Color matching paint

[Mrs.flang]

Does anyone have experience color matching a different brand? We’ve only ever used Behr, which we like, and when I looked on consumer reports it’s the highest rated and most affordable so we’d like to go with that, but I’m considering using a color consultant from my local SW or BM retailer, so I’d need to get it matched to those brands.

I think I’d only be worried if I had to go back in a separate trip to get another gallon or something, otherwise I’d guess it would get close enough.

[auroraloo]

I've had Behr matched to BM a lot no complaints.

[felicity]

I think it depends on how much you care about getting the exact color. I've tried color matching a couple of times using Behr with SW colors that I had used other times, and the colors were not the same.

FWIW, SW constantly has sales that bring the price down.

[Violet]

Aug 29, 2018 5:28:15 GMT -5 felicity said:

I think it depends on how much you care about getting the exact color. I've tried color matching a couple of times using Behr with SW colors that I had used other times, and the colors were not the same.

FWIW, SW constantly has sales that bring the price down.

This!


The previous owners matched BM Revere Pewter to Behr for a few rooms and the undertone is off. I can tell the rooms that have used BM Revere Pewter vs Behr Revere Pewter.  

I think if you are just trying to get the same shade of light blue, sure it works. If you are trying to match a light blue that reads purple or gray, then nope.

SW does sales a lot. You can get BM sales sometimes at Ace Hardware. 

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2018 5:28:15 GMT -5 felicity said:

I think it depends on how much you care about getting the exact color. I've tried color matching a couple of times using Behr with SW colors that I had used other times, and the colors were not the same.

FWIW, SW constantly has sales that bring the price down.

I just got an email today that they are running a 30% sale through 9/10.

[Susie]

You're not thinking of using complementary services of a SW/BM color consultant, and then taking the paint chip to Home Depot to get the color cheaper, are you?  My personal opinion on paint brands aside, that would be cringeworthy.

If you pay for a consultant's time, then you can buy product from where ever you want.  But if you use free services, buy their paint.

SW is 30% off from 8/30 to 9/10 if that helps:  www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/special-offers/sales-and-coupons  

[Mrs.flang]

Aug 29, 2018 9:40:38 GMT -5 Susie said:

You're not thinking of using complementary services of a SW/BM color consultant, and then taking the paint chip to Home Depot to get the color cheaper, are you?  My personal opinion on paint brands aside, that would be cringeworthy.

If you pay for a consultant's time, then you can buy product from where ever you want.  But if you use free services, buy their paint.

SW is 30% off from 8/30 to 9/10 if that helps:  www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/special-offers/sales-and-coupons  

No! They charge for the service here. 

I was leaning toward using SW over the BM consultant, so that sale probably puts me over the edge to go there.  I figured there would be some specials for Labor day but I'm not sure I'll have decisions finalized quite by then. 

[Susie]

Mrs.flang, ok phew. RockNVoll posted in another thread recently about having gotten complementary color advice from BM, which is an awesome service. I was afraid you were suggesting doing something similar and then bolting!

[candreco]

Aug 29, 2018 9:49:49 GMT -5 Mrs.flang said:

Aug 29, 2018 9:40:38 GMT -5 Susie said:

You're not thinking of using complementary services of a SW/BM color consultant, and then taking the paint chip to Home Depot to get the color cheaper, are you?  My personal opinion on paint brands aside, that would be cringeworthy.

If you pay for a consultant's time, then you can buy product from where ever you want.  But if you use free services, buy their paint.

SW is 30% off from 8/30 to 9/10 if that helps:  www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/special-offers/sales-and-coupons  

No! They charge for the service here. 

I was leaning toward using SW over the BM consultant, so that sale probably puts me over the edge to go there.  I figured there would be some specials for Labor day but I'm not sure I'll have decisions finalized quite by then. 

You can buy the untinted paint while it's on sale, and take it back for pigment when you do decide.  As long as you know basically what color you're going to use so you get the right base you'll be good (though they'd probably let you exchange the base if needed).

[Ramz-ee]

If you want to get colors color matched to Behr, make sure you get a sample in Behr before you buy the entire can. If it's not the color you were hoping, then consider using the actual brand of paint.

I've had success with color matching but also did a sample first to confirm.

I understand preference of a certain paint. I do not like SW paint. I've had some bad experiences with it, so if I can avoid it, I do. Although if I had a BM store anywhere near me, I would happily pay the extra amount to get that paint.

Also, I think Behr paint is highly rated because it's the most convenient for people to buy, not that it's necessarily the best paint. Again, though, it's all personal preference.

[mrs.jacinthe]

I've had questionable experiences with Behr color match. I use their samples at HD (because they're small pots, where at SW you have to pretty much buy an entire pint of paint) and sometimes they're exact, but sometimes they're WAY off.

SW, on the other hand, has been entirely perfect at color matching.

[pooh8402]

I get SW paint color matched to BM all the time. They have the formulas.

[auntie]

Aug 29, 2018 9:49:49 GMT -5 Mrs.flang said:

Aug 29, 2018 9:40:38 GMT -5 Susie said:

No! They charge for the service here. 

I was leaning toward using SW over the BM consultant, so that sale probably puts me over the edge to go there.  I figured there would be some specials for Labor day but I'm not sure I'll have decisions finalized quite by then. 

They charge, but it's not generally the going rate, plus you get a $50 discount from SW.

My mother just hired an independent decorator for color services because she was blending stuff from 2 houses and starting over. The decorator is a friend of mine and gave her the F&F rate of $75/hour which is about half what she charges residential customers. 

I have never understood why Behr gets the ratings it does. I have one room in my house left in Behr and I can't wait to re-do it. DH has a few friends who are PhDs working in "coatings" they love the stuff but admit the walls I have done in SW look better. I much prefer SW or BM not just for finish but for ease of application.