Lost paint leftovers, need to touch up a wall

14 years ago

We have a 11' high ceiling on a 20' wall, the entire room is painted in Dunn Edwards paint, but I cannot for the life of me remember where we put the leftover paint for touchups nor the name of the color. I know there was some leftover after the room was painted (by a professional who purchased the paint) because I have touched up the walls in the bedroom before, but I am totally stumped as to where it is.

I made the mistake of thinking that it was one certain can that wasn't labled, I painted the black marks on the wall and of course, when it dried, it is a different color.

So my next step is what: should I go to D.E. and try to find a paint sample that matches? The paint is over 6 years old and I love the color (soft cream with a hint of peach) but I if I can't match the color can I paint just that wall a different color? On that wall is a large floor to ceiling bumpout with an arched doorway into the master bath, then a dresser and plasma TV (on a stand) across the wall. Besides the wall color, the rest of the room is done in mixed blues, greens and light bluish-purples, I thought maybe change just that one wall to a twilight blue color.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

paintguy22
14 years ago
Even you had the touchup paint, touching up after 6 years is a challenge with a washable paint....with a flat, maybe. If you don't know the color, matching it is almost impossible...there are just too many colors out there and even the slightest variation in sheen or color will make the touchups show. Of course, in a dark corner with no natural light, it will be easier. Why not just pick a new color that is close and paint that wall corner to corner? Nobody would be able to tell the difference...unless you want to do an accent wall of course.
decorativewalls
14 years ago
as paintguy mentioned, It is almost near impossible to get a good uniform appearance with touching up if it has been about 6 years. Almost darn impossible even after about 6 mths. unless it is with a flat and some flats will not touch up either.

As paintguy mentioned maybe you can choose another color for that one wall and it being a bump out could serve as and accent wall for you.
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michelle_phxaz
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks so much. Down here in the SW most walls are heavily textured so even the old paint isn't that noticeable when it is a shade off, and it is flat paint, so that is the good thing but I can't even find the paint to do that! I think I will go ahead and repaint the wall. I hate the ladder work so I will try to match the colors so as not to have to be spot on across the top.

I may also rehire the original painter, he was fantastic!
moonshadow
14 years ago
If you hate ladder work (me too) and are willing to do it yourself, look into renting a scaffold. Mine had a generous 3x4 platform for paint tray and walking room, ladder rungs with hand rails on both sides. Easy access to the top, super stable and was perfectly comfortable for hitting the high area of wall in our foyer. Stood there cutting in wall at ceiling and it was eye level, nice! Comes in pieces like a puzzle for transport, just put it together at home. I got one at our local rent-it center for abt $75 for a weekend, or $150 for a week. Way cheaper than hiring it out. Piece of cake to work from.

Just wanted to offer a tip for future reference. Every time I paint something I take a fresh wooden stir stick and with a fine tip Sharpie write the manufacturer, date, room, color name/#, sheen and formula. (Abbreviated you can squeeze all that onto half the stick at the handle end, using both sides if necessary. Don't use a fat tip Sharpie, it bleeds too much and is illegible.) Then dip the stirring end of the stick in the paint can (with paint well mixed) so it's covered about half way up but doesn't cover your written info. Set it on edge of can lid with newspaper underneath to catch any drips & let it dry overnight. I keep my painted sticks loosely rubber-banded in a storage box inside the cabinet where my brushes and misc paint sundries are. Takes up little room and you have a ready reference in a case like this, just walk in the store with your stick in hand. (I've found it comes in handy too when shopping for fabrics or other items for the room, painted stick is bigger than a small paint sample and is precisely what was put on your walls.)