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Why Is My Paint Streaky? 4 Causes and Solutions
Brush up on what to do when coverage is lacking
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Need to Schedule Repairs? Connect With a Pro
Bad coverage leaves your paint looking streaky when you apply too little paint or spread it too thin on the roller.
Typical costs range from $966 to $3,087 for professional interior house painting, so addressing streaks early helps avoid repainting entire rooms.
Low quality paint often lacks the binders or pigment you need to cover textured walls, and primer can help improve coverage.
Hiring a local interior painting professional provides reliable help when streaks cover multiple walls, keeping your project on track with proper technique.
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That flawless, photo-worthy paint job you envisioned instead looks like abstract art—and not on purpose. So, why is your paint streaky? It could be due to problems with technique or tools, or it could be the fault of discounted paint. Either way, it’s time to figure out how to turn your DIY mess into a masterpiece.
1. Bad Coverage
Amateur painters may not apply enough paint or might spread the paint too thin, leading to streaky paint. If the wall beneath the paint peeks through consistently after rolling, the roller may not have enough paint for a full-coverage stroke.
How to Fix It
Load the right amount of paint onto your roller before applying it to the wall. You want enough paint to completely coat the roller without excess paint dripping off the sides or squeezing out and leaving roller marks behind.
2. Low Quality Paint
VAKSMANV/ getty Images
Not all paint is created equal. In fact, sometimes it’s worth investing in higher-priced paint to avoid streaky walls. Cheaper paint sometimes lacks the binders or pigment you need to properly coat your walls.
How to Fix It
Check the texture of your walls to see if you need to buy a better quality paint to cover your walls. Textured walls may need paint that includes primer to better coat the bumps. Your local painting company may also be able to recommend specific types of paint based on the project you’re working on.
3. Not Enough Prep
Proper wall preparation plays a big part in the success of your paint job. If you fail to sand down and clean your walls prior to painting, dust and debris could cause uneven streaks.
How to Fix It
Lightly sand and clean your streaky walls, and consider applying a primer first or buying paint with built-in primer to achieve better coverage.
4. Roller Issues
wittybear/ Adobe Stock
Loading too much or too little paint on a roller with the wrong nap can cause uneven streaks, as can applying too much pressure to your roller, which can squeeze out paint on the edges and leave behind roller marks.
How to Fix It
Purchase the right type of nap roller for the paint job you’re doing (or fixing). For example, most interior walls and ceilings call for a 3/8 to 1/2-inch nap roller, while a 3/4 to 1-inch nap is better for textured surfaces like stucco or brick. You’ll also want to apply an even coat of paint to your roller and apply even, consistent pressure to avoid streaking.
When to Call a Pro
sankai/ istock/ Getty images
A streak or two is something you can likely tackle yourself with a few extra brush strokes or touchups. However, if the streaks are extensive, cover several walls in multiple rooms, or require getting on a ladder to fix, it’s best to call a local painting professional. The cost to paint the interior of a house ranges from $966 to $3,087, depending on the size of your home and how extensive the streaks that need covering are. If that’s in your budget, it may be worthwhile to reach out to the experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Interior painting services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.6★ avg. • 86 total reviews
- Maria G.
Custom Paint Jobs LLC is the go-to choice for all your painting needs. They painted both the interior and exterior of my house flawlessly. Their work speaks for itself!
Custom Paint Jobs, LLC - Michael G.
Beginning with the estimate, Larry and Peyton were super helpful in getting my new condo's interior re-painted. Not only was the job well done, but also done in a super timely manner as promised.
Five Star Painting of Plain City and Powell - Becky C.
The Dither painting crew did an awesome job! They were reliable, knowledgeable and professional. We highly recommend Dither Painting!
DITHER PAINTING - Ryan N.
Eric and his crew executed very well on the job of painting interior walls for me. Eric was timely and efficient and did what he said he would do. They cleaned up after the job was done as one would hope. I was given a very fair price and they did great work. Eric was also professional and...
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