How to Save Money on Paint

Buying cheap, low quality paint isn't a bargain in the long run, if it starts peeling and fading outside or washes right off the walls when you clean them. It's possible to find great deals on good quality paint and paying more doesn't necessarily mean you will get a better product.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. How much paint do you need? If you just need to paint a single room, think "mistints." When the store makes a mistake in tinting custom colors, they can't put that paint back on the shelf. Every place that sells paint, from paint stores to big box hardware stores, will sell "mistinted" paint for very little money, and often there is a wide selection.

2. If you see a color you like but it is too dark, buy a gallon of similar paint in white and mix them together to get your desired shade. Remember you can mix paints together as long as they are the same base (oil or water.) You can even mix paints of different sheens together, like flat and semi gloss, which would get you a satin finish.

3. Check the Sunday paper and online for manufacturers coupons and sales. In spring time, many stores put their exterior paint on sale. In fact ask the store if they have upcoming store sales. You will really kick yourself if you pay full price for 20 gallons of paint and find it goes on sale for 30% off the following week.

4. If you know people in property management or the building trades, ask if they will get paint for you using their professional discount. This can be a considerable savings, the store will get a sale they otherwise wouldn't have and since professional pricing tiers are based on the amount bought, it's really a win-win situation.

Tips & Warnings

• When mixing paints together, be very thorough. Pour it back and forth between two large buckets and keep mixing until you are absolutely sure it's all consistent.
• Sometimes you have to ask for mistints, especially at regular paint stores. You might get lucky and find they have mistinted a huge order of paint in just the right color for your whole house.
• Ask friends and neighbors what paints they've had really good luck with, and what hasn't worked out for them.
• Don't buy rock-bottom cheap paint unless you have some assurance it will be worth it. Your savings will disappear if you have to do a whole extra coat, or if it starts peeling off the side of your house in a year.

[FabHelper]

on 3/7/2008 It never occurred to me to mix the paint...thanks!

[only1special1]

on 2/28/2008 Great tips!