How To Tint Your Own Wall Paint Like A Pro

A well-chosen paint color can tie a room together and refresh an older space. Choosing a shade from a sea of options sounds easy, but even with the number of possibilities, you may not find your desired paint color. If you find yourself at a loss, with the perfect shade in mind, it's time to do it yourself. With the right components, you can tint your paint like a pro at home. Mixing colorant with base paint will allow you to create a shade that properly suits your vision.

Tinting paint yourself can also be a cost-effective option. Rather than purchasing multiple cans of pre-tinted paint, you can buy a large can of base paint and mix in the colorant as needed; after all, designer paints and limited colors are typically more expensive. Attempting to color match at home is not only cheaper, it's a fun art project, too. Blending your own shade gives you total control over the color, and it doesn't take an industrial mixer.

Creating a custom paint color is the best way to curate a specific interior design. Though many paint shades are on the market, you may still need to mix your own. Tinting your own paint is also cheaper than buying some premium paints. You can still look at paint swatches at your local hardware store for inspiration and guidance. You'll need to stop there any way for the base paint and colorant.

The colorant is an additive that combines with the white base paint to create a new shade. You may find a colorant perfect for your project, or you may need to mix a few. Most colors can be created by adding certain amounts of primary and secondary colors. When choosing the colorant for your desired paint, consider if the hue leans in one particular direction. For example, lilac would need more blue than red and more red than green. Blending the right amounts of colorant could be a time-consuming task, but if you go slow, and add pigment little by little, you're more likely to get the exact color you want.

Tinting wall paint yourself gives you the opportunity to create a custom color. To get started, you'll first need a base paint. The base paint should include the finish you want. For example, choose a matte finish if you want your color to have no shine. You'll also need a colorant to achieve the desired shade. A colorant is something you can blend with a base paint. There are powder pigments like mica, paint, and dye options, all of which can be mixed with the paint. You'll likely need multiple colorants to make the exact shade you want. Lastly, you'll need deep bowls for mixing and a paint mixer or stir stick. An electric mixer will make the process much smoother, but this method can be done by hand.

Always consult the colorant instructions before mixing the paint. Typical instructions are similar, but it's better to be safe than sorry. If your colorant can be added by typical means, begin by pouring base paint into a clean container. Those intending to use an entire can of paint may mix the colors within the can itself. Next, add the appropriate amount of colorant per package instructions. Keep in mind a little pigment goes a long way. Then, use the paint mixer or stir stick to thoroughly blend the colorant and base paint. Add more colorant as needed until you have the perfect custom color.