How To Match Paint Colors

Ways to Match House Paint Colors

If you don’t have the original paint that was last used, purchasing new paint will likely not match and result in color inconsistency. In this case, 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 closely matched enough to obtain 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, will decrease color accuracy.

Matching Unlabeled Paint Cans

If the label on the paint can is not visible or has been removed, professional 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.

Matching Exterior Paint 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 them matched.

Finding Similar Paint Samples

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. The formula is then mixed in the paint of your choice.

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.

Painting and Matching Old or Weather Exterior Surfaces

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

Slight variations for 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 containing medium or dark paint colors over 2-3 years old. Smaller, lighter-colored surfaces, such as white trim, are easier to touch up.

Manually Matching Interior Walls

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. Doors are removed to match trim colors; remember to match the door color on the side that receives the most light.

We obtain drywall color samples by taking a blade or knife and making a square 2×2 inch incision into the drywall, peeling the top layer of paper off, and bringing it to our local SW store for matching. A close match ensures that only one coat is required. 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.

Matching 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 dinge 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 other popular white colors, is best to obtain a clean and fresh look.

Recreating Paint Colors from Name or Number

Suppose you only know the color name or number from a specific paint brand and do not know the particular type of paint. In that case, there may be a slight color variation from the original color as each product line varies in raw materials, which take color differently.

New color formulations will also affect the final result. Compounding, trying to match a color in a different product with a new formulation always results in a slight color variation. Paint machine type and calibration will also influence the color.

Mixing Paint from Other Manufacturers

Choosing colors from the brand you intend to use is best for color accuracy. While paint companies can mix and formulate some 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 the same way it was initially. A paint roller causes texture compared to brushing or spraying.

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

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

Paint Colors on An App or Computer

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 what the color looks like online.

Sherwin-Williams Color Visualizer

Apps and programs are excellent tools that help visualize the concept of a 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 Google Play Store and Apple.

Can a Painter Know the Color without a Sample or Reference?

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 could. While knowing the manufacturer helps, confirming a paint color without some reference is impossible.

Color Matching Wood Stains

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.

Should the Homeowner or Painter Match the Paint?

An experienced painter who has a relationship with a local paint store will be able to accurately access the best means of getting the best color match.

A painter who understands paint formulations can also instruct the clerk to add more black or whatever color is needed to resemble the color more if the match is off. However, painters and the store can only work within the constructs of what is provided.

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

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

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.

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.

Paint Store Matching Process

Sometimes, even stores that calibrate and maintain machines don’t get the most accurate match on the first attempt, especially when matching fabric, textured, or uneven surfaces.

We typically drop a color sample off to be matched, allowing them ample time to do what is needed to recreate the color as closely as possible. Just as important as the painter providing the service is the person behind the counter to ensure 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, staff with experience know how much of which colors to add and how it will manipulate the existing 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 determined to be accurate, additional paint can be mixed as needed.

We Will Match the Paint for You

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

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!

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