Helping Our Local Customers Match Paint Color Consistency

Paint Color Matching & Variations to Look Out For

If you don’t have the original paint used last, purchasing new paint will likely not match and will result in color inconsistency. Even using the exact same paint on a surface painted over 5 years ago will not blend. In these cases, repainting the entire area is the only way to create a uniform finish. If you like the existing color but do not have a reference and are having the entire area repainted, the color can still be matched closely enough to achieve a very close resemblance.

The most common ways of matching house paint colors include machine scanning or referencing paint labels, color names, or numbers. Replicating paint based on the label provides the best color accuracy because labels reveal the paint type, color name, formula, and location where the paint was mixed.

Paint type, finish, manufacturer, and product line will all affect a paint color. Any changes or deviations from the original mix, including paint store, location, or container size, will decrease color accuracy.

Methods of Matching Paint

Paint Cans

If the label on the paint can is not visible or has been removed, paint stores can use the contents inside to obtain a close replica. However, the paint must have been stored properly to maintain its color and prevent it from drying or freezing.

Manually Samples

If you are repainting the exterior of your house and you don’t know the color or don’t have matching paint cans, it’s best to take a paint chip, trim piece, or piece of siding to a dedicated paint store to have it matched.

The Best Local Paint Stores for Matching Paint

Dedicated SW and BM stores have better-maintained and higher-quality machines that can scan smooth surfaces 1 inch or larger to generate an accurate computer-generated paint formula far superior to that of home improvement stores. However, if you go to a local Lowe’s here in Raleigh, the best stores to visit are the Grove Barton store or the North Maynard store in Cary.

The issues with home improvement stores are high turnover, inexperienced personnel, and improperly calibrated and poorly maintained machines. Often, the paint department is not staffed with a dedicated and knowledgeable person. Plus, even an experienced person can only do what the machine allows.

Ask to have the paint dabbed on the matched sample to ensure color accuracy. Remember, the paint will be a close match but not an exact color, and it cannot be used for touch-ups.

Quantity & Dark Color Color Consistency Challenge

So, here is where things get real tricky. Dark colors are always a challenge for color consistency. Often, 5-gallon containers are different than single gallons. Sometimes the math for the amount of tint does not break down into a single gallon, the same as a 5-gallon container. Additionally, if the machine is not turned down while adding colorant, it can spill out of the can. Even the smallest drop of color loss can cause significant color variation.

We had a full exterior paint project here in Raleigh. We ordered 25 gallons of paint for the siding. All of it came in 5-gallon containers. But guess what, we needed 3 more gallons. So, we ordered 3 more because the paint store did not have any more 5s. Those three gallons of paint were not the same color as the original 5s. So, we had to re-order and repaint the entire exterior wall.

Outdoor Colors on Older or Weathered Raleigh Homes

Color matching old Raleigh homes built in the 90s or downtown homes is the hardest. Even homes that have not been painted for over 5 years can be challenging. It is all about the age and the paint colors. Since dark colors fade, they, too, are virtually impossible to match.

The best place to manually match an exterior color is in the least-weathered area. A shady or covered space will be less weathered, providing the best sample.

Slight variations in exterior paint matches are less noticeable outdoors than inside due to ample natural lighting, large surface areas, and viewpoints primarily taken from afar.

Due to paint color and finish degradation, it’s difficult for painters to touch up large exterior surfaces on homes with medium or dark paint colors that are 2- 3 years old. Smaller, lighter-colored surfaces, such as white trim, are much easier to touch up.

Navigating Unknown & Dated Interior Colors

If you have exhausted your extra wall touch-up paint and don’t know the color, a drywall sample is the best way to get a manual color match. Older homes in Raleigh were built with Duron Paints. However, going to a local SW paint store does not guarantee the right color. Paint colors and formulas are proprietary and can never be fully matched. While SW acquired Duron in 2004, even Duron’s most popular colors, such as One Coat White, are just not the same.

Trim

If you are painting all the trim, it is better to start with a new color that is close to what you have. While the door can easily be taken down to match, you are often taking a sample from a dingy door. We always match on the side of the door that gets the most light. The back side of doors, such as closets, is exposed to dark spaces, which accelerate yellowing.

Walls

A Touch of Color Painting trains all of our painters to obtain drywall color samples by using a blade or knife to make a 2×2-inch square incision in the drywall, peeling off the top layer of paper, and bringing it to our local SW store for matching. Our home store is the Glennwood Avenue store, and they have been consistent in color matching over the past 20 years.

Trying to match a faux finish is nearly impossible and a task we do not attempt. But close solid color wall matches allow us to reduce costs for our clients by requiring only one coat of paint. However, the wall will have to be painted from corner to corner. We always buy extra wall paint so our clients have plenty for future touch-ups.

Ceilings

Ceiling paint can be tricky based on the color and finish. White paint colors are generally easier to work with. However, there are a few considerations if you’re matching a white interior ceiling.

Interior drywall ceilings collect dirt, smoke, and dust. They also get dengue and become yellow over time. So, while taking a drywall match from the ceiling is manageable, it may not provide the best sample.

If you know the finish you want, choosing a new color, such as extra white or another popular white, is best for a clean, fresh look.

Recreating Paint Colors from Name or Number

So, we use a lot of SW paints. And there are now many HGTV colors available at Lowe’s. Some of the colors at Lowe’s are not in dedicated SW store computers. So, if you have selected a color from the HGTV line and are having your house professionally painted, you will need to hand the color sample to them so they can confirm color consistency.

