Tinting water-based paint. Color for paint - types of substances for creating color and optimal combinations with your own hands (115 photos). In order not to be mistaken

The correct choice of the shade of paint that prevails in the room is not an easy task. But how annoying it becomes when, having decided, we cannot purchase a coloring coating in the desired color.

Achieving the desired shade by tinting the paint

In Soviet times, paints were produced in several colors, the desired shade was achieved by mixing the main palettes. Modern tinting systems allow you to "soften" the color or, conversely, make it more saturated, in general, to achieve any desired result.

How to tint paint - in our time, any owner who, at least from time to time, is engaged in repair and construction work at home, should know.

What is tinting

Kohler and colors

The word "color" in the exact translation is interpreted as a color, so ordinary consumers understand this expression in this way. Professional painters, who often encounter color, mean something different, as do color manufacturers.

In fact, the color is a special colorful composition.

Mechanical paint production

New-fangled technologies and the use of high-quality equipment make it possible to select colors using computer programs. The buyer is only required to indicate the shade he likes in the catalog offered to him, where the necessary palettes are collected.

The rest is a matter of technique - the computer will independently calculate the proportional ratio of "ingredients" to obtain the desired color at the output and will issue the finished mass in a single copy. Receiving the desired color is achieved thanks to the dispenser built into the machine.

The advantage of the machine method of obtaining paint is that even in the event of a shortage of one package, you can repeat the past success by re-kneading the components.

Of course, the mechanical option has a number of significant drawbacks that may make you reluctant to use this expensive method.

It is better to contact the store where the machine paint mixing service is provided during the daytime, so you can more accurately determine the shade. Artificial lighting makes cool colors darker, while warm reds or oranges, on the contrary, lighten. Too bright lamps in the room discolor pastel delicate colors.

Another feature is that in a small area the perception of the palette is different compared to large areas, especially when it comes to vertical surfaces. Therefore, with the choice of color, you can easily make a mistake, which means that the subsequent repair in the end will at least not suit the owner of the apartment.

In addition, as practice shows, it is impossible to achieve one hundred percent accuracy in mixing colors, this drawback can be noticeable under a certain lighting angle. To hide it, you will have to involve decorators who will break their heads with the task at hand and ask for a considerable monetary reward for this.

That is why many people prefer to mix paint on their own, relying on their own strengths and skills.

Manual mixing of dyes

By practicing manual tinting, you, one way or another, save money. It is not difficult to create the desired color of a light shade, it is a little more difficult to cope with dark tones.

It is almost impossible to make a mass exactly corresponding to the previous “batch”, therefore, before starting the procedure, you should calculate how much material you need to purchase at a time and use it immediately.

It will help to decide on the purchase of paint consumption, which is indicated on the label by the manufacturer. Measure the area to be painted and multiply this number by the average material consumption. Add another 10% to the resulting figure - stocking up on excess just in case also does not hurt.

You need to mix the paint in one container, which is the whole complexity of the process. Decorating the walls of spacious rooms requires the use of a large amount of material that will not fit in an ordinary basin or bucket. Therefore, if you encounter problems with the capacity, seek help from specialists.

Deciding on a purchase

The right choice of color

Some, having come to the store and seeing eye-pleasing shades of color, forget about what color they were originally interested in. Do not forget that the palette has many tones, you are faced with the task of choosing the right one for your interior and style.

For example, walls painted in flashy bright colors look completely strange against the background of classic-type furniture, so give preference to pastels.

Paint tinting does not tolerate different manufacturers of the base and the tinting pigment itself. Require the seller to select materials from one manufacturer.

Builders are advised to purchase colors packed in tubes equipped with narrow necks. Such a container in the mixing process will allow you to more accurately maintain the desired dosage of the substance. For tinting, a high-quality snow-white composition is ideal, which allows you to change the main paint to the desired color. A dirty pigment, for example, a beige and sandy shade, will not allow you to achieve the desired result.

If you don’t want to get into a mess - beware of a cheap product, choose proven factories and factories that have proven themselves in the building materials market on the positive side. No matter how great the desire to support the domestic manufacturer, imported analogues still meet international requirements and standards.

