How to Correct Fisheye in Painted Walls

Fisheyes are flaws that occur in painted surfaces, such as walls, after the paint dries. They resemble small, round depressions with raised edges, approximately the size of a fish’s eye. The imperfections are caused by grease, oil, dirt or other contaminates on the wall prior to the application of paint. Once the fisheye is present, the only solution is to sand it down and repaint the wall area.

220-grit sandpaper
Tack cloth
Latex rubber gloves
Lint-free cloth
Mineral spirits
Paint tray
Paint
Trim paint roller

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the paint to make sure it's fully cured and no longer sticky to the touch. If you attempt to repair the paint while it is still tacky, it gums up and creates a larger imperfection.
- 2
  Pick up a fine-grit sandpaper sheet, such as 220, and fold it into a small square. Sand the surface of the fisheye imperfection gently, using a circular motion to smooth down the raised edges. Extend the sanding out approximately 1/2 inch beyond the fisheye. Continue sanding until you can no longer feel the fisheye with your hand.
- 3
  Wipe the wall from top to bottom using a tack cloth to remove all of the sanding dust. Wipe the entire wall, not just the repair site.
- 4
  Don disposable latex gloves and apply 3 to 4 tablespoons of mineral spirits to a brand new lint-free cloth. Wipe the surface of the wall from top to bottom using the rag to remove any grease or contaminates that will create more fisheyes.
- 5
  Pour 1 cup of matching paint into a clean paint tray. Insert a trim-size paint roller into the paint until saturated and roll it onto the wall over the repair site. Wait until the paint dries and the fisheye is no longer visible.

Concrete Foundation Flaking at Ground Level

How to Remove a Mantel From a Brick Wall

Wall Repairs