Covering up dark paint shades can pose a considerable challenge. However, there are numerous techniques and strategies available to simplify the task, though it’s equally important to prepare for potential obstacles. Throughout this blog post, we’re going to explore the issues and resolutions for painting over dark colors!
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What Happens When You Paint Over Dark Colors?
When painting over dark colors, the result will depend on how light the new color is. If you are painting over dark colors with a lighter shade, then your finished product will come out darker than expected. This happens because of an optical illusion called metamerism.
When two different objects reflect light at different wavelengths, they can appear to be a slightly different color when viewed under natural or artificial lighting conditions that differ from those in which the object was originally evaluated (or measured).
So if you paint over dark colors and it ends up looking too dark after all is said and done, this means that both of these factors could have been involved: one being metamerism and the other being how much time has passed between coats due to drying time for each coat.
With this in mind, you need to take the proper steps when it comes to painting over dark colors if you want to avoid this problem!
How to Paint Over Dark Colors
There is a certain way to go about painting over dark colors to get a good result. The very first thing you need is patience since this process can take longer than usual because of the drying time required for each coat.
In terms of paint choice, it’s best to use semi-gloss or satin finishes when trying to cover up dark colors with lighter shades. This will help add some shine and reflect light that otherwise would have been absorbed by the old color!
Now that you’ve got a thorough understanding of what kind of paint to get, let’s head on to the steps!
Pick the Right Supplies
The first thing you need to do is pick the right painting supplies. When painting over dark colors, investing in high-quality rollers and brushes will make the process much easier because it will speed things up.
If you’re looking to buy paint rollers, consider getting one that is made out of synthetic material rather than natural hair because these tend to be more durable and last longer! The same goes for brushes; make sure they are soft or medium-grade so you won’t end up damaging your walls with too heavy a hand.
Prep The Surface
The next thing you should do is prepare the surface. If you’re trying to paint over dark colors, then there is a good chance that your walls will be dirty and dusty from all of those years. To avoid having this end up on top of your newly painted wall later, make sure to clean it beforehand.
All you have to do is use TSP or trisodium phosphate-based cleaners in preparation for painting over dark colors. These are great because they can break down grease without damaging surfaces unlike most other cleaning products out there.
Use the Right Primer
Using the proper primer is a must when it comes to painting over dark colors. If you try to paint directly onto your surface without priming, the new color will not stick and it may end up peeling away in time!
This is why you need to use an oil-based primer before painting over dark colors when using latex paints because these are better than water-based ones at covering stains or discoloration on surfaces. Choose one that’s made for either drywall or plaster if possible so there won’t be any issues with adhesion later on.
Be Sure to Multiple Coats of the Primer
You need to make sure that you are painting over the primer multiple times before moving on, especially if trying to paint over dark colors. This is because primers can only do so much when it comes to covering up stains or discoloration, which means you will have a lot more work ahead of you!
Since each coat must dry completely before applying another one, this process takes longer than usual. Most experts recommend letting the primer sit for at least four hours between coats just to be safe!
Heavy Coverage is a Must
When applying the paint, you need to make sure that it is done in heavy coats so the old color won’t show through. This way, you’ll get the best possible result and it will be easier to cover up any mistakes later on!
Make sure that each coat is applied as evenly as possible so there won’t be any issues down the line with discoloration or bubbles appearing in your paint job. The more coats you put on top of one another, the better chance you have at avoiding these problems altogether along with old color coming back through.
Let It Dry
Lastly, you need to make sure that the paint has dried completely before moving on. Since you are painting over dark colors, it will take longer than usual for this process to complete due to each coat needing additional time to dry.
In a Nutshell
Now that you know how to paint over dark colors, it’s time to get the job done. Let us know if this blog post has helped and we can help teach you more about painting in the future!
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