Trying to conjure up a paint color when you only know the color name or number from a specific paint brand and do not know the particular type of paint can cause issues as well. There will be a slight color difference from the original, as each product line uses different raw materials, which take color differently.

Often, paint manufacturers will introduce a new formula for a color. While the color is supposed to be the same, there are subtle differences, especially when compared to the original formulation.

Mixing Paint from Other Manufacturers

Choosing colors from the paint brand you intend to use is best for color accuracy. While paint companies can mix and formulate select colors from other brands, there will also be a slight variation from the original color.

For example, if you use Behr paint, it’s best to choose their colors. The same applies to other brands, such as Valspar, Ben Moore, PPG, and so on.

Tips For Color Consistency

• Make sure the finish is the same.
• Check to see if the color is obsolete or has changed.
• Ensure the paint type is not discontinued.
• Don’t try to match paint colors from other brands if you’re trying to touch up or prioritize color accuracy.
• Having paint mixed in the same quantity (1 gallon vs. 5 gallons) will increase the chances of an accurate match.

Painting Methods Influence Paint Colors Too

Another way to increase the chances of a better match is to apply the paint in the same way it was initially applied. A paint roller creates more texture than brushing or spraying.

Using a paint sprayer at high pressure can also alter paint color, especially with dark colors. So, if you plan to spray paint, back-rolling is a good practice, as it will allow future touch-ups with a brush or roller.

Following the basics is often overlooked as well. When blending in a touch-up, make sure the paint is thoroughly shaken. Shaking the paint will also make it spread more consistently.

The Deception of Paint Colors on Apps and Computers

If color accuracy is not needed, apps and computer illustrations may be a good fit, saving time and a visit to the paint store. Monitor settings and screen accuracy will significantly influence how the color appears online.

Apps and programs are excellent tools for visualizing color change. They allow users to upload pictures and apply colors to various areas. However, we don’t recommend using apps for color matching. Sherwin-Williams’ ColorSnap App is the most popular program on the Google Play Store and the App Store.

The Challenges of Wood Stains

A painter with a good eye may get lucky and is certainly more likely to guess a color by looking at it than an inexperienced person would. While knowing the manufacturer helps, confirming a paint color without some reference is impossible.

Matching stain is another tall task that most people have unrealistic expectations of achieving. Wood variations combined with wood age make matching wood stains virtually impossible.

Realistic color-matching goals are always best tempered with an expectation of getting a close match, not an exact replica. Imagine trying to match a piece of mahogany to a piece of oak. One wood is naturally darker and redder without applying the first coat of stain.

Solid-color stains like paint will cover all wood grain, but semi-transparent or other translucent stains are always affected by the wood’s natural color.

The Client vs. Local Painters’ Access & Abilities

An experienced painter who has a relationship with a local paint store will be able to accurately assess the best way to achieve the best color match.

Our painters understand paint formulations and can also instruct the clerk to add more black, or whatever other color is needed, to better match the color if the match is off. However, painters and the store can only work within the constructs of what is provided, even at the best paint stores.

Some paint colors require the specific manufacturer to mix them correctly, and these proprietary colors cannot be replicated by other vendors. This is common with popular Farrow & Ball colors and other companies.

Testing to See if It’s Water-Based vs. Oil-Based

There are a few tricks for testing the surface to see if the paint is water-based. The easiest way to test a surface is with denatured alcohol. Here is how to test.

1. Wearing gloves, pour a small amount of denatured alcohol on a white rag or cotton fabric.
2. Then, rub the cloth onto the painted surface.
3. If the paint comes off, it’s water-based. Denatured alcohol will not remove paint that is not water-soluble.

Tip: Testing with denatured alcohol will damage the surface. So, test on a less noticeable area.

Determining Paint Type and Surface Needs

Using the appropriate paint type is just as crucial as accurate color matching. So, make sure you purchase the proper paint type according to what you are painting.

Additional Considerations

• Proper Prep When Painting Water-Based Over Oil
• Quality Acrylic House Paint Improves Durability & Performance.
• Dedicated Metal Paint on Metal Surfaces
• Never Use Interior Paint Outdoors

Extra steps may be needed if the paint brand, product line, or paint type differs. However, choosing paints with the same solvents does not guarantee their compatibility.

For example, painting over a waterborne alkyd with cheap interior acrylic water-based paint without sanding or priming will result in adhesion issues. Proper paint preparation and product experience are critical when painting unpainted and damaged surfaces or transitioning from one paint type to another.

Allowing Time for A Better Match

Sometimes, even the best local paint stores often will not get the most accurate match on the first attempt, especially when matching fabric, textured, or uneven surfaces.

We typically drop off the sample, giving them ample time to recreate the color as closely as possible. Just as important as the painter providing the service is the person behind the counter, who ensures a good match. So, yeah, please don’t drop it off with the new guy!

Sherwin-Williams does the best job of color matching by far. However, experienced staff know how much tint to add and how it will affect the paint color.

If you have a larger order, it’s best to start with a gallon, which is easier for the person mixing the paint to manage. Once the color match is confirmed accurate, additional paint can be mixed as needed.

Let us Match the Paint for You

When you hire us for your painting services, we handle paint matching so you don’t have to, ensuring the best possible outcome.

We will get the job done if we have to remove a small piece or match an entire door or shutter. We are a full-service Raleigh Painter that eliminates the hassles and provides the certainty you deserve! Call us for premium hands-free service today! 919-426-4928