No matter how hard we try to keep our homes in perfect condition, everyday life inevitably leaves its mark in the form of scuffs and scratches. When these blemishes start to mar your walls, you might wonder how to match the existing paint to restore your room to its former glory.
Learning how to touch up paint is a valuable skill, especially for high-traffic areas prone to getting dinged. To help you achieve a seamless touch-up, we consulted experts for their best tips on matching paint already on your walls.
Why Matching Paint Is Challenging
Matching paint colors can be a tricky task for several reasons:
- Aging Paint: Paint color can change over time due to exposure to sunlight and air.
- Batch Variations: Even the same paint color can have slight variations between different batches.
- Finish Differences: Variations in finish (matte, satin, gloss) can affect how the color appears.
- Light Conditions: The way light hits different walls within a room can make the same color look different.
Expert Tips for Matching Paint
1. Bring Home Paint Samples
Using store paint chips is a great way to compare several colors on your wall at once and see how they look under the varying light conditions in your room throughout the day.
This method works especially well if you know the paint brand, but don’t worry if you don’t.
Steps to Follow:
- Start with Color Cards: Hold paint chips directly against your existing paint.
- Order Sample Pots: After you’ve picked the closest matches, paint them directly on the wall or on a piece of wallpaper backing paper. This way, you create your own paint sample that’s more accurate than printed color cards because it shows the actual dried paint color.
2. Use An At-Home Color Matching Tool
A faster way to match paint at home is by using a color matching tool or a smartphone app.
Although a dedicated color matching tool tends to be more accurate, a good quality app can still suggest a variety of colors that might closely match your wall. You can then test these colors at home to find the best match.
Steps to Follow:
- Analyze the Color: Use a small sensor or your phone’s camera to isolate the color.
- Get a Precise Reading: The tool will provide a precise reading of the color, which you can then compare to available paint options.
3. Cut A Paint Chip From Your Wall
It might seem extreme, but one effective way to match the paint already on your wall is to cut a small piece of the painted surface and take it to a paint specialist or store that offers color-matching services.
This approach is usually the most precise for finding a paint match that closely resembles your existing color.
Steps to Follow:
- Score and Remove a Small Sample: Use a sharp utility blade to score and remove a small square of painted drywall in a non-conspicuous area.
- Take the Sample to a Paint Store: Staff will use a spectrophotometer to analyze the chip and match it to their brand’s closest color.
How Accurate Is Paint Matching?
Paint matching can be fairly accurate if it is done by a professional. Using the same brand of paint where possible helps to maintain the same finish and quality.
However, it is important to note that different batches of paint will have slight variations due to differences in pigments and mixing.
Final Touch-Up Tips
- Paint the Whole Wall: To ensure a seamless look, it’s best to paint the whole wall rather than just a small area.
- Light Variations: The way light hits different walls can help trick the eye into seeing a close match as the same color.
- Prepare the Surface: Before touching up, fill any holes or imperfections and ensure the surface is clean.
Matching paint colors may seem daunting, but with the right approach and tools, you can achieve a near-perfect match and keep your home looking fresh and well-maintained.