Types of water-based paint

There are several types of base paint, each of which differs from the other by a polymer.

Acrylic products are in the greatest demand today. A material is produced based on acrylic resins, which contain additives that determine the main characteristics of the product. The addition of latex makes the substance resistant to moisture.

By painting the plane in an acrylic composition, you can hide small irregularities and design defects from prying eyes. Acrylic fits perfectly on most of the coatings present in our homes - wood, metal, concrete, plastic and even glass. The product does not smell at all and dries in record time.

On sale you can also see silicone-based paint. Its high cost is due to the exceptional properties of vapor permeability and the possibility of application on wet surfaces.

The combination of water emulsion and liquid glass forms a silicate water-based paint. Due to the ability to absorb excess moisture and give it away at a low level of humidity in the room, the material is used for outdoor work, precipitation is also not terrible for the product.

Unlike other paints, mineral water emulsion, often consisting of cement or slaked lime. That is why the paint is used for brick structures, plaster. When the finish dries up, it is not afraid of the scorching summer heat, moisture and even chemical reagents.

Another important feature that needs to be taken into account is that when purchasing a base paint, make sure that the material is intended for the selected type of repair work. So, if - the appropriate surface for finishing should be indicated on the bank, no other is suitable.

Paint tinting technology

Tinting process

The step-by-step paint mixing procedure consists of step-by-step actions:

Stock up on a sufficient number of containers - glass jars, plastic baths. If the staining area is extensive, you will need basins and buckets. All containers must be pre-washed and dried. Do not allow dust and dirt on hands, containers or brushes.
Pour the dye into one of the small containers prepared for work, write down the measured volume on a piece of paper. Drip a few drops of color into the mixture and fix the data again.
Thoroughly mix the resulting contents with a clean wooden stick or a long-handled brush. When the consistency has acquired the desired uniformity, you can proceed to the next step.
Gradually adding color, you were able to get the desired tone. It's time to apply one layer of the solution to the area of \u200b\u200bthe plane that is planned to be painted. First, it is better to practice on a small square 40 * 40 cm in size. How the paint lays down can be judged after the first day after painting, when the structure is completely dry. The final evaluation is given in daylight.

Practice shows that on the wall the palette acquires a brighter shade than was stated in the bank.

If the tone in which the wall of the room is painted suits you, you can tint the paint based on its entire volume. When calculating the ratios, a fifth is subtracted from the estimated number of colors.

Calculation example

Let's say we need to get a shade close to the sea wave. Accordingly, white paint is mixed with green and blue colors.

For our sample, add 5 drops of blue tinting material and 2 drops of green to 100 ml of paint. This color suits us, therefore, counting the color scheme for the entire volume of the water emulsion, we get: 45 drops of blue and 16 drops of green tinting mixture will go to 1 liter of paint.

Do not be afraid to experiment, then you can achieve the best color.

Preparing the surface for painting

It would seem that the complex process of tinting is completed, you can breathe a sigh of relief. However, it is also important to correctly finish the paint.

Get rid of the old finish layer with a spatula. Chalk whitewash is washed off under concrete. It happens that the old water-based emulsion is so well adhered to the product that it is not possible to clean it completely. In this case, it is enough to walk on the coating with a damp cloth and, of course, leave it to dry completely.

Imperfect, and paint over the spots that appear with oil paint, similar in color to the one obtained as a result of tinting. The subsequent primer will provide the wall-mounted device with a sufficient level of dryness, which will significantly reduce the consumption of materials.

The water emulsion can be applied with a special paint roller, if desired, you can use a brush and even an airbrush. The latter requires certain skills in work.

Conclusion

Needless to say, proper tinting is in your hands. Follow the instructions, and the result will not keep you waiting.

If you cannot find a water-based paint in the desired color, but the quality of a certain manufacturer suits you, you can improve its palette by using a color scheme. Consider the intricacies of choosing a color scheme, find out what it is, study the types, the palette of popular tones and consumption.

