How to Repair a Paint Scratch
- 1). Set up a painter's light so that it shines directly on the wall where the scratch is located. You need to provide plenty of light for the repair.
- 2). Cut away any hanging paint or drywall paper with a utility knife to clean the scratch of any material rising above the level of the wall.
- 3). Sand the ridges around the scratch lightly with 120-grit sandpaper, until they are smooth with the surface of the surrounding wall.
- 4). Fill the scratch or dent with drywall compound mud using a stiff putty knife. Allow the mud to dry completely. Sand the mud smooth with the wall. Reapply a second coat of drywall compound barely skimming it over the scratch to fill in any shrinkage. Allow to dry and then sand again until smooth with the wall. Remove dust from area with a tack cloth.
- 5). View the scratch from the side to see if any shadows are being cast by the light. If no shadows are seen and the scratch looks like it's smooth with the wall, prime the repair with primer paint using a mini roller.
- 6). Allow the primer to dry and then paint over the repair with one to two coats of finish paint.
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