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Star Paint

Will Paint Dry Lighter or Darker on Walls?

The information below has been sourced from https://www.doityourself.com/

1. Surface

The first consideration is what type of surface you’re working with. A wood craft project will likely display a darker shade of paint without needing a primer of any sort. However, ceramics may appear lighter than the intended shade. Even though we are discussing walls here, the same theory applies to wall types. You may be dealing with drywall, to which you will need a primer. Paneling may also affect the end result with a dark wood bringing out the darker tone in the paint and a light paneling lightening the shade of color. And, of course, any underlying color will affect the result of the new coat if you don’t apply primer first.

painting with roller over dark red wall

2. Lighting

Another huge contributing factor to the finished look of your project is the lighting in the space. Have you ever held a sample in the store thinking it’s perfect and then tack the same sample to a wall at home with widely varying results?

Lighting alone can seemingly change green to grey and blue to purple. Natural light brings out the most accurate shade of paint, all things being equal. So place your samples next to the windows and glass doors to predict the color results.

Light bulbs skew the shade, muting or turning up the volume on everything from tan to red. Incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, or LED bulbs will all offer differing results. Some will cast a yellow hue while others may appear bluish. For larger projects, get a sample can mixed and apply it to different areas of the wall before committing to a larger quantity of paint.

3. Type of Paint

woman painting wall

Perhaps the biggest influence on paint shade is the type of paint you use. Flat paint has a dull finish. This allows it to cover inconsistencies in the wall behind it, but it will have an almost powdery finish that can make your color selection appear lighter.

Moving up to semi-gloss or gloss will reflect more light, rather than absorbing it, often resulting in paint drying to a darker-looking shade. Matte or eggshell finishes are often the most likely to present a true reflection of the color swatch you fell in love with. Since they don’t reflect or absorb light, all other things being equal, the paint should look very similar to the sample when dry.

4. Prep Work

How you prepare your surface has an enormous impact on the end appearance. If you are painting over a lighter color and didn’t get complete coverage the lighter color will bleed through not showing the true color of the new paint. On the opposite side of the color spectrum, if you paint over a dark color with a lighter one, expect those dark tones to haunt your lighter shade.

5. Primer

priming walls with white paint on roller

To create the ideal surface for your color choice, talk with the paint professional at your paint center. Explain the existing wall color and surface finish. Ask about the right primer to transition from what you have to what you want. Most of the time, your primer will need to be tinted to facilitate that transition. For example, if you hope to achieve a red wall, you’ll likely first apply a pink primer. Even though some paints claim to be paint and primer in one, that helps the paint to adhere to surfaces that may otherwise need a primer, but does nothing to cover one color that is vastly different from the one you’re applying.

6. Number of Coats

Most paints, even many of those that claim they will cover in one coat, need more than one layer to truly bring out the correct color. If your color doesn’t look right after one coat, the tone isn’t likely to change with more paint, but the shade could. Apply a second coat and allow it to dry completely before making your assessment. You don’t have to apply it to the entire wall or room. Simply create a sample space and, if you like it, continue with the project. If you don’t like the results, it’s time to take the paint can back to the paint center and ask them to remix it with a darker or lighter finish.

How to Paint Trim for a Home Refresh

A man painting a outdoor windows and trim

What You’ll Need

Giving the exterior of your home a fresh coat of paint can seem like a daunting task. But painting the trim is one way to freshen things up without having to do a complete makeover. Not only does it breathe new life into your siding, but painting the trim also increases the longevity of the wood. From picking out the right colors to mastering brush techniques, here is everything you need to know about painting your home’s trim.

Step 1 – Pick a Color Scheme

Selecting the right colors is one of the most important steps to a good trim project. The colors should complement the rest of the house and highlight existing architecture. Your local paint store is a great place to get ideas and color samples. Many stores also have a paint expert who can guide you in the right direction.

Step 2 – Prep Work

A run-down home being painted

The trim should be thoroughly cleaned before you slap on a fresh coat. You can use a water hose and rag to quickly clean the trim. After the surface is dry, lay down some plastic to protect nearby plants and start chipping off any peeling paint. Once that is finished, sand the trim to the bare wood and prime the surface with exterior primer.

Step 3 – Select the Right Brush

While they are more expensive, high-quality paint brushes can really make a difference, a good all-around brush is a 4-inch synthetic bristle, which can be used with latex. You should also consider buying an angle sash brush for close corners and details. A 1-1/2 inch angle brush should work for most projects.

Step 4 – Use Brush Skills

When using a brush, start by dipping the brush around two inches deep and then slap it against the side of the can to remove extra paint. Apply the paint in thick coats at first and keep re-loading the brush until you have covered about 3 feet. Then smooth the paint with long strokes without re-dipping the brush back into the paint.

Step 5 – Start Roller Painting

A roller is great for painting larger sections of trim. Start by pouring the paint into a 5-gallon bucket and dipping the roller inside. A roller screen is necessary to remove excess paint and can make the job go by a lot faster. With moderate pressure, apply the roller to the surface of the trim and avoid moving too fast. Rollers are notorious for flicking paint everywhere, so make sure nearby surfaces are adequately protected with plastic or drop cloths.

Step 6 – Cut-in the Trim

Man paints white trim

Developing a good cutting-in technique will really make the trim pop. Start by loading the brush with paint and gently sticking the tip of the angle brush into a corner. Pull it away from the corner slightly and continue along the edge. Continue this process until all of the edges have been painted. Once that is done, you can use the brush to fill in any gaps between the edges.

Step 7 – Use a Wet Edge

Using a wet edge is important because it allows you to paint new surfaces while avoiding overlapping into dry areas. Painting into an area that is starting to dry can make the film buckle, which is not good for the finish. To ensure a wet edge is always kept, simply overlap the areas you are painting with what you just painted.

Additional Tips

The weather is something you need to account for when painting exterior trim. Try to paint when there is low humidity and the temperature falls between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also recommended to paint in the shade whenever possible. Direct sunlight can cause heat blisters in the new coat and ruin the paint job. As far as paint thickness goes, it is better to apply a thin coat than a thick one. Thinner coats dry better and do not have issues like sagging and running, which are typical with coats that are too thick.

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