to fan out using less dabs and paint as you move away from the repair. If the original paint on the wall is not too old this is generally quite effective. If the spot in question is not in the normal line of sight and not subject to bright light flooding it, the result should please the homeowner and avoid you/them having to paint the whole wall.

[Beany]

I was going to attempt a small repair behind a door with a paint brush but I will definitely be using a roller now instead, there was another more visible dent that I was going to leave but I will see how well I can fill the first hole. Thank you for the great informative vid!

[rolando]

Thanks for the tips now hopefully this works so i dont have to paint whole wall.Bought house and people had frames and curtains everywhere.When they moved out they left holes everywhere but paint was still good condition other than holes.Thanks saved me money and time

[ghandimauler]

Glad he called out the fact you can't get 100% unless you do the full routine. That is true particularly if a) the paint has been around a while (and oxidized, changing the colour over time) and/or the wall is exposed to sun much of the time (which fades colours).

Depends on your need to match....

[charliep]

Awesome tips!
I've had good success with those little foam brushes and just dab with it. I'll mix my paint really well and then use the foam brush to push the excess paint on my mixing spatula back into the can and whatever is left on the foam brush i take even more off and then just dab the touch up area. I barely use any paint and it has come out great every time! those brushes are super cheap but I'm even cheaper and I just wash the brush with just warm water and let it dry and put it in a ziplock and reuse the same one.

[debandmike]

For filling tiny holes I do the surgical approach, I will put blue tape across the hole, Cut out the exact shape of the hole (cut the hole first to make it easier), Press mud into the hole and use the knife to pull across the tape. Then remove the tape and you are left with a perfect slightly proud fill, without any buildup, And the knife never touches the wall. When the mud dries and shrinks just a hair gently scrape with a razor blade to get it down to level, As for painting I usually gently dab it with a Q-tip evenly distributing across and slightly over the repair

[davenelson]

A trick I’ve used with success after repairing and sanding filled spots smooth is to stipple the smooth surface with either primer or the color coat using just the end of the brush bristles to avoid the spot from looking too smooth. This also helps before rolling the wall with all new paint. I also use a perpendicular scraper to catch and remove any and all raised bits from the previous painting before applying the new coat.

[samsam]

Actually a good video for tiny patches. One thing to mention (I skipped through so not sure if this was mentioned) this will really only work if you use the EXACT same paint left over from actually painting the wall in the first place.

If you have to get a new tub of paint, even if it’s the same brand and colour if it’s a different tub of paint it will always be a slightly different shade.

Actually as I’m typing this … he mentioned this exact point … side note when he says ‘flashing’ or ‘flash’ that’s a decorators term for the Sheen difference that you will get on a big patch job.

Also if you are patching over fresh filler it’s best to double coat it so the filler doesn’t flash.

Really good video 🤘🏼🙋🏻‍♂️

[franciscocruzjr]

This works for me. I use an old plastic credit card as a putty (lightweight spackle) knife and a small piece of sponge to apply the paint.

[juleeleison]

I really appreciate your attention to detail. In reading comments, I saw and agree there are several ways to get good results, but regardless of method there is no substitute for taking your time. And you're always willing to try other methods.