Here's How: Get a Perfect Paint Match

James Dulley on Jul 9, 2026

Get a Perfect Paint Match

Dear James: We had some water leakage wall damage. I need to repaint it, but I don't have the original paint can. What is the best way to get a good color match on the repair? -- Emma G.

Dear Emma: Getting a perfect match with an old painted wall is a tedious job that takes patience, so make sure you are not in a big hurry. Go into this job expecting to make many trial paint mixtures before finding your match.

The first step before painting anything is to wash the surface with soap and water. Paint should always be applied to a clean area. Also, it is impossible to match paint to a dirty wall surface. It is best to first use a sealer over the water damaged spot.

After the walls have dried, inspect them closely in both natural sunlight and artificial lamp light. You may find, after the cleaning, the paint has faded in some areas. If this is the case, you will probably want to paint the entire wall.

Patching the wall is also an important part of matching the paint. The color appearance of wall paint is as dependent on the wall surface texture as it is on the paint pigments. Select sandpaper with grit that will mimic the old wall surface when finished. You don't want to sand it down smooth or else the repaired area will definitely stand out.

If the wall paint has not faded to the point where a complete repainting is necessary, peel off a 1-square-inch area of paint with a utility knife. Be sure you take the samples near the areas that need repairs, because the colors can vary.

Take the paint sections to a paint store and have an experienced salesperson use their computer program to try to match them. Ask them to stay on the darker side if they cannot get a good match. The lighting in the store is not the same as your house, so it will look different at home.

Once the paint store has mixed a color, purchase a gallon of their matched paint. You will also want to buy a can of the same type of paint in pure white. Use this white paint to fine-tune your color match.

First, try the original paint as the paint store mixed it. It will appear darker when it is wet, so don't be shocked when you first see it. Let the paint dry for at least 30 minutes.

If the color still looks too dark after the paint has dried, you will need to mix some of the white paint with the colored paint. Take only 1 tablespoon of the colored paint and mix it with 1 teaspoon of pure white paint. This is where you will need to keep your patience and relax. Keep repeating this process until you think you have the closest match possible.

Make sure you remember the ratio of colored paint to white paint so you can mix enough to finish the job once a match has been created.

As nice as your paint job is, you will probably always be able to see the repaired areas because you know where they are located. With the proper matching technique, though, no one else will be able to tell.

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Send your questions to Here's How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45244 or visit www.dulley.com. To find out more about James Dulley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.