How to Match Paint

You have all seen the commercials, take in the stuffed walrus to Lowes and put it in the matching machine. You could also find an old chip or scrap from your house and they will stick it in the magic machine, easy right? Not so fast.
The color will not be guaranteed and you can't return the paint.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. There are many problems with the methods mentioned above.
   
   1. Those machines are scanning a small segment, just a few millimeters. This lends itself to problems. A fingerprint, smudge, smoke stain, whatever. Measuring one little spot will not give you an accurate color match.
   2. If you go by the old formula on the can you will have fairly good results. However if it has been a few years the color on the wall has changed. Light fades it, Oxidation darkens it, And kids... well EWWWW.
   3. lighting. Not even close. Inside your house is a mite different than the flood lights in the box store.

2. Here is your solution. Take that chip or sample in, and walk past the matching machine. Go up to that huge sample wall and start hunting. Look for the closest thing you can find. Take as many different samples that seem close to what matches. If you are looking more than 15 minutes take a break and let your eyes adjust. Go back and hunt some more. Now that you have found some samples, take them home.
   In your lighting on your wall start comparing. You will find a match. It may take a bit, and once again if you are staring for more than 10-15 minutes take a break.

3. Finally take your match back to the store and have them mix that color. It is guaranteed to match the sample card in your hand. If not they will remix.

4. One last hint... Blending. The edges where you stop and start. Daub with a brush gently. Feathering the new paint over the old.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay attention to sheen. Flat red will not match semi gloss red.
• Let the paint fully dry before making a final judgement call.
• When comparing sample cards to your wall, tape them onto your wall.

[tachic]

on 4/17/2009 Great tips to match paint.

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 2/25/2009 It is amazing how accurate matching paint to anything you want can done know with the help of innovative computerization for making paint colors. Good tips about matching paint in this article

[FrazzledNanny]

on 2/15/2009 Great tips. I have done this a lot lately with us moving into our new home. 5*

[Gardengates]

on 2/15/2009 Excellent advice for matching paint. It really is easy if you DON'T follow the ads and DO follow these instructions!