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.
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.
Here’s the process that professional painters often use to deal with walls that have been marked with crayon or marker:
Before you even think about painting, the first step is to clean the wall.
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.
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.
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:
Applying one or two coats of the right primer ensures that the marks are sealed and won’t seep through your final 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.
You might be tempted to save time by just painting over the marks without cleaning, sanding, or priming. Unfortunately, this usually leads to problems.
Skipping steps might look fine at first, but eventually the marks will show up again, and you’ll end up doing the work twice.
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:
These small steps go a long way in preserving your walls after you’ve invested the time and money into repainting.
For light stains, one coat of primer is usually enough. For heavy crayon or marker coverage, two coats may be necessary.
No, just sand the affected areas. However, if you are repainting the entire room, a light scuff-sand across all walls helps with adhesion.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.