How to Paint Wall Patches

Sand the wall patch lightly with fine-grit sandpaper. Smooth out any ridges or bumps. Sand lightly around the edges so the patch blends evenly into the surrounding wall. Don’t sand hard enough to etch or rub through the patching compound.

Paint a thin coat of primer onto the patched area with a bristle brush or a foam roller. Cover an area at least 1 inch beyond the edge of the patch. Allow the primer to dry for two to four hours, or according to label instructions, before proceeding.

Apply a thin coat of paint over the primed area, blending the paint into the surrounding wall, using a clean brush or roller. Allow the first coat to dry for two hours. Apply a second coat of paint, and optionally a third to obtain the best match with the surrounding wall.

Things You Will Need

Fine-grit sandpaper

Primer

Paint brush or foam roller

Latex wall paint

Tip

Paint comes in flat, gloss and semi-gloss varieties. Use the same type on the patched area that is already on the rest of the wall, otherwise the touch-up won’t blend in.

Small 3-inch foam rollers apply a smooth coat of paint over small drywall patches. Use a standard size roller for large patches. A small foam or bristle brush works best for covering patched nail holes.

You will not be able to tell if the paint matches until it is completely dry.