Is it normal for the first coat of paint to be patchy?

Author: Devonte Beier  |  Last update: Saturday, February 14, 2026

Don't worry if the wall looks patchy at first – this is normal for claypaint. Wait a few hours and you will notice that the colour evens out as it dries (dark colours take much longer to settle to their final colour). We advise that you wait until the colour has settled before applying subsequent coats.

Is it normal for the first coat of paint to look uneven?

Comments Section This looks totally normal for one coat. Going from light to dark takes a minimum of two coats to look good, often three coats. Make sure you don't overcompensate by loading too much paint on the roller, you will end up with ridges in the paint.

Does the first coat of paint have to be perfect?

The answer: don't worry that your single coat of primer looks bad. it's ok.

Why do my newly painted walls look patchy?

Patchiness in a painted wall can happen due to several factors, such as applying too thin a coat of paint, uneven surface texture, or not allowing each coat to dry properly before applying the next. Make sure to use quality paint and apply multiple thin layers for better coverage. For more, check out my Quora Profile.

Why does my first coat of paint look so bad?

Why it happens: Uneven or blotchy paint occurs when you've either skipped priming or not adequately primed your wall before painting. This can also result from not applying enough coats of paint to get a uniform finish.

What’s The Difference Between Rolling Your First Coat and Second Coat of Paint? - Spencer Colgan

Does it matter if the first coat of paint is patchy?

Don't worry if the wall looks patchy at first – this is normal for claypaint. Wait a few hours and you will notice that the colour evens out as it dries (dark colours take much longer to settle to their final colour). We advise that you wait until the colour has settled before applying subsequent coats.

Will paint look better after second coat?

So, a second paint coat will make the finish look darker and more intense. Think of adding multiple coats of paint to your wall as adding an extra shot of espresso to your morning coffee – adding more intensity to your coffee – and your paint colours!

Will a second coat fix uneven paint?

Reapply another coat to fill in bare spots. If there are clumps or bubbles on the painted surface, sand it, wipe clean, and reapply a coat of paint. To avoid streaks or lap marks from a roller, maintain a wet edge by applying paint toward the unpainted area and then back into the just painted area.

How to fix a splotchy paint job?

Apply a new coat of coating.
  1. Mix paint with a stirring stick down to the bottom of the container.
  2. Apply a base coat to obtain a uniform surface.
  3. Make sure that the panels are straight and properly lined up, and that the joints are straight and even.
  4. Apply paint uniformly.
  5. Apply two finishing coats to ensure evenness.

Why are patches showing through paint?

The larger patches show through because of differences in the texture of the surrounding wall, which has had several coats of paint applied over the years. So you have roller texture and smooth drywall patches.

How to tell if primer is bad?

Regardless of the base type, there are a few key signs that your paint or primer has gone bad:
  1. Odor. Just like rotten food in your refrigerator, there's usually a harsh smell that accompanies an old can of paint that has gone bad.
  2. Physical changes. ...
  3. Separated solutions.

How long should I leave first coat of paint?

How long does Lick paint take to dry? We advise leaving between 2-4 hours before you start painting your second coat. Once your second coat has been applied, your paint will take about 24 hours to dry.

Do you really need primer before you paint?

Primer will hide the old color so it won't compromise your new shade, and it helps the new color to adhere for solid and even coverage. Self-priming paints will not provide sufficient coverage when there is a drastic color change, so if you don't prime the walls you'll probably need a third coat of paint.

Is the first coat of paint always patchy on Reddit?

They typically don't cover very well as you can tell by looking at it. The areas where it's darker means you lapped the roller over into that area and it has more paint. That color will probably take about four coats to get the color "full".

Will a second coat of paint cover brush marks?

Brush marks are caused by strokes that leave the paint with a rough texture and visible brush strokes. The rough texture and visible brush strokes can be easily covered in a second coat of paint by using a slightly different technique than you used for your first coat.

What if I touch up paint and it looks different?

The main problem is that wicking will not occur at the same rate on a touch-up job versus the wicking rate of the original top coat. It is virtually impossible to reproduce the exact wicking rate, and this is why a touch-up job will often appear as a slightly different color than the original paint.

Does paint look patchy as it dries?

If your roller runs dry, you'll find yourself with uneven patches, leaving your walls looking inconsistent. Also resist the urge to rework wet paint and trust the process… it will look patchy whilst drying! Another common culprit in achieving a patchy effect is not maintaining a wet edge whist cutting in.

What is a common mistake when painting with a roller?

Not Fully Loading the Roller

The roller needs to be fully loaded with paint to the core, otherwise you'll get air bubbles on your wall, resulting in “paint acne.” To avoid this mistake, roll back and forth on the roller tray until all bubbles are gone and the roller feels heavy.

Does paint look uneven as it dries?

If the humidity is too high, the solvents in the paint will take longer to evaporate. This long drying time cause the paint to dry with a darker appearance, though it can also lead to uneven drying, streaks, and paint discoloration.

How do you fix a bad first coat of paint?

To fix this, you can:
  1. Scrape the drips off with a paint scraper and/or sand the area until smooth. Patching may be necessary afterward, be careful as it may take off underlying paint. If severe enough, it may be easier to patch the whole area.
  2. Clean the area with a damp cloth.
  3. Repaint it.

Why does my paint job look blotchy?

First, roller marks are a common culprit. These can occur when the paint roller isn't fully immersed in the paint or is applied unevenly, leaving a patchy, streaky appearance once the paint has dried. Second, brush marks are another common cause of streaks.

Why does my second coat of paint look bad?

Applying the second coat of paint before letting it adequately dry will result in your paint peeling, clumping, and bubbling. It can also result in a different colour than what you intended.

How long can you wait between first and second coat of paint?

There's rarely an issue with waiting too long between coats of standard house paint. While it's typical to recoat within 4-12 hours, some projects allow weeks or even months between coats without any problems. For instance, on larger builds, painters often wait until other trades finish before applying the final coat.

How to fix a patchy paint job?

Re-fill often or if you find yourself applying force to extract paint from the roller. You shouldn't need more than 2 coats of paint to cover the old color unless it's very dark. To cover the sheen problem in your photo's one good coat with a paint and primer should suffice.

Does paint get darker as it dries?

Yes, paint can appear to change colour as it dries due to several factors. The drying process can cause the paint to darken as the solvent or water evaporates, leaving behind the pigments and binders.

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