Shopping Around For Paint? Here's Why That May Be A Mistake

Finding the right shade of paint for your interior can feel like an uphill battle. Because of this, after painstakingly selecting and purchasing the perfect color, the last thing you want is to head back to the store for another can in the middle of your project. It might seem like a quick fix to grab another can of paint from the nearest hardware store, even if it's not the same place that you originally purchased from, but doing this can lead to some frustrating inconsistencies in your paint job — resulting in mismatched colors or an uneven finish. These minor inconsistencies might not be noticeable until the paint has dried but, once you notice it, it's one of those things that is hard to "unsee."

One of the biggest misconceptions about paint is that having the exact color code guarantees a perfect match, no matter the store. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Even with the same brand, different stores use their own mixing machines, which may not be calibrated identically between stores. These machines are used to mix pigments into the base, producing the color on the swatch. However, any variation in formula, base paint, or machine settings may drastically alter the outcome of your paint, leading to some noticeable difference in color. While a bit of purposeful contrast can tie the design of a room together, these accidental differences can create an unprofessional feeling across an entire wall. If you're aiming for the same color from your walls, consistency is truly the best method. This is why not buying enough for the job is considered one of the top mistakes a person can make when buying paint.

To avoid an unprofessional finish on your interior paint, the best approach is to simply purchase more than enough cans of your chosen shade from the same store at the same time. While this might seem inconvenient and require a bit of extra planning, it can eliminate the need for further trips to the store for paint and possible inconsistencies in color. Furthermore, any future touch-ups to your painted surfaces, whether it's the walls, doors, trim, or ceilings, will be easily managed from your backup paint supply. Whether you're filling a nail hole in your drywall or covering up some scribbles from your children, there are plenty of uses for your additional cans of paint. 

If you ended up doing the math wrong and do run out of paint during your project, the best course of action is to return to the same store that you originally purchased the paint from, bringing a dried stir stick with paint on it and the color swatch. This will help the store mix a closer match than just going off of the paint color code. Some stores also offer custom color-matching technology, like Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap Precision, which can help newer paint better match an existing color. Furthermore, when getting additional paint, ensure that you are always buying from the same paint brand as the original purchase. Different companies employ different base formulas that can drastically alter the finished result. Taking these precautions can help produce a more cohesive finish on your next paint job.