Is there a way to lighten paint that is too pigmented, even after trying to get it adjusted at Home Depot?
Asked by Nikolina Nenadović 
5 months ago
Last Updated: June 29, 2024
Hey there! So, I went ahead and got this massive 5 gallon bucket of paint, slapped it on a bit of my hallway, and now I’m like, whoa, way too intense! Any tricks for toning down the color a bit? I even tried taking it back to Home Depot to see if they could help, but no luck there. Any thoughts or ideas are much appreciated!
When it dries, it might get a bit lighter 🤷♀️
Tends to darken a bit as it dries.
🙃 I think I got it wrong. Appreciate the correction!
I’m a fan. 🤷♀️
Oh, thank you, !
Sure, just return it and they can lighten it for you.
Laurn B Richrdsn has a tough time lightening paint. It’s so simple to darken, but lightening can be a real challenge sometimes.
You know, , I can only speak from my own experience. I returned the paint and they lightened it up at Lowe’s.
I’m not sure how to help, but it looks awesome. Personally, I’m not big on colors but I really like it.
Hey, thanks a lot, !
Try adding 2 gallons of white paint and give it another coat.
I enjoy it.
I appreciate you!
It might help to try using a different light or light bulb, like daylight white. Halls can be tricky since they often lack sufficient lighting.
Consider mixing in some white and repainting, or try using a brighter bulb
Simply incorporating white doesn’t do the trick. It requires a lot of white to make even a slight difference.
I did my staircase like that and everything went smoothly. I think it also depends on the color.
What color did you have in mind?
Hey Manda y, I thought it was this! I really wanted a light peachy color and this one looked much lighter compared to the original I had chosen after doing some swatches.
Just pour in a gallon or two of white
Hey e, it could take around 5 gallons or maybe more. It’s probably best to just get new paint
Hey e, simply adding white doesn’t do much. It requires a lot of white to lighten it even slightly
Hey , number 2 should do the trick, I’ve tried it before
Absolutely, 2 gallons should be enough. I actually did the same thing just a few weeks back.
E well, it really depends on the initial darkness and how much lighter you’re aiming for. Typically, paint manufacturers only add around 1 or 2 ounces of coloring per gallon of paint. To achieve a color that’s halfway between the current and white, around 5% dilution would be needed, which translates to adding 5 gallons. More gallons would be required for a lighter shade.
Yeah, using two gallons will lighten it. If you want to lighten it up significantly, you’d need about 50 gallons.
When you’re adding white paint, be sure to use a 5-gallon bucket to mix it. You want to make sure you have enough to complete the job because if you run out of paint, you’ll never be able to recreate the same color by mixing another batch.
I’m a bit confused, are you saying you bought paint but don’t like it? I would suggest purchasing the shade you prefer and repainting.
Simplify things and invest in some new paint samples in better colors. Paint bigger swatches, maybe around 3’x5′, and live with them for a bit. It’s crucial to nail down the right shades of white, so compare your store swatches to a white sheet of printer paper.
Hey , I did receive samples and tested out some swatches. It wasn’t a huge area, but I’ll remember that for next time. Thanks!
Oh, I agree. And remember, you will have to live with it for a few days. Notice how it changes color from night to day. Considering your location, I would suggest going for the neutral options rather than warm tones, as they can end up looking too yellow. There are actually more than 100 shades of white. It’s one of the trickiest colors to choose. Whites can appear yellowish, bluish, greenish, and so on. It’s not as complex as it seems, but it’s something to keep in mind. When in doubt, I usually start by checking out neutral whites with a hint of gray. You won’t notice it unless you compare it to a white sheet of paper. But being a neutral shade, it will complement cool or warm tones present in other elements of the room, such as large furniture, curtains, and more.
Maybe try diluting it a bit, starting with 10 percent
Hey, Reyes wouldn’t do that.
That’s why I’m not a fan of painting, especially waiting for it to dry
You should return it and exchange it for the correct color if it’s not right.
If you’re thinking about a lighter shade or reducing the shine, it seems like the current paint has a semi-gloss or satin finish that might look brighter in strong light. I’d recommend switching to a flat or eggshell finish instead.
Hey , the paint was actually still wet when I took this picture. It’s the only one I had since I was at work! The paint is eggshell. 🙂
Tip: If you don’t have much natural light, consider choosing a lighter color. If you have ample natural light, opt for a darker color.
It’s simple to make paint darker, but making it lighter is tricky. Adding white doesn’t actually lighten it. So, you’re stuck with the color you got or you’ll need to switch to a different one.
In spots with more natural light, it will seem brighter. Colors tend to look darker at night.
I’d just leave it, maybe switch out the light bulbs or add some paint or stenciled borders.
Yes, we still need to do the trim which might actually make a difference!
Hey, you could also consider making or purchasing wall clings…
Are we still using stencil borders from the ’90s? They’re so outdated and a pain to cover up with paint because the edges always show through. Unless you plan on living there forever and really love that stencil border, it’s best to avoid them.
Hey Dave, calm down buddy! You have to appreciate the new design and cool patterns. That rant was pretty epic, kudos to you!
Maybe wait a couple of days… then reassess once it’s fully cured.
I think it’s too shiny.
Yeah, my bad, it was still wet in the picture because I only had time to post it while at work. It’s eggshell paint 🙂
Once it’s up on the wall and dried, you can’t really lighten it.
Have you checked it out with the light in the correct spot? It will look a lot brighter around the light. You might prefer it that way and consider switching to LED if you haven’t already.
Hey everyone! I’m okay with it for now, but I’d like to eventually bring it up the stairs to our main floor. I think it will make a big difference in terms of color. We have also installed a new LED light since taking this photo. I might finish the basement with this and see if we can add more white before the stairway or something. Thanks once more! 😊
I’m loving it, it actually looks fantastic
I mixed white paint into my 5 gallon bucket of gray until I got the lightness I wanted. It ended up taking a whole gallon, but I added it slowly.
Grab a couple of gallon containers from Home Depot and pick up 2 or 3 gallons of white paint. Start with a 75/25 mixture and if it’s not light enough, try 50/50. And remember, painting supplies can get expensive so don’t waste any yellow paint.
Some people might be okay with the color. The main problem is that it looks like cheap, old white paint (which tends to turn yellow over time). So if you plan to stay for 20 years and like it, then keep it. Otherwise, consider repainting with a fresh coat.
The shade is pretty dark, which gives it an interesting look. It goes well with the wood floor. Once you add the trim, some art, and a runner, it’ll look perfect!
Are you saying it’s too dark overall? Or too yellow?
If it’s too dark, try adding some white paint. Maybe a 50/50 mix.
If it’s too yellow, then you might need to mix in an ash tone. Something with a purple undertone to cancel out the yellow.
I recently painted my half bath with a gallon of paint I bought over the weekend, but I ended up not liking the color because it was too yellow for my taste. So, I had to spend more money on a new gallon of paint. However, I did bring home several samples and left them on my wall for a week, removing the ones I didn’t like each day.
Can you bring it back in and request them to mix a slightly different shade?