How to touch up wall paint without it showing

You dab paint on a scuff, it dries, and now there's a patch that's more noticeable than the scuff ever was. Painters call it "flashing." It's fixable, and it almost always comes down to one of five things.

1. Match the color exactly

Even "white" comes in dozens of shades. The best match is the leftover paint from when the wall was painted. Store it in a small sealed touch-up bottle so it doesn't dry out in the can. Lost the can? Get the color matched from a photo.

2. Match the sheen

Sheen matters as much as color. Walls are usually flat or eggshell. Trim, doors and cabinets are usually semi-gloss. Semi-gloss paint on a flat wall will catch the light and show, even in the perfect color.

3. Use less paint than you think

A thick blob dries raised and shiny. Use a light coat and add a second thin coat if needed.

4. Feather the edges

Don't paint a neat square. Brush or roll lightly past the mark and soften the edges outward so there's no line where new paint meets old.

5. Use the right tool

• Brush for small chips, edges, trim, corners and next to light switches. Brush bottle →
• Roller for larger scuffs on flat walls; a roller texture blends better with rolled walls. Roller bottle →

Special cases

Marker, crayon or water stains: prime with Stain Blocker first or they'll bleed through.

Nail holes or dents: fill and sand before you paint. Wall Repair Kit →

Cabinets and trim: use a hard semi-gloss enamel that stands up to wiping. Cabinet & Trim Enamel →

Always test first

Try a small spot somewhere hidden, like behind a door, and let it dry fully before judging. Paint often looks different wet than dry.