What it is?

A tint is a concentrated pigment that allows you to give existing paints the desired shade. The term "tinting" literally means "color". Its main function is to create the right shades for painting concrete, brick and plastered bases. The tinting pastes that exist today can be used to color any surface.

Those tones offered by paint manufacturers are not always able to meet your needs, so the choice of paint is quite complicated. Color can help in such a situation. If you need to paint any surface, you take white paint as the basis. By adding concentrated pigment, you can get any conceived shade.

Kinds

It is necessary to pay attention to what elements the color consists of, since it may contain organic and inorganic materials. With the help of natural pigments, you can make the color brighter and more saturated. Before mixing, you can study the color cards of each brand. This will allow you to choose the tone as close as possible to the desired one, taking into account compatibility with a particular type of paint.

You can classify colors according to their release form. They are sold in the form of powder, paste and ready-to-use paint. The most economical option is color powder, which is mixed with water-based paint. The disadvantage of this form is the fact that when stirring it is problematic to obtain a homogeneous mass.

The most in demand color released in the form of a paste. It allows you to get beautiful natural shades. Add the paste to the paint gradually until you get the desired color. It is worth considering that when drying, the shade may change slightly.

Color packaging is different: you can purchase the product in special tubes, plastic bottles and vials. Store the material, regardless of its type, in a dark place where direct sunlight will not fall. In this case, the temperature should be at room temperature. The material under consideration can be divided into 2 main groups: inorganic and organic colors.

The latter are characterized by a more saturated color. The disadvantages include the fact that this color quickly loses its brightness if the coating is exposed to direct sunlight. Inorganic colors are produced in limited quantities. They have a rather dull color, but their color properties remain for a long period of time.

Colors

The color palette of colors of each type is diverse. Each company has its own characteristics. Speaking of the powder version, it should be noted that there are only a few possible shades. Paste color scheme is characterized by a wide range of colors that will allow you to turn any design idea into reality. Ready-to-use paints can be purchased in a variety of colors, but there aren't many of them to allow you to experiment.

By purchasing a specific color of the color in the form of a paste, you can vary its shade depending on the proportion. The palette of organic colors includes bright and saturated shades, but they fade relatively quickly in the sun. For this reason, they should not be used for outdoor work.. Pigments, which are based on inorganic components, are characterized by pastel colors, they are quite lightfast.

Today, in the stores of materials for construction, you can buy a pearlescent color scheme or a pigment that has a metallic sheen. You can use this color scheme for most modern paints and varnishes. Today, a wide range of colors are presented on the shelves of hardware stores. The most popular brands are Dufa, Tex, Dulax. Each of the presented manufacturers provides its own unique palette.

If you have not been able to find the desired shade, then you can search for it in the palette of a different brand or mix it yourself.

Popular shades today are:

beige;
pistachio;
Ivory;
silver;
golden;
gold glitter.

Consumption

The average consumption of 1 kg of color per 1 m2 depends on which paint is used. For example, for an emulsion variety, no more than 20% of the volume of the base white composition will be required. When it comes to oil-based paint, no more than 1.5% is required here. In other situations, the amount of color should be no more than 7%. The consumption of this material depends on what shade you want to achieve.

In any situation, adhere to the proportions indicated above. An excessively high concentration of concentrated pigment in the paint will lead to a decrease in its quality.

How to choose?

The modern construction market offers a fairly large range of colors that are suitable for various types of colorants. Some manufacturers produce pigment formulations that are versatile. These varieties can be used to give a shade to paint, plaster or putty mixture. This versatility is especially appreciated in the construction industry.

A wide range leads to the fact that the consumer is faced with the difficulty of choosing. It is necessary to stop the choice on one or another color based on what surface you plan to paint.

Consider the different types of colors and what surfaces they are recommended to use:

The liquid version is suitable for a variety of impregnations and primers. It can be added to varnishes that are used to treat wood. It is also used for various lumber.
Concentrates having a liquid consistency are designed for emulsion and dispersion paints. Therefore, they are suitable for the base base, which is made on water.
Color pastes can be purchased for alkyd and oil enamels. They can be used in various mixtures for whitewashing.
Universal materials can be used for different types of enamels.
The composition of the color scheme, supplemented with mother-of-pearl or metallic sheen, is characterized by a different list, which allows you to choose it for different paintwork materials.

