How to Fix Paint Drips

Clean up Drips on Wet Paint

If you catch the dripping paint while the paint is still relatively wet, you can probably brush out the drip. Try a few brush strokes and see what happens. If this has little effect on the drip or if the paint feels tacky, stop brushing—the paint is already too dry, and any additional brushing will just exaggerate the problem.

Let the Paint Dry

If the paint is tacky to the touch, it's best to let a paint drip (and the surrounding area) dry completely before trying to remedy the problem. If the paint is still damp, the paint may peel up when you try to scrape or sand it, creating an even bigger problem.

Scrape or Sand the Drip

A paint drip creates a raised area that is highlighted by the paint's shininess. Therefore, the first step after the paint has dried is to cut down or sand the raised area. Start by lightly scraping down the drip with a clean scraper, razor blade, or 5-in-1 tool. The less you disturb the surrounding area, the better.

After you've removed the raised portion of the drip, try sanding out the remaining blemish with 220-grit sandpaper. Sand only in the direction of the drip; sanding back and forth, or in the opposite direction of the drip, causes the paint to gum up or flake away, leaving you with a bigger blemish. Take care to sand only the drip itself, avoiding the surrounding paint.

Repair Any Damage

Despite your best efforts, you might scrape or sand too deeply into the paint. If there's a recessed area where the drip was, or if there's any other damage due to your repair efforts, you can fill the area with glazing putty, such as Bondo.

Spread on the putty with a putty knife, then scrape off the excess with a small drywall knife. Let the putty dry, then sand as directed.

Repaint the Area

Once you're satisfied that the drip has been flattened fully, apply another coat or two of paint. Once the paint dries, the blemish should be barely noticeable.