How to Fix Paint Drips

pink paint drips on a wall

Paint drips on a freshly painted surface are unsightly, but they’re generally easy to fix, especially if you catch them before they dry.

The key is to inspect the surface immediately after painting, then roll or brush the drips out while they’re still wet. If they’re not quite wet but are sort of spongy, wait until they dry, then scrape and sand them and apply another coat of paint.  

Project difficulty: Beginner
Estimated time to complete: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Project cost: $5 to $35

What You Need

image of different paint brushes, rollers,and other tools for painting
Photo Credit: monticellllo / Adobe Stock Free / License
  • Paint scraper or razor blade
  • Medium-grit sanding block (P150)
  • Fine-grit sandpaper (P220)
  • Glazing putty 
  • Putty knife
  • Primer
  • Paint roller, sprayer, or brush (depending on the tool you originally used to paint your wall) 
  • Drop cloth   
  • Painter’s tape 
  • Paint tray 

Let the Paint Dry 

If the paint drips are still fresh, you can fix them by rolling them out. However, if you spot the drips only after they have partially dried, let them dry completely. You’ll just mar the new paint job if you try to scrape or remove partially dried drips. 

Scrape the Drip

a man scraping the paint drips from a wall
Photo Credit: Piotr / Adobe Stock Free / License

Gently scrape the raised portion of the drip with a paint scraper or razor blade. Scrape slowly to avoid disturbing the surrounding area.

Wet Sand the Drip

Dip a medium-grit sanding block (P150) in water and sand the drip gently along its length. Sanding across or in the opposite direction can damage the surrounding paint. If you feel the sanding block is getting dry, rewet it so you don’t damage the paint underneath. Keep checking the surface periodically with your hand to determine if it’s smooth. 

Once the surface is smooth, lightly dry sand with fine-grit sandpaper (P220) to smooth out the drip completely. 

Fix Any Damage

No matter how careful you are, it’s nearly impossible to avoid scuffing the paint job or scratching or gouging the wall when fixing a drip. A glazing putty like Bondo can repair the damage. Spread the putty with a putty knife and scrape off the excess with a paint scraper. Let the putty dry for an hour, then sand it lightly with a fine-grit sandpaper. 

Apply primer to the glazing putty to prevent the paint from looking blotchy. 

Repaint the Surface

a person painting the wall after sanding the paint drips
Photo Credit: Dusan Kostic / Adobe Stock Free / License

Repaint the surface with the same tool you initially used to paint the wall. If you used a roller, follow these steps to touch up the wall the right way: 

  • Cover the floor and nearby objects with a drop cloth. Use painter’s tape to protect the areas you don’t want to paint, like fixtures and trim. 
  • Use the same type of roller you used to paint the wall. 
  • Stir the paint thoroughly and pour about an inch of paint into a paint tray.
  • Roll the nap six to seven times to distribute the paint evenly. 
  • Move the roller from top to bottom in V-shaped strokes starting from the center of the painting area. Apply light pressure and use continuous motions.  
  • Wait for the first coat of paint to dry. 
  • Overlap the first coat in the same vertical zig-zag pattern. Make sure the edges are smooth. 
Person using a paint sprayer on a door with painter's tape on the side and a tarp underneath
Photo Credit: ungvar / Adobe Stock Free / License

Follow these steps if you used a paint spray:

  • Spray painting can be messy, so make sure to cover the surfaces where you don’t want the paint to get onto with a drop cloth and painter’s tape. 
  • Once you fill the reservoir of your paint gun, test the sprayer on cardboard. Adjust the spray pattern and pressure for an even and smooth finish. 
  • Adjust the nozzle vertically and hold the paint sprayer 10 to 12 inches from the wall steadily at a perpendicular angle. Spray in short strokes from side-to-side. Make sure to start moving the gun before pulling the trigger. 

If the repair is very small, you can touch it up with a paint brush. It’s also a better choice to touch up corners, edges, trim, and baseboards. 

  • Use an angled paint brush to work on corners, edges, and trim. For larger surfaces, use a flat brush. 
  • Dip the paint brush in water for water-based paint and into mineral spirits for oil paint. It helps the paint stick to your brush for longer.
  • Pour the paint onto a paint tray. Load the brush by dipping the bristles halfway into the paint.    
  • When working with an angled brush, grip by the ferrule like holding a pen. Use the narrow edge of the brush to paint. Paint from top to bottom with light, even brush strokes. Go over the surface two to three times to get rid of any brush marks.
  • For a flat brush, hold it at a 45-degree angle and paint in diagonal strokes. 

Paint Drips Are Easy to Fix

Paint drips ruin the look of an otherwise beautiful wall, but the good news is that they are easy to fix. Keep an eye out for paint drips while you’re painting because wet drips are the easiest to fix. If the paint drip has dried, scrape and sand it and then repaint. 

If you’d like to avoid drips altogether, hire a professional painter. Home Gnome connects you to the best painters near you.

Main Image Credits: Pexels

Abdul Wadood

Abdul Wadood enjoys painting and is currently on a mission to help homeowners transform their living spaces from boring to beautiful. When he's not painting, you can find him exploring the world.