Repainting your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to transform a space, whether you want a modern look or something that reflects your personality. Mixing custom paint colours can give you that personalised touch and save you money by reusing leftover paint.
This guide will show you how to mix your paint colours successfully, with step-by-step instructions, tips, and recommendations to achieve the best results.
Let’s get straight to the point
Mixing custom paint colours is a cost-effective way to personalise your home and reuse leftover paint. To do this successfully, gather essential tools like a paint stirrer, white paint, a colour wheel, and colourants.
Always mix paints of the same type (latex with latex, oil-based with oil-based) and avoid combining oil and water-based paints. You can lighten paint by adding white, darken it with black or grey, and intensify or tone it down using complementary colours.
First, test your mixtures on small areas and maintain consistent ratios for larger batches. Stick to the same paint brand for a smoother blend, and avoid outdoor paint for indoor projects.
Stir the paint thoroughly to ensure even colour distribution, but don’t overmix to avoid air bubbles. Finally, use custom paints on lower-traffic areas like accent walls or furniture to ensure durability.
How To Prepare To Mix Your Paint?
Before mixing paint, you’ll need to gather a few essential tools and materials. Being organised will help ensure a smooth process and prevent costly mistakes.
Materials Needed:
- Paint stirrer or drill attachment: These tools are crucial for achieving an even mixture.
- White paint: Make sure the finish of the white paint matches your primary paint.
- A colour wheel: This will help you understand how to adjust the hue of your paint effectively.
- Latex or acrylic colourants: These are used to alter the paint’s shade.
- Measuring cups: These will help you maintain consistency in your colour mixtures.
When it comes to mixing, it’s important to remember that you should only blend paints of the same type. Always match latex with latex and oil-based paints with oil-based ones.
Mixing different paints, such as oil and water-based, will lead to a lumpy, unusable mess.
Key Rules For Mixing Your Paint
1. Never Mix Oil-Based And Water-Based Paints
This point cannot be stressed enough: oil-based paints cannot be mixed with water-based paints. Doing so will result in poor consistency, with the paints separating rather than blending.
You will also need help with coverage when applying the mixed paint to your walls.
2. Lightening Your Paint Colour
One of the most common reasons for mixing paint is to lighten an existing colour. This is done by adding white paint to your base colour.
The ratio of white paint to your base colour will determine how light the final shade becomes.
Steps To Lighten Paint:
- Start with white paint as your base and gradually add your colour in small amounts.
- Mix thoroughly after each addition so the colours blend evenly.
- Keep testing until you reach the desired lightness.
White paint is also an economical way to “stretch” your paint. If you have extra white paint from a previous project, you can use it to dilute darker colours and save money on your project.
Pro Tip: For best results, always mix in small batches first. This way, you can fine-tune the shade before committing to larger quantities.
3. Darkening Paint Colours
On the flip side, you might need to darken a paint colour. This is done by adding either black or grey colourant, depending on how dark you want the final colour to be.
Tips For Darkening Paint:
- Black works well for deepening dark shades, while grey should be used for lighter colours.
- Add small amounts at a time, as black can quickly overpower the base colour.
- If you’re working with pastels, black will dramatically change the saturation with just a tiny amount.
However, it’s important to avoid making drastic changes. For example, it’s nearly impossible to turn a light pastel shade into a deep navy without using a lot of colourant, and the result may still not be what you’re looking for.
4. Adjusting The Intensity Of Your Paint
Sometimes, you can make a paint colour more intense and vibrant. This is easily done by adding more of the base colour or using a colourant that enhances the vibrancy of the shade.
For instance, to brighten a muted green, simply add more green colourant. Or, to add a lively touch to a neutral shade like tan, you could add a bit of yellow or orange.
- Brightening Tip: Be mindful of how much colourant you add, as it can significantly alter the tone of your paint.
5. Toning Down A Colour
If a paint colour is too bright for your liking, you can tone it down by adding its complementary colour. Complementary colours mute each other when mixed, resulting in a more neutral or subdued tone.
Example:
- If you’re working with a vibrant yellow, adding a small amount of violet will make the yellow appear more sophisticated.
Toning down bright colours is especially useful to create a soft, refined look without completely changing the base colour. Be sure to add complementary colours incrementally and mix well after each addition.
6. Changing The Hue Or Undertone Of Your Paint
You may want to adjust the hue or undertone of a paint colour rather than completely change its shade. To do this, add small amounts of primary colours to your base.
