Can I use a different paint brand to touch up?

7 years ago

Six years ago our interior was painted, now has some dings, etc that I need to touch up.

The painter used Sherwin-Williams but it was a match from a Benjamin Moore color. (I have the can but unfortunately it all dried out-very little was left).

I have the color number, formula, etc. I really need way less than a quart but it appears that SW is only available in a gallon ($50+) for satin.

If I used another brand like Behr and feather it out, can they get it to match to the original color?

Thanks.

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Comments (4)

graywings123
7 years ago
After 6 years, nothing - including paint from the original can - is going to match the wall.

Matching the paint color in another brand is difficult, but I suspect you also have to deal with the sheen - one maker's satin sheen is unlikely to be identical to that of another paint company.
PRO
Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting
7 years ago
To answer the question, NO way. Gray wings said it, nothing is going to match after 6 years
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Sometimes it isn't the paint, but rather the sheen. If trying to touch up for a semi-gloss or gloss trim, perhaps touch up with primer first, then use the paint that you have? It may grab and cover better. Or, a light sand (and a couple of coats). (I hate painting trim, and the idea of repainting all the trim in a house makes me feel unwell)
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Additionally, if the paint was originally rollered, and the touch up is via a brush there will likely be noticable differences in the sheen. Especially, as chris noted, when using non-flat paint. Before repainting the entire wall segment, I'd try using a mini roller, and see whether that helped.
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It could be a question of nap size, but really the problem is that Regal Matte doesn't touch up well. What I do when touching up with any paint is not use any primer at all. I have had more problems with the primer actually causing the touch ups to flash, so I just skip it. I get the best results by just doing 3 coats of the finish paint. But, there is a difference between the paint not touching up because it is flashing and because it just doesn't match. Say the painters ran out of paint, and picked up one last gallon to finish the job. It could be that the last gallon was not tinted perfectly and/or that it was not mixed (boxed) with all the paint for the job and this is the gallon that you are using to touch up. This is why it says on all paint cans that you should box colors for uniformity. Also, BM claims that the sheen level of their Regal Matte dies down after full cure, so in theory your touch ups may blend in better after a month. I've never bought into that claim though. The biggest factor is going to be lighting. If the touch up is in a dark room in a corner, then it may appear to blend in better than if the touch up is on a high foyer wall with a big window casting light down the wall. A lot of times what happens is you sand the patch out further than the patch and then you don't touch up far enough around the patch to cover up what you have dulled with the sanding. Is this what you could be seeing as a glitter effect? I don't know, but sanded drywall mud can look sparkly in sunlight.
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I've recently discovered a helpful trick for touch ups: go to Lowes or Home Depot (or to any arts and crafts store) and get sponge-tipped painting tools. They come on a wood stick and are shaped a little like a popsicle, the consistency of the applicator is kinda like foam rubber, they are usually grey in color, and they come in all sizes. Since they are spongy, the mark they make with the paint seems to be more "subtle" than a brush would make--and you don't get those obvious brush marks when you are touching up over paint that was applied with a roller. I have used this kind of tool for recent touch ups on eggshell (my choice for wall finish) and satin or semi-gloss (my trim choice for doors & trim). It blends much better. You may have to do a second coat, though, depending on what you are touching up.
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PRO
Paint sales at Home Depot
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I agree, nothing is going to match after 6 years, BUT, your chances are better using the original formula in the original brand of paint. Bite the bullet and buy the gallon.

The only way to have really good touch ups is to paint whole sections of wall to an inconspicuous cut off place, such as an inside or outside corner, window or door, behind the drapes, etc. Minor color and sheen variations will not be too noticeable at these places.

My standard advice to DIY'ers doing touch up is to do the absolute minimum to cover up that blemish that is drawing your eye to that spot. The bigger the touch up, the more obvious! Also, don't brush, but dab with the brush. Better yet, use a roller cover held in your hand to just dab the blemish. You want to emulate the texture left by the original roller.
Faron79
7 years ago
Over the years, I've often suggested just using an old balled-up washcloth/similar. Preferably with a more "nibbed" weave.

Then, just LIGHTLY dab at the wall. Only apply just a Kleenex-thin puff of paint at a time, & let dry a bit. Use hardly any paint, & slightly tilt the cloth-ball as you dab.

Less is MORE here! The idea is to build-up hazy thin layers of touch-up. This dries faster, & matches better with less "bulk" on the wall. THATS the whole key imo.

A perfect match that looks like PANCAKE on the wall doesn't really help, lol!

Faron

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Can I use a different paint brand to touch up?

Comments (4)

graywings123

Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting

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