Painting your walls can be a great way to refresh your space and give it a new look. But what if you want to touch up some spots or repaint a section of the wall, and you don’t know the exact color of the paint? How can you match the paint without having to repaint the entire wall or room?
The Best Way to Match Paint
The best way to match paint if you don’t know the color is to use a paint color matching device or app. These devices and apps can scan the color of your wall and compare it to a database of thousands of paint colors from different brands. They can then tell you the closest match or suggest similar colors that you can choose from.
Paint color matching devices and apps are easy to use and can save you a lot of time and hassle. You don’t have to bring a paint chip or a sample to the store, or guess the color by looking at swatches or online images. You can also avoid buying the wrong color and wasting money and paint.
How to Use a Paint Color Matching Device or App
There are different types of paint color matching devices and apps available on the market. Some are standalone devices that you can buy or rent from hardware stores or online retailers. Others are apps that you can download on your smartphone or tablet. Some paint brands also offer their own devices or apps that are compatible with their products.
To use a paint color matching device or app, you need to follow these steps:
- Clean the area of the wall that you want to match. Make sure there is no dust, dirt, or grease that can affect the color accuracy.
- Turn on the device or app and calibrate it according to the instructions. Some devices or apps may require you to scan a white or black surface before scanning the wall color.
- Place the device or app close to the wall and scan the color. Make sure the lighting is consistent and avoid shadows or glare. Some devices or apps may allow you to scan multiple spots and average the color for better accuracy.
- Check the results on the device or app screen. You should see the name, code, and brand of the closest matching color, as well as other similar colors that you can compare. You can also save the results or share them via email or social media.
- Go to the store or order online the paint color that you want. You can also ask for a sample or a tester to confirm the match before buying the full amount.
Tips and Tricks for Matching Paint
Using a paint color matching device or app is the best way to match paint if you don’t know the color, but there are some tips and tricks that can help you get even better results. Here are some of them:
- Scan the wall color in natural daylight, or use a daylight bulb if you are indoors. Different types of lighting can alter the appearance of colors, so you want to match the color under the same lighting condition as the original paint.
- Scan the wall color in an inconspicuous area, such as behind a furniture or a curtain. This way, you can avoid damaging the wall or creating a noticeable difference in the color.
- Scan the wall color from different angles and distances. This can help you capture the variations and nuances of the color, especially if the wall has a textured or glossy finish.
- Scan the wall color multiple times and compare the results. This can help you eliminate any errors or outliers and find the most consistent and accurate match.
- Scan the wall color with different devices or apps. This can help you cross-check the results and find the most reliable and trustworthy match.
Conclusion
Matching paint if you don’t know the color can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. With the help of a paint color matching device or app, you can easily find the closest or the most similar color to your wall. You can also use some tips and tricks to improve the accuracy and quality of the match. By following these steps, you can touch up or repaint your wall without having to redo the whole room or compromise the aesthetics of your space.