What to Do When New Paint Looks Uneven

April 17, 2025

Why Is My Paint Patchy? Here's How to Fix Uneven Wall Paint Like a Pro

You’ve spent the weekend putting your heart into painting your space. You’ve chosen a gorgeous shade — maybe something earthy and calming or a fresh pop of colour to brighten things up. You clean, you prep, you paint… and when the wall dries, you're left staring blankly at a patchy, uneven mess. Splotches. Roller marks. Shady areas. All shouting, “Nice try, amateur!”

Oh love, I’ve been there. You dream of a smooth eggshell finish, and instead, your wall looks like camouflage. But before you grab a hat to cover the wall (true story — my sister once did that), let’s talk through why paint can dry unevenly and, more importantly, how to fix it without starting from scratch.

Why Does Paint Go On Uneven?

Patchy paint is usually the aftermath of rushed prep or a few skipped steps along the way. There’s no shame in it — we learn by painting, not by watching a thousand tutorials.

Here are a few of the usual suspects causing that blotchy finish:

Not using enough paint: Stretching that tin too far can make your wall hungry for coverage.
Poor surface prep: Dust, old gloss, or oily patches stop paint from sticking evenly.
Your roller or brush quality: Yep, tools matter more than we’d like to admit.
Skipping primer: On fresh, patched or porous walls, you need a proper base coat to even out absorption.

But don’t chuck the rollers yet — with a few tweaks and the right products, you can rescue even the patchiest paint job.

Step One: Grab the Right Primer

If you didn’t use a primer the first time (or didn’t use the right one), now’s the time. A good primer gives your topcoat something to grip and helps paint go on evenly. Haymes Ultralock is a mighty primer that sticks to everything — even glossy and tricky surfaces. It blocks out stains, dries fast, and gives your paint a strong, steady base. That means no surprises when your topcoat starts drying.

Give patchy areas a light sand with fine-grit paper, dust them off, then apply the primer to affected spots or to the whole area if it's messy enough. Let it dry completely before you go near that paint tin.

Step Two: Check Your Tools — They Make a Difference

If you're rocking a three-dollar roller, that could explain a lot. Cheap tools leave lines, soak up too much paint, or worse, shed fluff into your gorgeous new feature wall (hello, unintended texture).

Investing in a high-quality brush or roller can change everything. At Strathalbyn H Hardware, we cannot say enough good things about the uniPro Roller range. They hold more paint, apply it smoother, and make painting — dare I say it — kind of fun again. If you want even application, your roller needs to do more than just roll paint on.

Step Three: Repaint the Right Way

Here comes the cathartic part. Let’s repaint — with care and confidence.

Apply the paint generously — but not dripping. Work in W or M motions with your roller rather than straight up and down lines. This technique layers paint better and removes visible roller lines.
Use wet-edge painting. Paint along each section adjacent to the last before it dries to avoid "lap marks."
Don’t stop shy! Finish the full wall when you can; patch-jobs show.

If you’re still on the hunt for a paint with smooth, effortless coverage, try Haymes Ultra premium Low Sheen. It’s perfect for walls and designed to be forgiving with impeccable hiding power. That means fewer coats and a much happier painting experience.

Pro Tip: Choose a Matte or Low-Sheen Finish to Hide Old Mistakes

Glossy finishes can highlight flaws — every bump and patch. That’s why many seasoned DIYers prefer matte or low-sheen paints. They soften imperfections and create a more forgiving surface, especially if your wall wasn’t flawless to begin with (and let’s be honest, most walls aren’t).

Still Not Confident? You Don’t Have to Be Alone in the Paint Aisle Ever Again

Whether you’re standing in the paint aisle looking dazed or already halfway through re-coating a bedroom, we’re always here to help. Walk in and chat with us at Strathalbyn H Hardware's Paint Shop. We’ve spent decades helping people sort through colour swatches, fix drips, and choose the right primer — and we love it. Bring photos. Bring questions. Bring your wall horror stories. We've heard (and seen) it all and we're here for it.

And if you're dreaming up your next painting artefact — a nursery, a bold home office or finally freshening up that tiled splashback — you’ve got the right crew and products right in town.

Happy painting, and remember: it’s not about being perfect. It’s about making your house feel like your home…one paint layer at a time 🎨

Chat soon,
Candeece