How To Colour Match Paint

Colour matching is the process of selecting a specific colour to match existing paint shades in your home or that you’re inspired by. This can be an arduous and time-consuming process, especially when you don’t know what you’re doing.
 
However, there is a wide range of techniques you can use to ensure your DIY paint project runs smoothly. Here are five tips on how to colour match paint: 

Colour swatches are particularly useful when you want to colour match with an existing painted surface, or if you want to match a specific colour or fabric. They consist of diverse colour palettes that display a variety of shades of the same colour. You can retrieve colour swatches from your local paint store or online. This process simply requires you to hold the colour swatch to the surface you want to colour match with and swap out the palette colours until you find the best fit. Be sure to factor in the influence of natural light on the appearance of colours.
 
It’s important to note that local paint stores or big-name brands may not offer the same paint colour as the one you’re looking for, which means that the colour swatches may not completely match your existing décor. For this reason, colour swatches are most beneficial if you’re willing to be slightly lenient when it comes to the final colour selection. 

A spectrophotometer is a technical device that scans painted surfaces and calculates their pigment values. This information can then be used to find the closest matching paint colour. It’s essential that your colour sample appears on a smooth and clean surface when using a spectrophotometer. This is because shadows or varying textures can impact the accuracy of the device.
 
Although you can purchase these devices for at-home use, they are primarily used by colour consultants or paint professionals who understand pigmentation values. 

Local paint providers usually sell touch-up or sample size cans so that customers can avoid paying full price for experimental work or small projects. You can use sample cans to paint a small area of the surface you want to colour match with. We recommend choosing a spot that is out of view and that has good lighting. Be sure to let the paint dry before making your final decision. 

Some DIYers find it most beneficial to remove a sample of paint from their service and take it into the paint store with them. Here are some ways you can do this depending on what surface you’re dealing with:
 

• Doors: Remove a door hinge that has been painted and take it to the store. You can also remove a sizeable amount of flaking paint from the surface and use that as a good indicator. This needs to be approximately the size of a 50-pence piece.
• Render: Simply chip off a loose piece of render and take it into your paint store for colour matching.
• Gyprock ceilings and walls: Cut off a piece of gyprock face using a Stanley knife. Make sure the piece is approximately the size of a 50-pence piece. You will need to patch fill the hole after doing this.
  

Consulting a local paint store for expert help and advice is the best option when it comes to colour matching paint. We have a wealth of knowledge that allows us to make accurate recommendations and use specialist techniques to colour match your paint. You can aid the process by providing us with a paint sample or by calling us out to your property.
 
For expert colour matching services, contact Wix Painting Services today on 0427 416 313 or email us at admin@wixpainting.com.au.