For example:
- Adding yellow to green will create a warmer, mossy green.
- Adding blue to green results in a cooler, teal-like shade.
Complex Hues:
More complex colours, such as browns, greys, and beiges, are harder to adjust and contain multiple undertones. As a result, it’s best to stick to simpler shades when attempting to alter the undertones of your paint.
7. Testing Your Paint Mixture
Before you start applying your newly mixed paint to a large surface, it’s crucial to test it out. This ensures the final colour matches your vision and will look as expected once fully dry.
Steps For Testing:
- Mix a small batch of paint and apply it to a small, inconspicuous section of your wall or a sample board.
- Allow the paint to dry completely, as the colour may change slightly once it dries.
- Evaluate how the paint looks in different lighting conditions, as natural and artificial light can affect the appearance.
If you’re happy with the result, you can proceed with larger batches. For consistency across the project, be sure to maintain the same ratios of paint and colourant.
Tips For Successful Paint Mixing
When it comes to mixing paint, there are a few additional tips that will help you achieve the best results:
1. Stick To The Same Brand
When mixing paint, it is always best to use the same brand that fits all your components. Different brands have varying formulations, and annexing them can lead to an inconsistent texture or even lumpy paint.
- Mixing Tip: Keep your paints within the same line or product family for the smoothest blending experience.
2. Avoid Outdoor Paint For Indoor Projects
Outdoor paint contains additives that make it resistant to weather elements like rain and sun. While this is great for outdoor use, those same additives can create strong odours and poor durability for indoor spaces.
Outdoor paints also tend to have higher levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can affect indoor air quality. Stick to indoor paints for indoor projects, especially in rooms where air circulation may be limited.
3. Mind The Hue
Mixing certain colours can lead to undesirable results. For example, mixing purples or browns with white can produce pinkish or muddy tones.
Similarly, adding green to red can create a murky brown. Consider the undertones of each colour before mixing to avoid creating a colour that doesn’t match your expectations.
4. Stir Thoroughly
Whether using a stir stick or a drill attachment, thorough mixing is key. Incomplete mixing can result in streaks of colour or uneven coverage when the paint is applied.
- Mix for at least 2-3 minutes to ensure all the components are evenly blended.
- A drill attachment for mixing can save time and ensure consistency.
Common Mistakes To Avoid In Paint Mixing
While mixing paint is generally straightforward, people make a few common mistakes. Avoiding these errors will help you achieve the best possible result.
Don’t Overmix
Excessive stirring or shaking can introduce air bubbles into the paint, leading to uneven application. Mix slowly and steadily to avoid this issue.
Avoid Using Mixed Paint On High-Traffic Areas
Mixed paint might not hold up as well as factory-mixed paint, especially in areas with a lot of wear and tear. For this reason, it’s best to use your custom colours on accent walls or smaller surfaces rather than in high-traffic areas like floors or kitchens.
Example: Use your custom paint mix on a coffee table or a feature wall rather than on a kitchen benchtop or a bathroom floor.
Conclusion
Mixing wall paint can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to enhance your home’s appearance. Gathering the right materials, following mixing guidelines, and testing your mixtures can achieve a perfect custom colour for any room.
Avoid mixing different paint types, use the same paint brand where possible, and always test your mixture before painting an entire surface. You can create stunning results that reflect your style and creativity with patience and attention to detail.
FAQs
Why Is It Important To Mix Wall Paint Before Applying It?
Mixing ensures the paint’s color, texture, and consistency are uniform, preventing streaks or uneven coverage on your walls.
How Should I Mix Wall Paint For The Best Results?
Stir the paint thoroughly with a paint stick, using an up-and-down and circular motion. For large quantities, consider using a drill with a paint mixing attachment.
Can I Mix Different Types Or Colors Of Paint Together?
You can mix paints of the same type (e.g., latex with latex) for custom colors. Avoid mixing oil-based with water-based paints, as they won’t combine properly.
How Do I Know If My Paint Is Too Thick Or Thin?
Check the consistency by lifting the paint stick; it should flow evenly. If too thick, add a small amount of water (for water-based paint) or thinner (for oil-based) gradually.
What Tools Are Needed To Mix Paint Properly?
You’ll need a paint stick or a drill with a mixing paddle for larger volumes. Always use a clean, dry tool to avoid contamination and ensure consistent results.
