How to Fix Chipped Paint on Walls Without Repainting the Whole Room

By
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for years.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 10/29/24
Fixing chipped paint on a wall

The Spruce / Brie Goldman

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 - 20 mins
  • Total Time: 6 - 8 hrs
  • Yield: Fix paint chip up to 3 inches wide
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10 to $20

Chipped paint makes a wall look old, and it can lead to widespread paint problems. Fixing chipped paint on walls is simple and doesn't require repainting the entire room. Learn how to fix chipped paint on walls in just a few steps using a putty knife and inexpensive filler.

Why Paint Chips and Peels

Paint chips and larger peeling on walls may be due to the following:

  • Physical impact
  • Moisture during painting
  • Poor surface preparation
  • Paint on a glossy surface
  • Overly thick layers of paint

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Before You Begin

You'll need lightweight wall filler and a couple of putty knives to fix the chipped paint:

  • Filler: You can use either spackle or drywall joint compound, though spackle is preferable. It is lighter weight than joint compound, so it works well for thin applications like paint chips.
  • Putty knives: Use a 2-inch knife to scoop out and apply the filler and a 4-inch knife to smooth the filler level with the surrounding paint. You can use just one knife if you like, but ensure the knife is wider than the patch area.
Materials needed to fix chipped paint on a wall

The Spruce / Brie Goldman

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 2-inch putty knife
  • 4-inch drywall knife
  • Wire brush
  • Sandpaper (medium- and fine-grit)
  • Paintbrush
  • Lint-free cloth

Materials

  • Spackle or drywall compound
  • Wall primer
  • Wall paint
  • Plastic sheeting
  • Painter's tape

Instructions

How to Fix Chipped Paint

  1. Prepare the Area

    Remove pictures, thermostat covers, outlet covers, and light switch face plates near the chipped paint. Tape a drop cloth to the floor against the baseboard to prevent paint splatter from damaging the floor.

    Preparing the part of the wall with chipped paint

    The Spruce / Brie Goldman

  2. Remove Loose Paint

    Brush off loose edges of peeling paint with the wire brush. For loose paint you can't easily brush off, switch to the putty knife. Hold the putty knife at a 45-degree angle and push gently to avoid removing more paint than necessary.

    Removing loose paint from the wall with a stiff brush

    The Spruce / Brie Goldman

  3. Sand the Edges

    Gently run medium-grit sandpaper along the perimeter to smooth the paint's edges further. Avoid oversanding to prevent wall damage.

    Sanding the wall before fixing chipped paint

    The Spruce / Brie Goldman

  4. Apply the Filler

    Use the putty knife to pick up the spackle or joint compound from its container. Press the filler firmly onto the patch area. Scrape excess filler from the putty knife back into the original container.

    Applying filler or spackle to the area of the wall where the paint has chipped

    The Spruce / Brie Goldman

  5. Smooth the Filler

    Swipe the clean putty knife over the patch area. Swipe once or twice more from different directions to smooth the filler so it is level with the surrounding paint. Additional swipes may gouge the patch area.

    Smoothing out the filler or spackle on the wall

    The Spruce / Brie Goldman

  6. Let the Filler Dry

    Wait 30 to 60 minutes for the filler to dry and harden. If the patched section is deeper than the thickness of the surrounding paint (1 to 2 mm), the filler may take four to five hours to dry.

    Letting the wall filler dry

    The Spruce / Brie Goldman

  7. Sand the Patch

    Sand the patched area with fine-grit sandpaper to blend seamlessly with the surrounding paint. Sand with care. Wipe off the dust with a clean microfiber cloth or other lint-free cloth.

    Sanding down the patched area of the wall

    The Spruce / Brie Goldman

  8. Prime the Patch

    Brush paint primer over the patched area and another inch or two onto the surrounding paint. Let the primer dry for 60 minutes—the longer you wait, the better the paint will turn out.

    Priming over the patch of repaired drywall

    The Spruce / Brie Goldman

  9. Paint the Patch

    Brush the wall paint over the patched area. At the end of each stroke, ease pressure on the brush to blend the paint into the surrounding paint. Let the paint dry for four hours before recoating.

    Painting over the touched up drywall patch

    The Spruce / Brie Goldman

Tips to Prevent Paint Chipping and Peeling

Most paint chipping and peeling problems stem from poor preparation and paint application:

  • Scuff glossy paint with fine-grit sandpaper.
  • Clean the wall before painting.
  • Make sure the surface is fully dry before painting.
  • Observe paint recoat times: four hours for latex paint and 24 hours for oil-based paint.
  • Fix paint chips immediately since small chips can expand.
  • Protect the paint with wainscoting and chair rail trim in high-impact areas like dining areas and bathrooms.
FAQ
  • Can you paint over chipped paint?

    You can paint over chipped paint if the chip is small and the edges aren't peeling. For a better look, fill the chipped area with spackle or joint compound, sand the filler so it's flush with the surrounding paint, and then prime and paint.

  • Can you patch paint on a wall?

    You can patch or touch up paint on a wall with a brush. First, scrape or sand off any loose paint. Next, fill depressions with spackle or joint compound. Finish by brushing primer and wall paint over the patch. Feathering the paint outward is essential to blending the new paint with the existing paint.

  • How do you fix a paint job that went wrong?

    You can fix a paint job that went wrong by scraping off high areas and filling low areas. With a putty knife, scrape off paint drips, wrinkled paint, and bubbles. Fill low areas with a putty knife and joint compound or spackle. Two coats of heavy-duty oil-based primer may be necessary for the new paint to stick.