Painting Over Chipped Paint: Should You Do It?

If your paint is starting to chip and doesn't look up to par, you may be tempted to grab a brush with the hopes of covering it up. Sure, some fresh paint will cover up chipped paint, but not for long. In only a few months the paint will look even worse. Why? Because paint won't adhere over the chipped areas. You need to properly prep if you're going to paint over chipping paint. 

When you go to the expense and effort of painting, you expect a quality outcome. Unless you know the pros, cons, and solutions, painting over chipped paint can leave a homeowner seriously disappointed. 

This article helps you learn how to assess the condition of your walls, describes the causes of chipping, the pros and cons of painting over chipped areas, and how to properly prep your walls before painting. If you're worried about your chipped paint or unsure of how to go about prepping and painting, residential painting services will ensure a stress-free quality paint job. 

Assess the Condition of Chipped Paint

Assessing the condition of chipped paint is crucial. You want to identify the source of the chipping before you open the paint can and get started.

Identifying Problem Areas

Chipping paint is easy to identify. It will show shadowed edges, and uneven paint color, and may even start falling away from the ceiling or walls. You'll definitely notice chipping as you start to clean walls before painting. 

Determining the Causes

Look for both internal and external causes of chipping paint:

• Moisture – Moisture behind the paint is the most common cause of peeling and chipping. Make sure that rain and moisture drain away from exterior walls, and check for leaking pipes and roof leaks if you see chipping paint on interior walls. 

• Poor Prep – Improper prep can cause peeling and chipping. If you've painted over bare wood without using a primer, the paint will chip. Or, if a wall hasn't been cleaned of grime or dust, the paint can't adhere properly and will start to chip. 

• Improper Type of Paint – Paints are formulated for specific use. Exterior, interior, and masonry are just a few examples. Be sure to use the right paint for your job. 

• Paint is too Thick – Applying too thick a coat of paint can cause cracking. The paint dries unevenly and doesn't cure properly. 

• Low-Quality Paint – Cheap paint won't adhere like high-quality paint. Inferior paint often starts to chip and peel. 

• Extensive Sun Exposure – The sun eventually causes paint to lose its elastic qualities and start to chip. 

• Old Paint – Paint that has exceeded its lifespan loses its adherence qualities and will start to chip.

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Preparation and Surface Repair

Even though you can quickly grab a brush and paint over chipped paint, you'll regret it in the long run. Nothing beats the benefits of proper prep so remove as much of the chipped paint as possible, make needed repairs, then sand and clean the wall before painting.

Removing the Chipped Paint 

Scrape off as much of the chipped paint as possible with a putty knife or paint scraper. Slip the edge of the tool under the paint and carefully move along back and forth, separating the paint from the wall. 

Filling and Patching

Fill all gouges, cracks, or holes with spackling compound. Holes larger than 3" will need to be repaired with a drywall patch.

Sanding and Cleaning

When all of the chipped paint has been removed and repairs have been made, sand the wall with a fine-grit sandpaper. Paint adheres better to an evenly sanded surface. Use a damp rag to clean off the sanding dust from the entire wall. Be sure the wall is completely dry before proceeding.

Choosing the Right Paint

Once you've primed any bare spots, apply a high-quality paint formulated for your situation. Choose an acrylic latex for interior walls. Waterborne alkyd is great for wood, trim, and cabinetry. Use masonry paint for brick or cement walls. Be sure to use a primer before painting, especially on brick, masonry, wood, and porous surfaces. 

Maintenance and Longevity

Paint is one of the ultimate forms of protection for your home. Checking to make sure the paint is intact and doing its job is one of the best ways to avoid potential maintenance problems.

Regular Maintenance

One of the best ways to protect against chipping paint is to periodically inspect your home and make sure there are no leaks, moisture damage, or ventilation problems that can cause the paint to chip. For example, check to see if the paint on walls constantly exposed to the sun is holding up and protecting the siding. Trim foliage away from exterior painted surfaces and keep furniture from rubbing against interior walls.

Ensuring Longevity

The best way to ensure the longevity of your paint job is to properly prep the surface before painting. Avoid chipping problems by using a primer when recommended, and apply a high-quality interior or exterior paint that is specially formulated for the particular surface.

Repair Your Walls With Singletrack Painting

Now that you know how to address the problems associated with chipping paint, you may want a pro to manage the work for you. After all, pro painters are experts at the all-important prep work that results in a superior paint job. 

Singletrack Painting pros will repair your chipped walls and transform them so they look beautiful and new. At Singletrack, we're proud of our years of experience in exterior, interior, and cabinetry painting in the Denver Metro area. Request a quote now!

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