If you’re a parent or grandparent, you probably know the feeling of walking into a room and spotting bright crayon doodles or bold marker streaks on your freshly painted wall. Maybe it’s a mural your child was particularly proud of, or perhaps it’s a permanent marker that your toddler somehow got their hands on. Either way, what once was a clean wall now looks messy, and no amount of scrubbing seems to make it better. For Omaha homeowners, it’s frustrating because your walls set the tone for your home, and marks like these can make even a tidy space feel unfinished or neglected.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve worked with homeowners across Omaha since 1996. In those nearly three decades, we’ve seen it all: crayons, markers, pens, stickers, you name it. Because of that, we know the difference between a quick fix that looks fine for a short while and a long-term solution that holds up. When it comes to painting over walls with crayon or marker stains, it isn’t as simple as grabbing a roller and applying paint. Proper preparation and the right products make all the difference.
In this article, you’ll learn whether you can paint over marks on the wall, the steps required to make sure those stains don’t bleed back through, and why using a high-quality paint is worth it. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to do if you’re facing this situation in your own home and how to make your walls look brand new again.
Can You Paint Over Marks on the Wall?
The short answer is yes, you can paint over crayon and marker marks on your walls, but if you simply roll paint over them without any prep work, those marks are likely to show through.
Crayons are made of wax, which naturally resists paint. Even if you cover the wax with a coat of paint, the surface may still feel uneven or the paint may peel. Markers, especially permanent markers, use strong pigments that can bleed right through standard paint, even after several coats.
So, while it is possible to paint over them, doing it the right way is what will save you from frustration later.
How to Paint Over Crayon and Marker on a Wall
Here’s the process that professional painters often use to deal with walls that have been marked with crayon or marker:
1. Start With Cleaning
Before you even think about painting, the first step is to clean the wall.
- For crayon marks: Use a damp rag with mild dish soap. Sometimes a paste of baking soda and water works as a gentle scrub. Magic Erasers can also help.
- For marker stains: Rubbing alcohol is usually the best way to reduce how much marker pigment is left on the wall. Gently dab, don’t scrub, since scrubbing can spread the ink.
The goal here isn’t to completely erase the marks but to reduce them as much as possible so they don’t interfere with the primer and paint.
2. Sand the Surface
After cleaning, lightly sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper. This helps smooth out any waxy residue from crayons and gives the primer something to grip. If the wall has heavy wax buildup, sanding is especially important because paint won’t stick to wax.
3. Prime With the Right Product
Primer is your best friend in situations like this. A standard wall primer won’t always stop marker or crayon from bleeding through. You need a stain-blocking primer.
Options include:
- Oil-based primers – Excellent at sealing waxy and pigmented stains.
- Shellac-based primers – Very effective at blocking tough stains like permanent marker.
- High-quality stain-blocking waterborne primers – Some newer water-based options perform nearly as well as oil or shellac without the heavy odor.
Applying one or two coats of the right primer ensures that the marks are sealed and won’t seep through your final paint.
4. Paint With a High-Quality Paint
Once the primer is fully dry, it’s time to paint. This is where choosing a high-quality product matters. A paint like Aura by Benjamin Moore offers excellent coverage, durability, and washability, making it especially helpful for families with kids. Not only will it give you a flawless finish, but it will also hold up better against future marks and cleaning.
Cheaper paints may require multiple coats and often lack the durability needed for high-traffic spaces. Investing in a better product upfront saves time and frustration in the long run.
Why Skipping Steps Doesn’t Work
You might be tempted to save time by just painting over the marks without cleaning, sanding, or priming. Unfortunately, this usually leads to problems.
- Crayon wax bleeds through: The waxy base of crayon can cause the new paint to look uneven or create shiny patches.
- Marker pigments resurface: Even several coats of regular paint may not fully hide strong marker pigments. Over time, they can “shadow” through, leaving faint outlines visible.
- Peeling or chipping paint: Without proper prep, the new paint may not adhere well to the stained areas, leading to peeling.
Skipping steps might look fine at first, but eventually the marks will show up again, and you’ll end up doing the work twice.
Preventing Future Wall Marks on Paint
Once you’ve gone through the effort of properly repainting, you’ll likely want to prevent the problem from happening again. Here are a few ideas Omaha families often use:
- Washable paints: High-quality products offer a scrubbable surface, so light marks can be cleaned without damaging the finish.
- Designated art spaces: Giving kids a chalkboard wall or whiteboard easel helps redirect their creativity away from painted walls.
- Clear wall protectors: In high-risk areas like playrooms, a clear wall film can protect the surface.
These small steps go a long way in preserving your walls after you’ve invested the time and money into repainting.
Common Questions About Painting Over Marks on Walls
How many coats of primer are needed?
For light stains, one coat of primer is usually enough. For heavy crayon or marker coverage, two coats may be necessary.
Do I have to sand the entire wall?
No, just sand the affected areas. However, if you are repainting the entire room, a light scuff-sand across all walls helps with adhesion.
Can I just use paint-and-primer-in-one?
Most paint-and-primer-in-one products aren’t strong enough for tough stains like crayon and marker. You’ll get better results using a dedicated stain-blocking primer before applying your paint.
What if the wall is textured?
The process is the same, but cleaning may take more effort to get into the grooves of the texture. Be sure to use a primer that covers well.
Can You Do It Yourself or Hire a Painter?
Some homeowners in Omaha feel comfortable tackling this process themselves. If the marks are small and limited to one wall, a DIY approach can work if you use the right products and follow each step carefully.
For larger areas, or if you’re already planning a bigger interior painting project, hiring a professional painter ensures the best results. Pros have access to top-grade primers and paints, and they know exactly how to handle stain-blocking so you don’t see surprises later.
Why High-Quality Interior Paint Matters
In Omaha homes, especially those with kids or pets, walls go through a lot. High-quality paint like Aura by Benjamin Moore doesn’t just look good; it also performs better in real life.
- Washability: You can clean walls without leaving shiny spots.
- Coverage: Better hiding power over stains and previous colors.
- Durability: Holds up against everyday wear and tear.
When you’ve gone through the effort of cleaning, sanding, and priming over crayon or marker, the last thing you want is to ruin it with paint that won’t last. A strong, long-lasting finish makes all the difference.
Interior Painting in Omaha, NE
Yes, you can, but the success depends on how well you prepare the wall and what products you use. Simply painting over crayon or marker without cleaning, sanding, and priming almost guarantees that the marks will return. With the right steps, plus a high-quality paint like Aura by Benjamin Moore, your walls can look as good as new.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve helped Omaha homeowners handle situations just like this since 1996. If you’re ready to refresh your walls, click the button below to get a quote.
Want to plan your project budget first? Try our interior painting pricing calculator to see what your project may cost.
