Batching different sheen levels

m1951mm · 10-28-2011, 04:01 AM

I am starting this thread in response to another thread. (The poster has purchased paint that maybe is not in a sheen that they really like, i.e. purchased satin when eggshell is what they really wanted). I have in the past mixed flat with satin to acheive a more eggshell type finish. What are the pros and cons of doing this??

Ed G · 10-28-2011, 07:28 AM

I asked this same question at the local Sherwin Williams store and they told me that it is possible. They recommended bringing all of the paint into the store for them to mix it in their shaker... something about the different sheens being tricky to mix properly by hand. Of course, this is assuming the paint is the same brand and type.

chrisn · 10-28-2011, 07:45 AM

Why take the risk?

DrHicks · 10-28-2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1951mm

I am starting this thread in response to another thread. (The poster has purchased paint that maybe is not in a sheen that they really like, i.e. purchased satin when eggshell is what they really wanted). I have in the past mixed flat with satin to acheive a more eggshell type finish. What are the pros and cons of doing this??

Pros: If you're not picky about the finished color & sheen, you can cover a lot of square footage for cheap, by combining paints. I have some friends who recently painted the entire inside of their garage by throwing together "partials" of about 8 different cans of paint. I have no idea how to describe the color, other than that it was "kinda light."

Cons: Unless you're fastidious in thoroughly mixing it, you've got problems. Also, you'll never be able to perfectly match either the color or the sheen.

Brushjockey · 10-28-2011, 07:55 AM

The good Dr has it- I have done it many times- and I mixed it myself!
But I usually use it as a first coat to change a color- then finish with the real thing.

Gymschu · 10-28-2011, 08:32 AM

I did it once......I'll never take that chance again......ended up with splotchy walls after mixing flat & eggshell Promar 200.....lesson learned.

kkeith · 10-31-2011, 10:13 AM

I try to stay away from mixing my own paint because as previously noted it is hard to duplicate in the future, and requires buying more paint than is needed. Alternatively, try a different brand of paint that matches the sheen you want.
The sheen range for each sheen level are suggested by the Master Painters Institute (MPI) and most manufacturers try to comply with them to standardize the sheen. However each level has a range on the reflective gloss meter. Consequently one manufacturer may make their paint on one end of the range and another on the other end of the range, so an eggshell from one company may be almost identical to the satin of another because they are on the borderline of each adjacent category. Even within one manufacturer the same sheen could be different between their different product lines.

sdsester · 10-31-2011, 01:04 PM

Flat and higher sheens like acrylic or vinyl latex paints have totally different chemistry going on. It is not wise to mix them together.

kt82 · 10-31-2011, 11:21 PM

is it true you can "over roll" satins and eggsshells too much and ruin the sheen?

chrisn · 11-01-2011, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kt82

is it true you can "over roll" satins and eggsshells too much and ruin the sheen?

come again?

jsheridan · 11-01-2011, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisn

come again?

Yes, you shouldn't overroll sheen paints. Once a sheen starts to set, which happens pretty quickly, and sometimes as you're rolling, if you brush or roll into it, it will mar the finish and affect the uniformity of the sheen. When you roll, roll out your two widths forward and lightly lay off backwards into your previous sections, and leave it alone. Never try to "fix" something when sheens have started to set, you'll only make a bad situation worse. Let it dry and try to fix it then or recoat.