Sometimes wall paint gets damaged or dinged, and then you have to go about repairing it. After you have repaired the actual hole in the wall, you obviously have to repaint the area that was damaged. However, you painted that wall over 10 years ago, and you can’t quite remember the exact paint colour match for the wall to touch it up. And you are probably worrying about touch-up paint walls not matching the original paint colour exactly. And now you’re asking yourself: How do I find the exact colour of my wall? Well, there is some good news for you.
In Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), most of the walls are comprised of drywall and the older homes of plaster. So, there is usually a way to get this paint on the walls matched. Read on to find out how to match wall paint for touch-ups.
Here Are Some Tips for Paint Colour Matching of Your Wall Paint
STEP 1: Find the Original Leftover Paint
Most obviously, check your basement or garage for the extra paint. Many times you have stored it but may have forgotten about it. Hopefully, the lid was labelled as well to help you narrow down where the previous colour paint was actually painted. See our blog on “How to Store Paint“ for details on how you can store your paint properly.
Step 2: Determine the Finish Paint
If you don’t have the leftover paint from before, you’re going to need to get a sample from the area. First, you need to determine the finish of the wall paint that you originally used. If you don’t do this, even if you get the right colour for the wall, the paint will not match. See the different finishes below:
- Flat: No sheen/shine at all and the dullest finish paint.
- Eggshell / Low Gloss: Halfway between flat and satin paint. Has a noticeable gloss and sheen but is not too shiny. Washable paint and sometimes scrubbable paint may show surface imperfections as they reflect the most light.
- Satin: Shinier than eggshell paint but lower than semi-gloss paint. The surface is definitely more washable and reflects some light.
- Semi-gloss: A finish with a noticeable amount of gloss and sheen. Very washable and maybe even scrubbable. Shows surface imperfections and reflects noticeably.
- Gloss: This finish paint has a very high degree of sheen and gloss. When applied properly, it gives the appearance of a ceramic or glass finish.
Step 3: Getting a Sample of Wall Paint Colour
After you have determined the finish of your wall paint, you will need to get a sample of the paint colour that is on your wall.
- Find an inconspicuous spot on the wall that you can cut into.
- Using a box cutter, x-acto painter knife or sharp putty knife, cut into the wall and make a square (about 2”x2” inches minimum; the bigger the sample, the better)
- Cut deeply enough that the square won’t break when you peel it off the wall.asd a
- Peel from the top right corner to the bottom left corner. Do this carefully, as you don’t want to break the sample.
Step 4: Deliver Sample Paint Colour to a Professional
After you have acquired your sample, take it to your local hardware or any other paint store in Toronto and give it to the paint colour specialist there.
- Most paint experts will be able to tell the lustre of the paint, and they should be able to paint colour match for you too
- Make sure you bring the sample of wall paint in a plastic bag or envelope to avoid it being lost or damaged
Step 5: Purchase a Similar Colour (as a Last Resort)
There are sometimes rare situations when the paint store is not able to do a paint colour match perfectly for their client. Be aware that this does happen sometimes, especially with brighter, deeper, and neon colours. If it does happen to you, you will have to repaint the entire wall or area with a colour close to it or even a different colour altogether. The best thing to do is bring your chip to a paint store and look at their colour palettes and samples on display.
If this isn’t convenient, then get a big wall paint colour fan deck and bring it home to try to match. It’s best to do this in daylight when the light in the room is the brightest.
If you have followed all of the steps correctly, though, you should have a paint colour matching your original wall colour.
Just A Few Quick Reminders
Before heading straight to your favourite paint shop, there are a few things to consider, such as the lighting. Always remember that light determines how the paint’s colour appears. Light (whether from a window or a fixture) changes throughout the day, impacting colour matching. The type of paint you use also affects how the paint transmits light. Matte finishes take in more light and keep the colour looking relatively consistent. In contrast, the glossier shine is more likely to reflect light. Remember these things, as they are the key to knowing how to blend touch-up paint on walls perfectly.
Check-in with your proprietor to make sure you have the authorization to paint the property if you’re renting your house. Your rental agreement may prevent you from customizing the area with your preferred paint shades. While the property owner may make an exception, make sure to get a written document approval to prevent any issues if and when you eventually leave the house. If you’re just doing some touch-ups, make sure to know how to match the paint colour already on the wall. The property owner or the landlord may also provide precise paint colour matches with paint they already have on hand, along with the best paint brush for wall touch-ups. So better ask and communicate first.
House Owners Have Much More Freedom
When it pertains to painting the interior of their house. They do not need approval before delving into the project. If you’re aiming to colour-match paint for a retouch, dig around in the garage and basement. Initially, previous owners often left cans of paint behind, which might help you avoid “how to fix bad paint touch-ups on walls.”
To resolve touch-up paint walls not matching, one of the very best methods is to get an actual paint strip sample and bring it to a painting professional. It is most likely that touch-up projects might still stand out even if you get the specific colour match and brand of paint. This can occur if the existing paint on the walls is old, has been exposed to sunlight, and does not have a primer or second overcoat. And those who rely on how to colour-match paint from a picture. If this is the case, you might want to consider painting the whole wall instead of just executing touch-ups for the areas of your wall or ceilings.
Many hardware shops and paint manufacturers use spectrometer analysis to determine the colour and shine of your wall’s paint. To utilize this service, you must generate a sample of the paint you wish to match. This sample is generally a physical piece you take from the wall. Like a 1-inch square, you cut the drywall with a knife or cutter. Some stores may be able to evaluate an image taken with your phone. But that might not be as accurate as you would get from a physical sample.
Did you know?
Most of the leading paint brands nowadays have online or downloadable paint apps. This is to assist and guide customers on how to match touch-up paint on walls. You will be required to submit a photo of the paint colour to be matched. The online paint colour-matching scanner will provide its top results for prospective colour matches. You just have to embody the ability to sneak peek and discern the outcomes online before making your order or going to a physical store.
If you’re uncertain what kind of applicator was utilized, rollers are typically considered the very best choice for touch-up painting. Smaller rollers are usually recommended since they offer the highest level of precision. Leading to touch-up wall paint without leaving brush marks.
Direct exposure to paint fumes can trigger vision issues, dizziness, headaches, and eye and lung complications. To combat these hazardous fumes, work in an area with sufficient ventilation by opening any windows and exterior doors in the room. You may also consider getting a fan to let the fumes go outdoors. You also have to wear a face mask or respirator to avoid the fumes.
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If you’re thinking of doing some repair and touch up on your walls but don’t want to do the work yourself, let our interior painters help! Even if you are undecided, professional house painters can help you with any problems or questions you may have.
If the work involved sounds like it involves too much time and energy to do yourself, call 416.494.9095 or email Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com for a FREE quote. And don’t forget to follow us on all our social channels below as well!
