The kitchen is one of the busiest spaces in any home, and over time, those walls can take a beating

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From food splatters and grease stains to accidental scuffs from chairs and appliances, your previously fresh kitchen walls might now be looking a little spoiled from wear and tear.  

Luckily, this is nothing a fresh coat of paint won’t be able to fix.

So, to help you bring your kitchen back to life, here are Tips for Repainting Your Scuffed and Stained Kitchen Walls.

1. Clean Your Walls First

Painting over dirt, grease, or stains is a recipe for disappointment.

If you don’t prep your walls properly, the new paint may not adhere well, and stains could bleed through.

So before getting into anything else, you should first give your walls a deep clean.

• Use a mild degreaser or dish soap mixed with warm water to remove grease and food splatters.
• A magic eraser or baking soda paste works wonders for stubborn scuffs.
• For mildew or heavy stains, a mix of vinegar and water or a diluted bleach solution can help.
• Rinse the walls with clean water and let them dry completely before moving on.

2. Clear Your Kitchen Space

Before getting right into your project, you’ll want to clear out your kitchen space first.

Remember that a clutter-free space will make your painting process easier, helping to avoid accidents or spills that could lead to mess.

To do this, you’ll want to:

• Move furniture, small appliances, and decor out of the way to create a spacious work area.
• Cover counters, cabinets, and flooring with drop cloths or plastic sheets to protect them from paint splatters.
• Remove wall-mounted items like shelves, hooks, and artwork to ensure an even paint application.
• If moving large appliances isn’t feasible, use painter’s tape to mask off edges and keep them protected.

3. Get The Appropriate Kitchen Paint

There are different kinds of paint for every surface, including your kitchen surface.

For your kitchen space, you’d need something that can handle moisture, grease, and frequent cleaning.

Here’s what you might consider:

• Satin or semi-gloss finishes are ideal because they’re easier to clean than flat or matte paints.
• Consider using stain-resistant or scrubbable paint to keep your walls looking fresh longer.
• If your kitchen tends to be humid, a mildew-resistant paint can prevent mold from forming.
• Choose a high-quality primer and paint combo if you want to cut down on the number of coats needed.

Picking the right type of paint will make your walls more resilient and ensure they stay looking great even with everyday wear and tear.

4. Use High-Quality Primer

In fixing scuffed and stained walls, using a high-quality primer is essential and mandatory.

Skipping this step might result in the same stains bleeding through your new paint, ruining all your hard work.

In this case, you’ll want to use a stain blocking primer, since these will cover scuffs, grease stains, water marks, and any other stains you might have on your kitchen walls.

If you happen to be switching to a new color for your kitchen, primer will also be helpful in preventing the old color from seeping through your fresh coat of paint.

While yes, applying primer might feel like an extra chore, it will ensure that you won’t be dealing with the same stains and scuffs you were trying to cover up in the first place!

5. Apply Paint with the Right Technique

Even the best paint won’t be able to compensate for bad painting techniques, so you’ll need to make sure that you’re applying paint the right way.

Here’s what you’ll want to do:

• Start with the edges and corners using a high-quality angled brush before rolling the larger sections.
• Use a smooth, even rolling motion to prevent streaks and overlap marks.
• Apply at least two thin coats rather than one thick coat for a more even, durable finish.
• Allow adequate drying time between coats—don’t rush it!

Lastly, be patient with your painting process, since rushing through your paint job can leave you with those pesky paint streaks, uneven paint coverage, or noticeable roller marks.



At New Haven Painters, we offer affordable, reliable, and durable painting services in New Haven, Branford, Milford, Orange, North Haven, West Haven, East Haven, and the surrounding areas for CT. 

Book a FREE estimate below to get started or call us at (203) 606-2346 to talk about your project.

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