I’m Betsy from Happily Ever After, Etc. and I can’t believe that I’m here to chat with all of you on Beauty through Imperfection today! I met Paula several months ago at the very first BP Blog Retreat… she is so sweet and I learned so much from her! I was ecstatic when she invited me over to talk to y’all about paint… something near and dear to my heart.
On my blog you’ll find a little home décor, a little diy and a whole lot of paint! I’ve been painting everything I could get my hands on since I was a little girl but it wasn’t until later in life that I learned how to paint walls (being an army brat they really discouraged that kind of thing on base!).
Once I started painting I realized that walls are like pringles… you can’t paint just one! I learned everything I could about painting the inside of your home and then I started working at the local paint store! Now I spend my days mixing paint and answering questions… and I’m here to share a little bit of that knowledge with you!
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Alright y’all I’ll be honest… this topic is one of my hot buttons!
Maybe that’s bad to admit but it’s definitely a pet peeve!
Every single day I have customers and readers ask what’s up with sample paint… is it real paint? Why’s it so cheap? Can I paint my wall with it? Innocent people like you have burning questions… so here’s the scoop!
Sample paint is not real paint… period. There’s a big difference between good quality paint and poor quality paint y’all.
Sample paint is not even paint… it’s literally all fillers and no paint! If the drive-through lady handed you a cup of ALL ice and no soda would you say thank you and drink it?
Would you recommend it to your friends as an awesome way to get a cheap cup of soda?
Nope… because it’s not soda!
I know, I know… you’re all shaking your heads and telling me to calm down. I hear you, I really do but I hate to see people taken advantage of… people use sample paint every single day for projects that it won’t work on.
That doesn’t affect me… it affects you and I only want the best for you!
Here’s the scoop. Sample paint was created to test a color on a wall… that’s it. So it doesn’t have any of the bonding agent that normal paint has to make it durable and to bond to the wall. Since folks don’t understand this they use it on all kinds of stuff… I once saw a blogger recommend to her readers that they grab a couple sample quarts to paint their kitchen! I wanted to cry.
Now if you’re using your sample paint for crafts? That’s fine!
Small home decor pieces like picture frames? Also fine! I painted the round-about on my desk with sample paint over a year ago and haven’t had any problems… because it’s not a piece that receives heavy use or cleaning.
Dressers or furniture in guest rooms, or offices (anywhere out of the way really) is probably fine!
Your kitchen walls receive heavy use and require cleaning… so sample paint probably isn’t a great idea.
If you’re really confused and not sure where to go from here ask yourself these questions: Does my piece need to last for many years? Will it receive heavy use every single day? Will I need to clean it? Is it large and expensive to re-paint if I need to re-paint it a month from now?
If you said yes to any of those questions then sample paint probably isn’t your jam. Leave the sample paint for the DIY projects and grab a gallon of paint! If you’re still set on using your quart of sample paint for that coffee table makeover take a page out of Pinterest’s book and turn your sample into chalk paint!
Now we’re talking!
Of course after so many years of being the paint lady I’ve learned a thing or two… and instead of keeping it all to myself I’m sharing it with you in a little eBook called Inside the Paint Can: Beginner Tips and Tricks for Interior Painting!
Painting your home can be a daunting task but it doesn’t have to be. So if you’re ready to make painting a little less confusing you’ll love all 10 chapters of this book… it’s jam packed with the answers to all kinds of fun painting questions!
Thank you so much to Paula for having me today and thank YOU for reading! I’d love to have you over for a visit at Happily Ever After, Etc… hope to see you there!
Luna Nuñez says
Hi, thank you so much for answering this!
I’ve just used sample paint in some parts of a mural, and I am wondering if you have any recommendations for something to apply on top? Is there a way I could make it durable now?
Thank you
Luna
Debra says
Hello,
I wanted to stencil an area on my cement patio. I’m planning on using many colors so, this can get expensive. I was thinking of using sample paint but, I plan on clear coating the surface and doing two coats. Am I making a mistake? Penny wise dollar foolish? Ant advise is welcome!
Thank you!
Gabi says
Hi,
Similar to the other commenters, I have a project where I am using a lot of colors. I had a blank wall in my room so I am painting a mural but as it was expensive to buy an unneeded quart for every color, I bought sample paints. I’ve already begun painting the first coat and I’m gonna do a second but I’m now worried about it peeling later on. Is there some sort of clear sealant i could use to keep it on my walls for years to come?