There are so many different kinds of paint, and each has their own unique properties when used. There are even more ways to use the paint as well. With primer, without primer, the material being painted, and more. But what about how each type dries? Does the color of the paint change? And if it does, how much and does it dry darker or lighter? In this article we’ll answer this question and take a look at some of the factors that can influence how much it changes.
For the most part, paint dries darker. This includes several types of paint including acrylic and latex paints. But if you’re worried about the paint drying a different color than is on the swatch, don’t worry. If you get paint from a reputable store that mixes paint well the paint will dry to the color of the swatch. There are some factors that can influence the color of the paint however that you should consider. We’ll take a look at those below.
Factors That Influence the Color of Paint as it Dries
Proper mixing is key to achieving the desired color and most stores have personnel which are trained to mix it just like the swatch color. So, when you see the mixed paint and it looks a bit different than the swatch, don’t worry it will dry as it should. If you like, try to paint a small area and see what shade it turns out. Make sure you paint on the same surface as the finished product will be and see if it matches the paint swatch. Keep not on the light sources when doing this however.
Too Many Layers of a Paint Job
If you have a darker color paint it can create a darker color if there are more layers of paint. Typically, most homeowners will use one coat of primer and then two coats of paint. Adding an additional coat of paint may make the outcome a bit darker if you are using a darker color.
If you’re using a lighter color, additional coats of paint won’t have as much of an effect. Depending on the paint brand you use will also influence how many coats are needed. Check the manufacturers label for how many coats are needed.
Using Primer as a First Coat
Using primer affects paint color in two ways when it dries. First, the primer provides a white or light-colored base that can help make the paint color appear more vibrant. Second, primer can slightly change the tone of the paint color, making it appear either warmer or cooler. Using two or more coats of paint will usually cover any influence that the primer has on the overall project.
Paint Sheen Affects Paint Color When Dried
There are three main types of finishes with paint. They are flat, matte, and glossy finish. And this is known as the sheen. Sheen is what makes a color look shiny, and the most popular type of paint is typically semi-gloss. Sheens can change how a paint looks based on the type of paint you use. A paint with more sheen in an area that has lots of natural light will look lighter when it dries but this is typically because of the light and not the paint itself.
Which Type of Paint Dries Darker? Acrylic, Oil, or Latex
While paint sheen can have an effect on the color of paint when it dries, there are other factors as well. The type of paint can also have an effect. The three main types of paint are oil paint, acrylic paint, and latex paints. The main difference in these types of paint is the material used when creating the paint.
While there are different paint types, they all dry darker when applied. Oil paints tend to dry a bit darker than acrylic and latex paints, but all will dry a bit darker.
