Paint Problems Troubleshooting (Why It Looks Patchy, Streaky, or Wrong)

Don’t repaint until you troubleshoot

If a wall looks patchy or wrong, repainting the same way will usually give you the same result. The real fix is understanding why it happened: surface issues, lighting, finish, or application technique.

Use this guide to diagnose the issue before you waste time and money. Most problems have a clear cause and a clear fix.

Problem 1: Patchy or uneven colour

Patchiness is usually caused by uneven absorbency or insufficient coats.

Fix: spot-prime patchy areas, then apply a full second coat. Use the prep guide for the correct process.

Problem 2: Streaks or roller marks

Streaks usually mean the paint dried unevenly or the roller technique was inconsistent.

Fix: use a quality roller, work in smaller sections, and keep the edge wet. The application guide includes a step-by-step rolling process.

Problem 3: Flashing (patches show under light)

Flashing happens when patched areas absorb paint differently, making them visible under side light.

Fix: sand patches smooth, prime, and then repaint the full wall. This is a prep issue, not a colour issue.

Problem 4: Colour looks wrong at night

Night-time colour shifts are common, especially in warm bulbs. Undertones reveal themselves differently under artificial light.

Fix: check bulbs first. If the undertone is still wrong, test a different shade within the same family. Use the light guide and undertone guide before repainting.

Problem 5: The finish looks too shiny or too flat

Finish changes the perceived colour. A shiny finish can make the colour feel brighter and reveal imperfections. A flat finish can make the colour feel darker and duller.

Fix: choose the right sheen for the surface. The finish cheat sheet is the fastest way to correct this.

Problem 6: Peel or poor adhesion

Peeling paint usually means the surface wasn’t clean, wasn’t sanded, or was too glossy. Moisture can also be the culprit.

Fix: scrape loose paint, sand smooth, clean thoroughly, and prime. Use the prep guide before repainting.

Problem 7: The colour looks different on each wall

This is almost always a light direction issue, not a paint issue. Different walls receive different light, which changes undertone behaviour.

Fix: test the colour in each location before committing, or choose a more stable undertone family. The light guide explains why this happens.

Problem 8: The room feels “off” but you can’t say why

This is almost always undertone mismatch between walls, trim, and materials.

Fix: compare undertone families and adjust the trim or white first. The trim guide and whites guide show how to realign the palette.

Problem 9: Burnishing (shiny patches after cleaning)

Burnishing happens when matt paint is scrubbed repeatedly. The surface becomes shiny and patchy, especially under side light.

Fix: avoid aggressive cleaning on matt walls, or use a more durable finish in high-traffic areas. The finish cheat sheet explains which finishes handle cleaning best.

Problem 10: Colour mismatch between tins

Even the same colour can look slightly different across batches. This is most noticeable on large walls or open-plan spaces.

Fix: always mix tins together in a large bucket before painting (boxing). If the mismatch is already on the wall, a full coat from a boxed batch is the cleanest fix.

Problem 11: Stains bleeding through

Yellow or brown stains can bleed through new paint, especially on ceilings and old plaster. This is not a colour issue — it’s a stain-blocking issue.

Fix: seal with a stain-blocking primer, then repaint. Water marks, tannin bleed, and smoke stains all need a dedicated blocker before you use your finish coat.

Quick diagnostic checklist

If you answer “no” to any of those, start there before repainting.

The reality check

Paint problems are usually process problems. Fix the process, and the paint looks right. Use the testing guide and prep guide before you repaint.