- 1). Locate the original paint used for the wall in question. If the original paint is not available, use a chip or other sample of the wall paint to color match. Most major home improvement stores will be able to reproduce the paint sample.
- 2). Read the outside of the paint can to find the thinner or other method of dilution as recommended by the manufacturer. Use the appropriate additive, usually paint thinner, to cut the paint by 10 to 15 percent. This process of dilution will mimic the natural fading and aging of paint on the wall and make the touch-up spots far less noticeable, says paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams.
- 3). Place your drop cloth beneath the area you plan on painting to avoid dripping paint onto the floor or other surfaces. Apply a small amount of paint to the center of the affected area using your sponge paint applicator. Lightly dab the paint outward from the center until you reach the edges of the affected area. The thickness of the paint at the center should match that of the rest of the wall. The thickness of the paint at the edges should diminish so that it fades into the existing paint.
- 4). Wait at least 24 hours for the newly applied paint to dry and fade into its true color. Closely inspect the touched-up areas to see if they remain noticeable. If so, perform the same process a second time.