How to Change a Base Color Paint
Most any home improvement store will alter the base color of paint for you. However, many people are surprised to learn that they can change the tone of base color paint themselves. Whether you're a die-hard do-it-yourselfer or you're just looking to avoid an extra trip to the store, you can alter the base color of your paint by utilizing a very simple technique. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Power drill
- Mixing paddle with a 20- to 30-inch shaft
- Five-gallon bucket
- Secondary color of paint
Instructions
-
-
1
Pour the base color paint into the five gallon bucket filling it to about 1/3 capacity.
-
2
Attach the mixing paddle to your power drill and plug the drill in if you do not have battery power.
-
-
3
Add about a pint of the secondary color of paint to the base color paint in the five gallon bucket.
-
4
Insert the mixing paddle about half-way into the paint. Start the drill on low. Turn the drill up to medium and then up to high.
-
5
Raise the drill 1 inch as it spins, then lower it 1 inch. Repeat this action for about five minutes or until the paint looks thoroughly mixed.
-
6
Repeat steps three, four and five until you reach the desired color.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
There are three ways you can change a base paint's color. You can either lighten it, darken it, or change it completely. All three options entail the same process. Basically, you'll be changing a paint's color by mixing in paint of a different color. To lighten the color of paint, you can simply add white paint. To darken or alter the color of the paint completely, you'll need to add the specific appropriate secondary color of paint. If you're unsure what colors to mix together to get the effect you want, consult the color chart located in the resource section below.
Although almost any power drill can be used to mix paint, spade handle power drills are generally best suited for this type of project.
Never attempt to mix paint colors with a simple wooden stir stick or you will end up with streaking.
Be sure the drill is off before you remove the mixing paddle from the paint or you will create a considerable mess.
Never mix latex paint with oil-based paint as this will ruin both paints. Also, it's generally not a good idea to mix paints of a different sheen. For instance, you shouldn't mix flat paints with glossy paints as this can lead to streaking.
