Wall paint touch-ups can be a pain, but sometimes they’re necessary if you’re trying to repair a small area or freshen up a faded hue.
But if you like the current color of your wall, you might be wondering how you can match its paint perfectly.
You won’t have to fret any longer because this article will give you five easy methods to color-match the paint on your apartment walls below.
Is it possible to color-match paint?
If you want to repaint your apartment, finding the perfect color match can be a difficult feat since shades can change depending on the light, formula, and brand. It’s even more challenging if the paint has a customized hue since you’ll need to guess its color combination.
Although you’ll need to do a few trials and errors, finding an accurate match isn’t impossible if you know the right methods and use the correct tools to achieve a precise result. Don’t worry, we won’t leave you hanging since we’ll discuss these methods below to help you decide which is most suitable for your project.
How do I find the exact paint color of my apartment?
Color-matching your apartment’s wall paint shouldn’t be as hard as you think. You can choose any of the methods below to help you get the most accurate results:
1. Get a paint chip from the wall
One method of getting a good color match for your apartment wall is to peel a small portion of paint from the surface. Use a small knife to gently remove a paint chip from an inconspicuous area of your apartment. You can also get the paint chip somewhere close to the damage you’re repairing since you’ll cover the area anyway.
Once you secure your sample, take it to your local hardware store, where they’ll scan it through a spectrophotometer. It’s a device that breaks down colors into wavelengths to determine which color combination your wall paint consists of. If you’re lucky, you can get the exact brand and paint color from the store.
2. Use an electronic color sensor
If you’re hesitant about peeling a paint chip from your apartment wall, you can color-match your paint virtually. There are handheld sensors, like the Nix Mini 3, that use the same technology as spectrophotometers to analyze your perfect match. It works with its respective app, so you can see what color it comes up with.
All you have to do is position its sensor on the surface of your wall, and it will analyze its closest paint color.
But if you don’t feel like spending a significant amount of money for a device you might probably use only once, you can also find other color sensor brands online that will match your budget better.
3. Download a color-matching app
Most paint companies have a mobile app that allows you to match your paint color through your smartphone. Each app will have specific instructions, but the main idea is to snap a photo of your wall, and it will come up with the most accurate paint color from the brand.
Download as many apps as you can find so you can test which one gives you the best paint match you’re looking for.
4. Bring home paint swatches
Hardware stores have paint swatches of the colors of the paint brands they carry in their store, so ask if you can get a few samples to take home.
You can then place the swatches next to your wall and find the closest color that resembles your wall paint. Once you find the perfect match, you can return to the store for the exact paint.
5. Snap a picture
Taking a picture of your wall should be quick and easy, but it can sometimes result in an inaccurate paint color since the color of the image can get distorted by the lighting in your apartment and the color settings of your phone. So this is the best option if you don’t mind getting a slight variation on the hue.
This can also be a handy method if you want to change the wall color of your apartment but want to stay in the same shade you have now.
To get the most accurate color of your paint, take a picture of your wall with as much natural light as possible and avoid using flash on the camera to avoid distorting the color.
How to touch up your walls
If you just want to repaint a small portion of the wall, sand the surface before applying a layer of paint. Remember to feather out the paint by drawing out your brush strokes beyond the patched area to create a smooth transition between the old and new paint.
If you need to repaint the entire wall, you can follow the steps below to help you get a smooth finish:
- Clean the wall with a damp cloth to remove stains and dust. This will ensure the paint will adhere better to the surface.
- Repair any cracks or holes with joint compound or spackling, and let them dry completely.
- Once the patches are dry, sand rough areas with sandpaper. This will make it easier to apply paint later since the surface is smooth.
- Wipe the walls again with a damp cloth to get rid of dust and allow them to dry.
- Apply 1-2 coats of primer on the wall. This will provide an added layer of protection and make the paint last longer.
- Once the primer is completely dry, cover the wall with 1-2 layers of paint. Let the first coat dry completely before applying the next one.
Need help with painting your apartment?
If you need help painting your apartment, Soho Painters can help. They have the best team of professional painters in New York, equipped with high-quality tools and materials. They also offer wallpapering and exterior painting services to give your home the makeover it deserves. For questions or inquiries, feel free to reach out to them now.
