Best Ways of Mixing Paint
It is not always possible to purchase the exact color paint that you want; this is where mixing paint comes in handy. You do not need to know a lot about paint in order to mix colors and get the one that you are looking for. You can mix different kinds of paints, as long as they have the same base and you can also add colorants to your paint to give it a customized tint. You can even use paint that you have left over.
You will need:
- Paint
- 2 5-gallon buckets
- Paint strainer
- Colorants
- Paint stir sticks
Using Leftover Paint
- Paint can be purchased in quarts, gallons and 5-gallon cans. Before you purchase your paint, figure out how much you will need. Be sure to factor in the number of coats that you will need as well.
- Check the paint that you already have to be sure that it is still usable. Stir it to make sure that it is not lumpy.
- Decide what colors you want to mix together. Adding white to paint makes it lighter, while adding darker colors will make the shade of the hue deeper.
- Use a 5-gallon bucket to experiment with the colors. Mix them together in small increments until you find the shade that you want.
- Mix the two shades of paint together in a second 5-gallon bucket, using a strainer to make sure that there are no lumps or pieces of dried paint and then thoroughly mix the colors together.
Using Colorants
- Purchase your colorants. They can be bought from most paint and craft stores, as well as online.
- Slowly add the colorants to white or off-white paint to find the shade you desire. Keep in mind that when the paint is dry it will be slightly darker.
- Once you have achieved the desired color, pour the paint and colorant through a paint strainer and into a 5-gallon bucket. Be sure to mix the paint well before you begin using it.