Please help fixing metallic painting nightmare

Renee
by Renee
Hello, I chose a metallic paint for my bedroom and I primed and painted one wall and quickly realized it looked awful, I could see every line and the more I tried to fix it, the worse it got. I looked up youtube videos, bought extender, a special metallic paint roller, special recommended supplies, did techniques recommended, and have done everything recommended and applied two coats and it still looks terrible (see photos). Can anyone help me figure out how to fix this nightmare? Please, I am so upset. Any advice would really be appreciated.
  11 answers
  • Charlenepease Charlenepease on May 04, 2018

    Call the company

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on May 04, 2018

    Hi Renee,

    I agree with Charlenepease. Call the manufacturer and explain what you did. Send them the pictures above. This is definitely not an acceptable finish to show for all of your hard work. Ask them to send a representative to actually look at how the paint dried in your home. You could also use your search feature with the words ' reviews _______ ' Put the company name and type of paint where I put the blank line. You may find that others had the same problem. You also might find how others have fixed the problem. Another possible option, if you have your receipt is to go back to the store where you purchased the paint, explain the results and ask for a refund. Some store guarantee the paint that they sell and this obviously did no perform the way is should.


    I hope that the company will step up and find a resolution to this problem. It's sad that you have worked so hard on this project and had it turn out the way it did. Wishing you the best.

    • Renee Renee on May 05, 2018

      Oh duh, I don't know why I did not even think about this. I will definitely try this as well as the response after yours. Thank you for you and Charlenepease for suggesting. Yes, it has gotten VERY time consuming and expensive for such a terrible result. Thank you for your input-really appreciate it.

  • Sharon Sharon on May 05, 2018

    I do specialty painting for folks, and have done quite a bit with metallics for many years. Pearl is my favorite. I use a 6" foam roller and a wide soft brush. I tint the base primer close to the final metallic finish. I cut around the ceiling, baseboard and window with a brush, then I roll the metallic on in all directions, I can see your roller marks in the one photo. Then I see in another photo I see a streak that looks like its the edge of a roller overloaded with paint..... when you get this you want to use your brush to feather it out going in several directions. Apply metallics going in all directions, as quickly as possible so when the light hits it there are no lines, or overloaded edges. It helps to use a spotlight or lamp on the wall as your doing it, and then move the lamp periodically to find any flaws.

    I will say I also prep my walls with spackle and/or joint compound, and skim coat them if they are in tough shape cause metallics show every imperfection. Make sure you prime twice.

    • Renee Renee on May 05, 2018

      Sharon thank you so much for your input. I will definitely try this. Of course, this is the total opposite of the youtube videos that I watched which said I needed to work on one section at a time, then make sure to go from top to bottom or bottom to top in one stroke,- and definitely NOT the foam roller...sigh. I REALLY appreciate the input. I am going to try to contact the manufacturer and the store too. Thanks!!

  • Bonnie Bonnie on May 05, 2018

    Metallics are going to reflect off of every variation in a surface, therefore you need a perfectly smooth surface to start with. If you don't want to skim coat like Sharon advises, I would suggest painting over it in a rich color that you love with nothing shinier than a satin finish.

  • Kiturah Humphrey Kiturah Humphrey on May 05, 2018

    How about sponging over it. A closely related color, I would also use a metallic.

  • Sharon Sharon on May 06, 2018

    We didn't have YouTube videos when I began painting for clients in the 60s, you had to figure it out for yourself or learn from a master. When I am attempting something new with a specialty paint, I practice on some foam core boards to find what technique works for me with that product.... with metallics its all about how the light hits it.... you want a shimmer that has no direction, brush or roller marks. It should change in apprearance as you move and the light hits it.

    I'm curious what product you used. Did you read any reviews on it?

    • See 2 previous
    • Renee Renee on Jun 14, 2018

      Sharon, you are amazing-thank you so much!! I am calling now

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on May 07, 2018

    I'm with Sharon. I too am a faux finisher. Hopefully the manufacturer will step up to the plate and assist you. Keeping a wet edge during the entire process takes much practice and is very tasking. A simple solution and not too time consuming would be to randomly apply a 'wash' over the existing walls with the same paint using a ball of cheesecloth. (just like washing walls...) I know you can do this. Best of luck.

  • Teacup8885 Teacup8885 on May 14, 2018

    Maybe try sponging it on n try with few different matvhing shades of mettalic! Then there won't b n e lines!!

  • Brenda Golden Golden Brenda Golden Golden on Oct 25, 2022

    I just did this omgod PPG metallics suck and PPG will not help me. The lines are awful I primed twice, I used the proper roller I did everything right. I have been a prof painter for 30 years. I normally use Sherwin metallic and NEVER had this issue. I am so upset right now. What about if I use a sponge and sponge over it all will it look better? Worst paint product everrrrrr

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 04, 2022

    Call the company and tell them what happened. They most likely have dealth with this problem before.