Choosing a paint color can be one of the most difficult tasks and when you are not the only one making the decision, it can become even harder with differing opinions. There are so many factors that come into play, like lighting which can change throughout the day depending on how the sunlight hits the room. Some colors can make a room look smaller, while other colors make the room look larger. Certain paint colors can clash with your existing decor and just look completely different from that tiny color sample you brought home. Once you finally decide on a color and decide to move forward with painting the room, you start to wonder…will the paint dry darker or lighter than you had expected?
Paint should not dry darker or lighter if mixed thoroughly and applied properly to the wall or item that you are painting. When applied to a neutral color surface it should be true to the color that appears on the swatch. There are some important factors, however, that can affect the appearance of the paint once applied.
Does paint dry darker?
There are some factors that could make your paint appear to dry darker, but if you have purchased quality paint and mixed it properly before use, it should appear the same color as the color sample you chose.
If you are, for example, painting a wall that has previously had a much darker color on it and you try to simply paint over it with your new paint color, the new paint may appear much darker once it has dried. If you are painting over a darker color, you should always use a primer first. Using a primer is always a good idea, but especially when painting over a darker color.
The finish of the paint could also affect how the color appears when it has dried. If you painted a sample patch on your wall, be aware that sample paint does not have any finish and will appear flat. When you paint with the final paint color containing whichever finish you have chosen, the sheen could make the paint appear darker or lighter due to the reflection of the light in the room or sunlight through the window. Before you decide on your color, view your sample at all times of day to be sure you like how the color looks in various light.
How fast does paint dry?
When considering how fast your paint will dry, it is important to know that it does depend on the type of paint that you are using. Latex paint, which is most commonly used on walls, can dry in as little as an hour. If you are using an oil based paint, it can take 6 – 8 hours before it is dry and ready for another coat.
| Paint Type | Dry Time | Cure Time |
|---|---|---|
| Latex | 1 hour | 2 weeks |
| Chalk Paint | 1 hour | 30 days |
| Oil Based | 6-8 hours | 3-7 days |
| Kilz Primer | 30 minutes | 4 hours |
| Exterior Paint | 4-8 hours | 30 days |
Does paint finish affect the color?
The finish of the paint or sheen refers to how much light is reflected from the surface of the paint. If you have painted a sample patch on your wall, beware that it does not have a sheen to it, so it can appear slightly different than the final can of pain that contains a sheen.
There are 5 main types of paint sheen:
- Matte – This type of finish provides a non-reflective surface and will dry very similar to a test patch of paint with no shine at all.
- Eggshell – A very low reflective surface that very subtly bounces light off the wall. Artificial and sunlight will have little effect on how the color appears.
- Satin – This finish appears to have a pearl like finish in its reflectiveness and the paint could appear slightly lighter when dry, but should still be very true to the color sample.
- Semi-gloss – Provides a reasonably shiny surface that is typically used for trim which takes a lot of abuse, in bathrooms or other areas where moisture may be present. It is fairly light reflective, making it sometimes appear a little lighter than the original paint color in bright light.
- High gloss – This finish is all shine and highly reflective and could affect the way it appears when it dries. Because it is so shiny, it is not recommended for interior walls.
Use a primer before you paint
Using a primer before you paint is important so that you are starting with a clean blank wall. This is important because any colors that the wall has been previously painted could affect the new color if not covered up properly. This is especially true if the wall was a much darker color before. It can sometimes be very difficult to cover up a darker color and primer can help tremendously. Starting with a blank, primed wall will give you a final color that is true to the paint swatch that you have chosen.
The same is true if you are painting a piece of furniture that is a darker color or has a wood stain applied. Often, you will need to sand a stain off of furniture, but applying a primer can also help prevent stain from bleeding through your final paint color.
How to store paint
Storing your paint properly can also affect the color of the paint. If paint is stored in an environment that is too hot or too cold, the paint can begin to separate and affect the chemical makeup. This will also affect the color as you may not be able to mix it thoroughly enough once the different parts of the paint have separated and the chemical makeup of the paint has changed. Learn about what paint is made of and how to properly store paint for best results with your next painting project.
Overall, you should expect that your paint will dry very true to the color that you expect from the swatch and paint sample that you picked for your project. A few factors can truly affect the color of the paint like not properly mixing the paint or not using a primer before painting your walls, and the amount of light in the room at various times of day. However, if you follow the proper steps to prepare for your painting project, you should feel confident that your paint will dry in the same color that you expect it to.