Our painter wants us to use an "off-brand" Sherwin Williams color

last year

last modified: last year

We are replacing a full-lite exterior door with a 3/4 lite that we're going to install a dog door in the bottom of. The door company recommended a painter who is going to come and paint it after it's installed.

All our exterior doors are Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069) on the outside.

When we asked about getting paint, he said he had some "non-Sherwin Williams Iron Ore" paint that he had on hand from another customer. Is it wise to use a non-SW paint to match a Sherwin Williams color? Money is not a major issue here, and I want to make sure the color matches, but also I don't need to make an extra trip to SW if there's nothing wrong with an off-brand match.

Should we just let him use the stuff he already has? Thanks!

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Comments (14)

Mary Elizabeth
last year
No. In fact, I would not hire him for this very reason. You're the customer, you're paying the bill. This sounds like someone that cuts corners.
Sammie J
last year
I would be worried about the paint quality, as well as the color match.
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kandrewspa
last year
Since it's a door it can't require much paint so there is no reason not to use the real thing. You will probably have difficulty finding someone to do such a small job, so you could let him take a stab at it and buy the paint yourself. If he doesn't do a good job, don't pay him.
cat_ky
last year
I agree. Do not hire him. Anyone who is trying to cut corners like that before he even starts, shouldnt be hired. Absolutely no to the other brand. Colors most likely wouldnt be an exact match. All brands of paint have different bases, that they use to mix colors.
Sandra Guistwhite
last year
Ask if he could provide a sample swatch? I've had colors chosen from one brand, mixed in another brand of paint (though never the same color in 2 brands) and it's been a good match.
w0lley32
last year
Besides the issues of matching the colour, I would be worried about the quality of that paint. Is it from another good brand, or from a cheap knock-off brand? And is it new paint, or 2/3 of a quart left over from another job 3 months ago that sat in his truck in 95 degree weather with the lid half way closed all that long?

I would think really well about hiring this guy. But one thing is sure, I would insist on using brand new SW Iron Ore paint.
partim
last year
My sister hired a painter who used an off-brand of Benjamin Moore's Raccoon Fur. She had him repaint it because, as the told him, raccoon fur isn't blue.
ci_lantro
last year
last modified: last year
For all we know, it could be a very good paint, like Breakthrough, that has been color matched to one of SW's colors.

Or just go buy a quart of the SW paint.

My big concern would be with the door and if it is constructed such that installing a doggie door doesn't wreck it. a 3/4 lite door doesn't leave much room for cutting away and maintaining structural integrity.
kculbers
last year
Get a different painter. You need good quality and freshly purchased paint!! If you want the SW Iron Ore paint, then purchase that.
Lorraine Leroux
last year
No need to fire the painter as some have suggested. Just buy the SW paint and be done with it.
Angel 18432
last year
I would just go buy the new paint and be done with it. Thank him for his offer.

Your new door paint color may be different than your other doors as paint can fade

after a while. This way you will know it's not the paint, it's fading on other doors.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Buy the paint and give it to him to use end of issue.
PRO
Lori A. Sawaya
last year
Money is not a major issue here, and I want to make sure the color matches, but also I don't need to make an extra trip to SW if there's nothing wrong with an off-brand match.

The only way to know is to measure his color.

Can get a Color Muse on Amazon for $60.

If he's a professional painter, he probably owns a portable spectro like Spectro 1 or Pro.

Take 3 to 5 scans of his custom color. the average should be close to this data profile.

To be clear the numbers won't match but should be within a tight range.
partim
last year
If the doors aren't close together, you could get him to test the colour to see if it is OK. From an environmental standpoint, it is a sound practice to re-use if it doesn't make a difference.

Our painter wants us to use an "off-brand" Sherwin Williams color

Comments (14)

Mary Elizabeth

Sammie J

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partim

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