Based on the purpose for which the color will be purchased, what paint it will be mixed with, you can make the right choice.

How to breed?

The choice is made, so we can proceed to further work: we turn our white base into a certain shade with the help of pigment. The dosage must be accurate in order to tint qualitatively. You need to prepare glass jars in advance. You can replace them with plastic food boxes. Before mixing, containers must be thoroughly washed and dried. This is an extremely important point when it comes to tinting.

Pour the base (white paint) into the prepared container. Be sure to write it down somewhere so you don't forget. This information is important for drawing up the correct proportion. You need to add color gradually. If it is liquid, then 2-3 drops will be enough.

Mix the paint thoroughly. If you plan to create a complex color that was not in the palette, then experiment by mixing 2-3 colors, but at first the amount should be small. Gradually add 2-3 drops until the desired color is obtained. The number of drops added must be recorded.

Often, poor mixing of the paint does not achieve the desired result. It happens that during the staining process, lumps with a more saturated color are formed in some areas, due to which the surface is painted unevenly.

Be careful to stir the paint well before applying to the surface. Otherwise, you will have to repaint it.

When the desired color is obtained, paint a small area of the surface. You need to check the color in a day, when the paint is completely dry. If you are satisfied with the result, you can tint the remaining paint in the same proportion. In a situation where you are not satisfied with the resulting shade, you need to increase or decrease the amount of color.

If you don't like the color at all, you can try a different one. Without proper experience, it is quite difficult to choose the right shade. On the wall, the paint will be several tones lighter, which is important to consider when diluting.

To achieve the desired result, be patient and take your time. After all, the color of the coating should be pleasant, be aesthetically attractive.

Especially for you, we have compiled a large list of tips that will help you with the selection, breeding and use of color. Consider these recommendations, which may teach you something new.

Surface mixing of paint will not allow you to get a uniform color. It is recommended to use a mixer or a plastering nozzle for a drill, which will ensure thorough mixing. In this case, the drill must be set to a minimum so as not to splatter the paint.
Preparation of paint is best done in one container. In a situation where you have not used the concentrated pigment completely, its remnants can be stored for about 5 years.
To find the desired color that can give you the desired shade, play in your head with the saturation of each of them.

If you don't want to experiment with color saturation, you can start diluting large volumes right away, but if you make a mistake with the proportion, you will lose a large enough amount of base paint, which will lead to unexpected expenses.
When buying a color scheme, calculate in advance how much will be required for the total amount of paint used.
In order not to make a mistake with the choice, be based on the manufacturer's catalog. This will allow you to see the finished shade.
If you plan to create original shades, use existing paint mixing tables.

Do-it-yourself tinting of water-based paint is not an easy process, but it is the only way to achieve the desired tone. Ready-made solutions offered on the paint and varnish market do not always meet the requirements set by the interior owner. Handmade tinting will help create the best color scheme and fit it organically into the interior.

Do-it-yourself paint tinting is needed for those cases when it is necessary to paint the surface in a complex color that cannot be found in a store and cannot be created on a tinting machine. A complex color contains several tones, which are best mixed in the right proportion and selected personally.

Water emulsion tinting is optimally suited for those cases when it is planned to paint the room in two colors that are in harmony with each other. Or if you need to match the color to the tone of certain accessories, furniture and other interior items. Based on this, the first rule of coloring a room follows - if you need to choose a complex color or choose a tone to match the color of objects in the room, then it is better to mix the paints yourself and in the room that you plan to paint.

You need to tint the paint with your own hands and at home because this option is much easier than choosing paint in a store. The tinting machine, with which the paint offered for sale is prepared, does not make mistakes in the selection of tone. But the nuance is that in different lighting the color looks different. Changes it and the surface area on which it is applied. Therefore, on a sample in a store, the paint looks in one tone, and when it is applied to the walls, this tone changes.

