How to easily match any paint color without a color code
It’s an inevitability of home ownership that your walls and furniture will see normal wear and tear that require paint touch-ups at some point. But if you don’t have the original can of paint or color codes for that object or surface, the task can feel exponentially harder. Luckily, modern advancements in paint-matching technology have made it easier for homeowners and DIYers alike to recreate pretty much any paint color they may need by grabbing a small sample and heading to the local paint store. Here we’ll outline three simple methods to get those samples and match any paint color without a code. We'll also introduce you to some handy paint-matching apps.
Watch the video above to learn how to match paint colors without a code.
How to match paint without a code
If cabinets are part of your touch-up project, unscrew a cabinet door. Take the entire door to the paint store to be color matched. Reattach the door to the cabinet when done.
If drawers are part of your project, find a drawer that can be removed and take it to the paint store to be color matched. Carefully slide back into place when done.
If your project involves a wall with drywall, locate an inconspicuous spot on the wall and take a small one-inch square sample from it. To easily conceal the sample spot with minimal effort after you're done, one of the best places to take a sample from is behind an outlet cover plate. To do this:
Trace around the outlet cover with a pencil before you take it off so you know how much room you have to take your sample.
Use a screwdriver to remove the light switch cover.
Cut a one-inch square from the area within the traced parameters using a box cutter.
Gently peel your paint sample off of the wall, using your box cutter for extra help detaching if needed.
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How to match paint color already on wall with an app
If obtaining a sample to color-match at your local paint store isn’t an option, you can utilize the latest in color-matching apps to match your paint as closely as possible.
Use a color-matching tool like the Nix Mini 2 or Datacolor ColorReader EZ. Both use a small portable sensor in tandem with an app to identify the closest known paint color match for pretty much any object or surface in your home.
Many paint companies and home improvement stores offer mobile apps to help match paint. Simply download the app to your phone, take a photo of the painted object or surface you want to match, upload it, and the app will provide the closest color match the brand has a.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to match any paint color without the code
