Why has my diy painting ruined my walls?

[Cadl]

Boring question but I am always impressed by the practicality and helpfulness of MNers.

Anyway, 6 months ago we had our walls painted Timeless White (dulux) and some marks have appeared over time. Nothing major just scuffs here and there plus the odd muddy splodge (dogs). Have been able to keep things at bay with magic erasers.

Anyway, I decided to spot paint using testers. Thought it was a complete success. But maybe cause today is first bright day in ages but you can totally tell what I have done and the areas I have pointed are noticeable!

what did I do wrong?

I do but I was worried a big paint pot/large roller would cause a mess. Went with tester as to me it was easier to control.

Just checked the paint pot in the garage and my receipt, both are Mat.

Yes more thin coats is best, and you need to spread out the edges a bit 'raggedly' so there's not such a defined line around the patch. Give it a week or so and if it still looks as obvious, try sanding it down and have another go?

It's usually better to go for thinner applications and more coats so you can allow the underlayers to dry before applying the next coat. A thick layer will take a lot longer to dry.

Same applies to varnish (except that with varnish you ideally give a light sand between coats).

Was going to paint a sideboard tomorrow, think I’ll give it a miss now!

Also, if you touch it up then kind of go over it again with dry paintbrush, that really helps blend it in.

You could use the original tin and a small sponge.

It's great that this has happened because you now have the experience. You can usually push the boundaries a bit on whatever job you're doing, but it's making mistakes that teaches you which boundaries you can push. You learn far more than going through life and obeying instructions to the letter.

Will do. Thank you.

With which paint?

I always thought that if you painted your walls white though, that you could then paint white on top with no worries about matching?

As long as you used the same brand in white matt/silk or whatever finish you put originally.

Is that not the big advantage of white?

Best thing about the internet is the wealth of information out there. Some paints can be touched up and some will show a patch. Best thing to do is to have it painted in a scrubbable paint in the first place. You can have any colour ie Dulux Timeless mixed into any other brand ie Johnstones at a decorator centre, they are open to the public, not trade only.

I have been decorating as a DIYer for decades, I can highly recommend this video and also her whole channel. She is a pro.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C27sfyJK1Hc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

As for learning to do things, start small and start either where no one will see or on a smaller piece. But before you pick up the brush or roller, watch some professionals do it and listen to their advice. Charlotte is brilliant. Having the right equipment helps. And no one starts off brilliant, it is a learning process. For furniture painting Katie Scott has a lot of advice. Youtube is fantastic for seeing how things are done. Good luck.

https://www.youtube.com/@salvagedbykscott/videos

Might chicken out but any input would be amazing.

So I have bought Rust-Oleum Mineral Grey Chalky Furniture Paint 750ml.

Have borrowed a sander. Was going to sand, then apply a primer and then paint. Will see how many coats are needed.

You don’t really need a primer if using chalk paint it should cover without also once it’s dried finish with a coat of wax, as it protects the paint from chipping & flaking, also make sure you only lightly sand & brush off sanding dust with a dry paintbrush then a damp cloth otherwise the dust will stick to the paint.

You can prime before painting if you want but it’s not strictly necessary.

It might be better to hold off painting a perfectly nice sideboard until you know more about paint, paint finishes, preparation and coats.

I’d be inclined to go over the spots with the original paint, but use a small 6” foam roller, which will give a nice smooth finish.

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles - Brilliant - I have 2 terriers - never thought of them just going up like little rollers covered in paint. Excellent tip. The trouble is the cutting in though because no opposable thumbs.

@Cadl - I think I have read that paint people do say not to use testers for touching up. What I would do is section out a piece of wall and paint that whole section . Yes good form to use the same batch but depending how the light falls one section won't look too different if you get a different pot - otherwise just use leftover paint.

In my experience, you will always see touched in spots in certain light. The only sure fire way to avoid it is to do the whole wall.

For cutting in - hamster on a lolly stick.

No advice but whenever I touch up (always using the same tin) it shows up differently! Same colour but has a weird sheen so is noticeable. Drives me mad!

The texture of paint that has been rollered on reflects the light differently to paint that has been brushed on and shows up I notice this even with the same batch of paint in areas where I have used a brush to paint round sockets etc. I now sort of stipple with a dry roller or brush to match the texture of the rest of the wall. You can use sandpaper if brush strikes are very prominent on dry paint.
Different paint batches can vary too.

If you used a brush then that'll be the issue.

You need to use a small roller and feather out the edges. I've touched up our walls many times over the years with this technique and never had a problem (many thanks to the decorator who originally painted them and told me what to do!)

Agree, I swear by this paint and use it to colour match everything!

The reason you can see it is because you applied the original with a roller (presumably?) and the touch up with a paintbrush so it's a different finish / different thickness. Probably no one else will notice it though if that helps

You really need to stir paint very thoroughly otherwise the pigment settles and won't be the same even if it is from the same batch. I think it will look ok in a bit!