You don’t need to hire a professional to match paint color on walls. The surprising thing is most people don’t know that when done right this can save you a tremendous amount of money and time. In fact once you follow this simple process you will not be able to tell the spot on your wall that got painted. Now let’s walk through the simple process of matching paint on walls.
There are two main methods to let you match paint color on walls. The first way is going to be a lot less “work” on your part, but will cost more money. I also must say that for both of these methods it is recommended to paint the entire wall, rather than the small section that needs to be patched.
How to Match Paint Color on Walls Method 1:
The first, and easiest method to match paint on walls is to use a paint matching app. The Nix Mini 2 is an awesome system for doing this. The devise syncs up to an app you load on your smartphone. After scanning the surface you are trying to match, the app will show you some choices from major paint brands that are close to what you want.
It would be a good idea to use this device at multiple times throughout the day. There will be subtle differences in the amount of natural light in a room at the morning, afternoon, evening and night time hours. Use the Nix Mini 2 on the same wall in the same location at these four times to get an accurate look at what the different light qualities might do.
Just keep in mind that these choices are not going to be exactly what your wall looks like. Paint colors change in the room over time, causing them to not look exactly like they once did. For this reason it’s recommended to paint an entire wall, instead of just a patch.
Another cool way to use this device is if you have a piece of furniture, or something else you are trying to match the paint color on. This is an easy way to pick a paint that will let you have multiple pieces of furniture that match each other.
How to Match Paint Color on Walls Method 2:
Step 1: Find an inconspicuous location on your wall
This can be an area that’s not typically seen on a day-to-day basis. Try behind a piece of furniture like a couch or end table that’s in a corner. You want the spot to be close to the floor. This is because our eyes are not typically drawn to this location.
Step 2: Cut a two inch square in the surface of the drywall
Use a razor blade to cut a two inch square in the drywall. It doesn’t need to be exactly two inches. Don’t go all the way through the drywall. Just score it deep enough to cut through the paper on the surface of the wall.
Step 3: Pull off the top layer of the drywall where you cut
Try to get the surface layer of paper off the drywall in one piece. This layer has the paint you will be color matching. You want to keep it intact as much as possible for this process to work.
Step 4: Take the sample to a paint store
Take this sample to a paint store that has a color matching machine. They will be able to put the sample into the color matching machine. This gives them the exact color combination of your wall paint.
This is the most accurate method of matching paint on walls. It uses a technology that the paint shops have to tell exactly what the color combination is of any paint.
If you don’t want to cut into your wall there are some alternative options. These are not as accurate as the process listed above, but can be helpful.
Alternative Ways to Match Paint:
- Take a Digital Picture Of the Color of Your Walls
Although not the most accurate, this can be a good option when in a pinch. Take your photo to a paint store to compare it to their color choice selection. Just remember this isn’t going to be a completely accurate method because different times of day can have different levels of light in the room. This can show a difference between your old paint color and the new one you choose.
- Bring a Selection of Color Swatches Home
You will need to go to the paint store to pick up a selection of color swatches. It’s helpful if you take a picture of the wall you are trying to match before you go. Tape the swatches to the wall, leaving them up for at least a day. At different times of the day take a look at them to see which one is closest.
- Download a Paint Matching App
Smartphones have apps for everything these days. And that includes paint matching apps. Many of the big name paint companies have apps that work with your smartphone. You will want to use natural lighting to get the best result.
- Purchase The Nix Mini 2
Try using a color scanning tool like the Nix Mini 2 Color Sensor to get a close match to your paint color. It uses the color sensor tool and your smartphone to scan any item you want to match the paint color of. You are not limited to wall paint, but rather your options are limited by your imagination.
FAQ:
Can paint be matched exactly?
Technology has made it possible to get an accurate match on the majority of the paint color options. But not all paint colors can be matched exactly. There are some companies that use recycled paints, making it difficult to match the exact color combination. This can leave your walls looking patchy and blotted. It’s best if you know what type of paint was used in the room before you try matching it.
How can I match an existing paint color?
The best way to match an existing paint color is to get a sample from the wall to match. Take this sample to a paint store that has a color matching machine. Follow the above steps to learn the best way to do this.
How do you get a paint sample off a wall?
To get the sample off the wall you will need a razor blade, or other sharp knife. Cut a two inch square on the surface of the wall without going through the drywall completely. Remove the top layer in one piece.
Can home depot match paint from a picture?
Paint departments like the one at The Home Depot can get a close match to the color in a picture. They are limited to the selection on their paint swatches which may not be an exact match to the color in the picture.
When you want to know how to match paint color, I want you to know it’s easy to do and will save you a lot of hassle. Follow these simple steps to match the paint color on your walls with accuracy.
I hope this article helped you out. I will catch you in the next one.
Happy Woodworking
-Kevin