Touch-Up Paint vs. Repaint: Which is Best for Your Hamilton Home?
When your house gets painted, it is typically done because of a passing comment or a color match that someone noticed. If their nose was able to breathe while looking at the new paint color, then it got saved!
By this rule, most people are aware of what kind of paint is needed for a room. For example, if a friend told you her kitchen needed a new coat of white primer, then you would know how to get the job done.
However, there are other types of paints that can be considered touch up materials instead of re-painting. These special type of paints do not require an additional layer of another material like primer before applying onto the surface. They are already completed!
This article will talk about some examples of these two different painting styles and determine which one is better in our every day lives.
What is touch up paint?
Touch-up paint is limited use, non-permanent coverage product that you use to fix small cracks or holes in your painted surface. Most vendors offer it as an add-on feature for color changing paints like matchbox covers and shower doors!
Touch up paint is not designed to be used on finished surfaces nor is it intended to cover larger areas of damage. These are called repainting or re-finishing projects.
Because it is typically very expensive, touch up paint is usually only done if there are few enough drops to spread out. Most people only ever use it once or twice because it can cost more than $25 per drop!!
Reminder: Never use anything but OEM (original equipment manufacturer) products when repairing your vehicle! Non-OEM products will likely void your warranty.
Is touch up paint the same as repaint?
Technically, yes! Both are ways to bring back the original luster of your painting. However, there is a slight difference in what kind of paints they use and how they apply them.
Touchup paint is usually a very thin layer of new paint that covers up the old dried-on coating. It’s typically a clear coat which makes it more durable than regular paints. The problem with this type of coverage is that it may not be quite enough to match the tone of the painting.
Repaints are thicker layers of fresh paint that are matched to the color and texture of the rest of the painting. This gives you better results because it really works to reestablish the shape and look of the artwork.
However, if you have run out of either one or the other, then don’t worry about it! You can always visit your local home improvement store or source some online reviews to find something close to yours.
How do I know if I need touch up paint?
The first thing to consider is whether or not you can find the source of the damage. If you accidentally spilled some coffee on your new furniture, then buying another bottle of espresso may be your best bet!
If you’re looking at your furniture like we are here today, then it’s probably clear that there’s an accident underway. You will want to determine if the color is already in products so you don’t have to buy extra-expensive replacer powder or liquid.
It’s also important to remember how much product you used originally. Some colors seem to run more quickly than others, and too many drops could create problems later.
If you read our article about types of paint, you’ll notice that most paints come in either oil or water base. A few brands offer both solid and water-based versions of their primer/paint sets, but they’re not universal.
How do I use touch up paint?
Touch-up painting is done to restore some of the original luster or shine that you can’t quite get from repainting.
It is typically a oil-based product, like most paints, and it dries very quickly. Because it is only slightly thicker than regular liquid paint, it goes on more smoothly and covers one bit more slowly. This is helpful because sometimes people accidentally scrape off too much of the old layer, leaving a thin spot.
Touch up paint is usually cost effective as well. It is often found in stores for around $10 per bottle, which makes many brands very popular. There are also professional grade versions that may be several times more expensive, but they always include special drying agents to make sure the surface stays protected until it is completely dry.
Removing dried down grease with rubbing alcohol is an easy way to apply just about any type of touch up paint.
What are the potential risks?
There can be some serious costs to buying or mixing paint yourself. Certain colors may not be available in stores, and if you use poor quality paints, they may lack the proper qualities.
Some of these qualities include durability, sheen, and longevity. It is important to know what kind of finish your painting will have before starting!
By using cheap paint, you could risk damaging the surface of the furniture or kibbitzing (spreading) of the new coat of paint. The texture and look of your painted item will suffer greatly due to this.
To avoid this, make sure to research various types of paint so that you know which ones are best for your projects. We recommend doing an online search for tips on how to mix your own paints! You can also visit your local art supply store to learn more about all of their products. They’ll probably have helpful guides and videos as well.
What should I look for when buying touch up paint?
The price of each can’t be underestimated as this will make or break your painting project! It is very expensive to buy new cans of primer and topcoat, so looking into recycled ones is the best way to go.
There are many sources where you can find leftover cans from various projects. Companies often have their used products donated to charitable organizations that conduct dry-wipe testing to determine if a product works anymore. These sites get these cans in large quantities so it is not too expensive to use them either.
A lot of people also choose to return items they purchase instead of buying a new one, which again reduce the cost of new paint. By going through your own supplies, you will know what colors match what and if there is any leftover material that does not work.
What should I use?
When deciding what paint to use to touch up your furniture, choose from either professional quality paints or interior design grade colors!
Interior design-grade colors are not as expensive as professional level painting. They are also less durable than higher end paints. For example, most gel stains come in a can that does not need to be opened with care due to it’s thickness. A few drops of color will saturate the surface and dry down quickly, making it hard to know just how much coverage you got.
If you want to cover up scratches or blemishes, choosing lower cost paints is better than no paint at all! You may have to do several coats to get the same effect, but they will work well for your purposes.
How can I get the best results?
When painting a room, there are two main types of coats you apply: touch up paint and full repainting. The term “touchup” comes from the furniture industry where professional artists use it to refer to changing the hue or color of an item such as a table leg.
A small amount of touchup paint will take away from the intensity of the original color. A larger amount is one stick of white or cream-colored paint that covers most of the area of the painted surface. This new coat dulls the effect of the previous layer of paint.
By using just enough touchup paint, your remodel will last much longer than if they were replaced with a complete re-painting. For example, instead of replacing a wall cover with a new pattern, use just enough matchstick-size touches of white paint to blend in with the rest of the walls.
This way, you won’t notice the change until later when you want to repeat the pattern. It’s also cost effective — buying a little bit more paint at a time means you spend less money overall.
Full re-paintings are usually needed when water damage was done to the existing coating of the object. Water seeps into the old primer and spreads, causing peeling and fading of the paint.
When this happens, a whole new layer needs to be applied so that it does not react with the older layer.
Need a touch-up or painting service in Halifax? Contact us for free quote.