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Colour Samples &
How To Use Them

Get The Most
Out Of Your Colour Sample

Colour samples are a powerful tool - when used right.

But too often, you're given a sample and a cheap brush, and sent on your way to slap a square full of hard brush lines on a random wall.

No reasoning. No results.

 

At Rolling Thunder Painting Company, we believe that proper prep is key to a premium paint job - and your colour sample is one of the first steps.

 

We're gonna give you some pro tips to help you get the most out of your sample.

We didn't guess it - these are tested.

Testing Tips

Save this for later to be sure your sample shines

  • Where to test (and where not to)

Don't just throw your sample in the middle of a random, empty wall - that's not how you'll live with it, and it won't look the same once the whole room is done.

You'll be in for a surprise when your final coat dries.

 

Instead, hold your tester up next to your fixed features such as cabinets, backsplash, flooring, and artwork you plan to hang. This will give you a better idea of how the colour will play in your space, and what undertones may be drawn out.

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If you get a lot of light in the room, try to put the sample on the wall that gets the most light throughout the day, and remember to not put it next to anything that may cast a shadow and throw your colour off.

 

Also try high-traffic vs. low-traffic areas - bold and energizing near a busy kitchen might be overwhelming in a quiet hallway.

  • Test Under Different Light

We know lighting plays a huge role in your end result.

To not test your new colour under the lights in place would be flying blind.

Whether it's bright, electric pot lights in a garage, or the soft, warm glow of a table lamp in a den - let the lighting tell the story. 

Don't forget about natural light, and test your colour at different times of day to gain a full scope of what you've got. 

  • Prep Your Sample Like A Pro

We see it all the time - a sample slapped on the wall with a cheap brush and no game plan.

This only leads to hard brush lines, and more of a headache when it comes time to cover it up.

​If you want a real example of your true colour, treat

it like the real thing:

​

  • ​Use a mini roller to avoid those hard lines

  • Feather out the edges

  • Apply two full coats

 

The right test now saves the regret later.

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For even more versatility, apply your sample to a small piece of drywall or poster board. Now you can move your sample around the room for more visual clarity, and you can test it beside, and even behind things that may affect final results like couches, cabinets, fridges, and frames. This will give you a clearer sense of what to expect, and leave you with no regrets - just storm-certified results.

  • Don't Rush Results

No one likes to wait. But rushing the process can warp your results. Allow enough dry-time in between coats (a couple hours is usually good, but always check the can).

 

After your second coat is applied, leave it and come back the next day to really allow it to fully dry properly - tones and even sheens tend to shift throughout the drying process. 

 

Stick your sample next to your cupboards, sofa, or fixtures for a few hours and see how it lives in that space.

 

Notice how it catches your eye when you enter the room.

That's the kind of clarity you need before you commit - and the kind of confidence to command your colour.

  • Use Multiple Colours

Don't colour yourself into a corner - try out a few different samples. Even if your mind's made up about the colour you want, try a few shades from the same colour family to see how different tones might interact in your space.

 

Dead set on red? Try out Cherries Jubilee by Sherwin-Williams, or Vermilion by Benjamin Moore to give yourself a wider range to work with - just in case your first pick doesn't quite strike like lightning.

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*Save this picture as a quick go-to reference for your next project!*

Pro Tip: What's in a name?

Don't be fooled by flashy names, and fancy labels. One brand's "Firetruck Red" could be another's "Ravishing Ruby", and "Stormy Steel" might just be a dull gray in the daylight.

Names sell paint - but samples tell the truth.

Line 'em up, watch the light shift, and find the shade that speaks to you.

Found the perfect shade? Let us bring it to life. Contact us today!

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