Matching existing wall paint schemes can be daunting or tricky, particularly when the original paint color formula is long forgotten or is nowhere to be found. Matching a paint color that’s already on a wall is a time-consuming process particularly when you have no paint formula or leftover paint can. However, it’s not the end for you because there are ways to find the exact match.
Whether you want to repaint your wall with the existing scheme or looking to fix patchy areas with a new coat, this guide by Interior Painting Services is going to be helpful for you. Through some strategic tips, you can search for the exact match even if you don’t have the paint name or formula.
8 Interesting Options To Find The Perfect Paint Match For Wall
Although leftover paint can be used to repaint your walls, if finished, and you don’t have a record of the color, you can achieve a seamless finish by following some tricky tips. Let’s proceed with it!
1. Remove A Sample From Your Wall
One of the reasonably easy options to get the exact match is to collect the sample from an existing wall. If you have drywall, it is going to be easy for you. Take a craft knife and cut the paper layer of the drywall about 4 by 4 inches. Select the obscure area and cut out the sample in a square shape. Show it to a specialist or take it to the nearby store to get an idea of the exact finish. In this way, you are going to wind up with the same match. After that, patch the area using some spackle, then sand, smooth, prime, and touch up for an ideal outcome.
2. Use An Electronic Color Matcher
A spectrophotometer was the best tool to help with the perfect color identification or evaluation. However, now you can purchase handheld color analyzers like DataColor and ColorReader that tell you about the color tone with accuracy. This tool can be used with an app and you just have to press the sensor against the wall to test the surface you are trying to find a match for. The color analyzer uses its own light while blocking all external light sources. That way, you can find the more clear and precise picture that will be uploaded into the app and the app will tell you the right tone.
3. Use A Paint Matching Smartphone App
Paint manufacturers suggest using the smartphone app which is helpful in analyzing the color. These smartphone-featured apps make you use your phone camera to inspect the right paint color. Also, these apps will suggest and help you locate the closest match from their paint line. This is the most convenient option to get the approximate match efficiently depending on the lighting conditions and camera quality. After downloading the app, you can get the perfect simulation of color matching with the existing scheme.
4. Go With Paint Chips
Another helpful idea in this regard is to get the paint chips from local store that could help you find your desired tone. Aside from scraping or using a cutter knife, you can collect some chips from the peeled off or flaky paint and wrap them in a plastic sheet or fold them in the paper. Then take this chip to a local paint store nearby to evaluate the color. The staff will guide you with the color scheme using the spectrophotometer. In this way, you can get the coolest color of that specific brand. This method requires a lot of precision but it definitely worth it to get the desired results.
5. Look From Paint Swatch Book
If you have an eye for a specific color but are unable to find it because of no record of the paint formula, checking for swatches can be the right option for you. You can either borrow or purchase a swatch book from a store that has a lot of colors. After you get, hold them against the wall in the light hours of the day to get a good lighting effect. With this hands-on comparison that requires no rocket science, you can find the accurate match for your space.
6. Visit A Store For Color Matching
Visiting a store for color matching can be another useful tip to get your dream paint on the walls. To show the paint shop owner, it’s not necessary to show paint chips or swatches, rather you can bring a photo, tile, or even a piece of fabric to identify the paint can that closely relate to your search. A picture of the desired color can be showcased to the retailer for matching purposes. This is the accurate method until or unless you go to the market or store with the equipment that is properly calibrated.
7. Repaint The Affected Wall From Corner To Corner.
If none of the above techniques or tips work out for you, don’t think like it’s the end of the world. Because there’s another hack of repainting the wall from one to another corner. Using this trick, you can get the desired wall finish in your rooms without getting the entire space repainted. With color match paint, you can get a seamless finish with the slightest difference in color tone that is undetectable. This is the cost-effective way of getting the desired results out of your wall painting services.
8. Consult With A Professional
Consultation with a professional painter or color consultant is another useful way to find an accurate paint color match. It can be more expensive than DIY jobs but contacting a local painting company can help you with collecting information. When reaching out to them, just tell them about the original paint’s brand, name, or color code and leave the rest on them. Experts use tools like color matching devices to let you get the desired result for your paint. Going with this approach can help you save time and effort
In The End
Matching the perfect wall paint color with the existing scheme may seem challenging and tricky, but with the right techniques and tools, it’s possible to achieve a seamless and desired finish. A paint chip and a smartphone app can be used to match the perfect color. Also, a professional’s help is recommended to get accurate outcomes.
Each method or approach has its own pros and cons. The key is to be patient with each methodology or tip, ensuring that the new paint ideally blends with the existing wall tone. With our aforementioned comprehensive tips and ideas, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle your next painting project with utmost precision, enjoying presentable decorations for the long term.
