house painting touch-ups
A smudge, a scrape, or a stain on your wall may not seem like a big deal to you, but to anyone visiting your home, it will stand out as a noticeable difference from the rest of the paint. If you’re in a hurry or on a budget, it’s tempting to skip the repainting and simply touch up the affected area with the same color that’s already on the wall. Unfortunately, this often fails to disguise the touch-up and can even make it look worse! The problem is that the sheen (or finish) of paints from different manufacturers can differ significantly, and this can draw attention to a painted spot. In addition, the effectiveness of a touch-up depends on how well the new paint blends with the existing color in both color and texture.
If you want to avoid repainting and simply cover a small area of your wall house painting, there are several ways to match the color and achieve the best results. The most precise option is to take a sample of your existing wall or piece of furniture into a local hardware store or paint shop for color matching. A professional can use a spectrophotometer, a scanning device that analyzes your surface and matches it with an in-store inventory of available colors.
The second best method is to use a color-matching app on your smartphone. Most paint companies offer free apps that can be used to scan a piece of furniture or room and identify the closest match. This is probably the easiest and most convenient method for most people, but it is important to remember that the color on your screen can vary depending on your phone’s settings, resolution, and brightness. It’s also important to test the app in natural light and under artificial lighting, since the color of your wall can change dramatically with different lighting conditions.
Can you match existing colors for house painting touch-ups?
Lastly, if you don’t have any unused leftover paint and are in a hurry, it’s possible to find an approximate match by taking a picture of the item with your smartphone and showing it to a painting professional at your local paint or hardware store. They can use a spectrophotometer or similar device to get the most accurate results, but this will be more expensive than simply buying a full can of paint.
Choosing the right type of paint is equally important. Exterior paints need to withstand harsh weather conditions such as rain, sunlight, and temperature fluctuations, while interior paints should be durable enough to withstand everyday wear and tear. Additionally, selecting the appropriate finish—whether it’s matte, satin, or glossy—can impact both the aesthetic appeal and the ease of maintenance.
It’s also worth noting that if you hire a house painting contractor to perform the job, they will likely expect you to play a role in the prep work, which may involve moving furniture and removing switch plates and outlet covers. Be sure to discuss this with your prospective painting contractors before signing a contract, as the amount of preparation you’re willing to do could affect how accurately they can match an existing color.