We’re committed to providing industry-leading paints and our highly-skilled staff are on hand to help with any of your paint mixing needs. Whether you want to know the best thinner or are looking for advice on paint accessories , don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Our New Bedroom Paint Color: How To Mix Your Own Custom Color Blend
One of my favorite pastimes is walking into home improvement stores to pick up and put down approximately 500 paint sample swatches, then walk around in a circle muttering to myself about all the options while the well-meaning employees ask me repeatedly “Are you okay?” and “Are you sure you’re okay?” Like, no, I’m clearly not okay but I do need space to work out my color options!
Let’s rewind to last week.
After a year of discussing whether or not to paint the bedroom, we finally decided that yes, it needed to be painted. Luckily we immediately agreed on exactly what we wanted. Dusty sage. A color that would be kind of pale in areas of the room that get plenty of natural light but moody in the darker areas—all while being soothing and perfect for a bedroom * oasis *.
But then we picked three samples from all of the swatches and none of the samples looked quite right. One was too dark, one was too light, and one was too…kiwi? It was too kiwi. Kiwi isn’t welcome here. We did really like the too-dark and too-light ones, so we decided to make the ultimate compromise and try mixing them together. We posted about that on our Instagram stories and here’s when the questions started rolling into our direct messages.
“Can you just like mix your own paint, like is that okay?” is basically the gist.
The answer is 100% yes! If you’re using fresh interior paint you’ve gotten from the store, you can mix any colors that are the same paint type and finish (in our case: interior latex paint in a satin finish). All you need is the paints you want to mix, a 5 gallon bucket, and a paint stirrer. Mix to your hearts content, stirring until the colors are full blended and making sure you’ve scraped the sides and bottom of the bucket down to make sure it’s all incorporated. We tried several ratios (2:1, 3:2, etc.), but found a 1:1 ratio was actually perfect. That’s great because it was easy math and meant there wouldn’t be a lot of wasted unmixed paint.
The colors we settled on were Sherwin Williams Liveable Green—which was light and airy and…liveable—and Clary Sage, which was a rich sage color but just a tad too dark on its own. In the parts of the room that don’t get much light it would have felt a little bit too dungeony.
We started mixing different paint ratios and the thing we noticed immediately was that the 1:1 ratio didn’t actually look like 1:1 at all, but rather just like a slightly lighter version of the Clary Sage, which we already loved. So, important to note that you may need to do a bit of experimenting with mixing small amounts before you mix entire gallons. We made test swatches by mixing tiny bits of the paint—about 1/4 cup at a time.
Anyhow, we got to taping and painting and are absolutely in love with the results. It’s such a wonderfully relaxing room now, and we love how the green color works with our vintage furniture to create a space that feels really unique. We’ve got a full bedroom “reveal” coming in the near future, so check back in for that, but there’s a little sneak peak below for ya!
Why do You Need to Mix Paint Before Use?
Paints contain a mixture of solid and liquid components, so mixing paints ensures they combine together for the right colour and consistency for application. While we do everything we can to mix and shake paints thoroughly during manufacturing, components do separate over time. The longer your paint is left, the more you’ll need to mix it before use.
At TA Paints, we offer an extensive colour chart to ensure you find precisely the right shade for the task at hand. If you don’t mix your paints properly, you may find the colour is different than expected, or it doesn’t dry evenly on the substrate. Mixing paints is an important part of the whole painting process, so follow our tips for the best results.
How to Mix Paint
Industrial shakers are the best way to mix your paints, but not everyone has one available. Let’s look at effective methods you can do yourself.
Single Pack Paints
Single pack paints have everything you need in one tin, so you can simply stir and begin. However, using the right stirrer is vital. A garden cane, knife or other thin, short stick isn’t sufficient. They don’t have the necessary surface area to agitate paint effectively.
In that case, how do you mix paint before use? Use a suitable paint stirrer that reaches the bottom of the tin to combine the solvent and the solid elements of the paint. Something shaped like a cricket bat yields the best results. Alternatively, opt for a paddle mixer on a slow-running drill and mix the paint for 5 minutes until the paint has a smooth consistency and even colour.
Leave the paint to rest for a minute and repeat the process again.
Two Pack Paints
Two pack paints, such as our epoxy garage floor paint , contain a base and an activator, also known as a catalyst. They come in separate containers, as a chemical reaction starts when you mix them. This reaction is a crucial part of the curing process, so don’t start mixing paints until you’re ready to use them.
The exact details of how to mix paint can be found on the product’s instructions, so always read the details first. As a general rule, the components are supplied in the correct ratios for mixing. Follow these steps for the best results:
- Stir the base component following the above single pack paint technique
- Pour the activator into the same pot as the base, ensuring a steady pour with continuous mixing
- Mix with a paddle or drill attachment for the specified time, usually around 10 minutes
If you fail to mix two pack paints properly, you could experience patchy drying or, even worse, the paint won’t dry at all.
Mixing Paint With Thinners
At TA Paints, we sometimes recommend mixing paints with thinners to use as a sealant/primer, such as with our concrete floor paint . This is for certain circumstances only, and not a general rule for all paints.
Where applicable, we will always advise you of suitable thinners and the required ratios. Mixing the paint and thinner at room temperature is advisable for accurate results.