Paint tinting rules

As mentioned above, you need to select the tone for coloring in the room that will be painted. This is necessary precisely because of the nature and intensity of the lighting in the room. A bright day color will make the paint appear brighter or paler, depending on its color. To fully appreciate the tone and make sure that it is matched, you need to look at it both in daylight and in the light of an electric lamp.

When evaluating the paint with electric light, it is necessary to use the lamp that will be permanently located in the room. Different density or color of shades also impose their changes on the color of all objects in the room. The same applies to lighting power.
On a larger surface area, the colors look richer than on a small one. This is another reason for the difference in tone between the small probe and the surface. The light falls on the wall unevenly, because in the shaded areas, in the corners and under the windows, the paint looks darker than in other areas, even if the wall is painted in one color. All these nuances must be considered when choosing a tone for the walls.
When mixing color with paint, you do not need to pour a lot of dye into the base. It is necessary to add gradually and drop by drop, since even one drop changes the tone, and it will be quite difficult to return the paint to its original appearance.

What materials to buy

The manufacturer of the color scheme and its composition do not matter, this component does not affect the quality of the finished coating. Differences from different manufacturers exist only in the tones of the colors offered. Even the standard red of different brands has slightly different shades. Domestic colors in terms of quality and brightness of colors are in no way inferior to imported ones, but their price is much lower.

It is best to opt for a tube with a narrow neck. This is especially true for the first tinting experience. In general, there is only one decisive factor in choosing a color scheme - the desired color. The choice of the basis must be taken more seriously. Buy paint suitable for the type of surface to be painted.

There are specialized paints for walls or ceilings, it is not recommended to replace them with each other. When choosing a base, it is best to give preference to imported manufacturers. Paint for tinting is bought not just white, but snow-white. With a slight difference at first glance, white paint is not completely white and contains pigments that will interfere with creating the desired tone. Most often, white paint has a yellowish tint, which cannot be removed.

When mixed with a red tint, this shade will give it an orange tone, it will turn green into light green, and when a purple tint is added to such a paint, it will turn out to be a dirty gray color. Therefore, the paint for the base should be absolutely snow-white or as close as possible to that. Then the colors of the tinting of the paint will turn out exactly as they are needed.

Types of water-based paint depending on the composition

It is worth dwelling in a little more detail on the types of water-based paints produced in order to better understand which one to purchase for repairs. The division of this type of paints and varnishes takes place according to the type of polymer, which acts as the basis.

There are 4 types of data:

Acrylic paint. On the shelves of stores it is presented in a large assortment, as it is one of the most popular. It is made from acrylic resins with an admixture of various additives that give the paint its basic properties. If latex acts as an additive, then such paint tolerates high humidity well. Another remarkable feature of it is the ability to hide the irregularities of the painted material up to 1 mm in size. Acrylic paints are suitable for application on concrete, wood, metal, plastic and glass. The paint dries completely in a few hours and does not smell at all.

Silicone based paint. It has a slightly overpriced price, but is still widely used in construction. It has a significant advantage over competitors, which justifies its inflated price. This advantage lies in its vapor-permeable properties and the possibility of use on wet surfaces. Hides wall irregularities up to 2 mm in size.
Silicate water emulsion. It is a mixture of water emulsion and liquid glass. An interesting property of this paint is to absorb excess moisture and give it back when the humidity in the room decreases. This type of paint is ideal for outdoor work, as the coating from it endures all atmospheric phenomena. There is only one contraindication - it is not recommended to use it in rooms with constantly high humidity.
Water emulsion mineral. It differs from other types by the presence of cement or slaked lime in the composition. Ideal for covering concrete, brick or plaster. The dried layer of such paint is not afraid of bright light, moisture and chemical influences.

Paint coloring process

Step-by-step tinting of water-based paint looks like this:

For tinting, you will need small glass jars or plastic baths. It is convenient to use packaging from bulk cheeses or yogurts for this purpose. All materials must be thoroughly washed. All containers, hands and hands should be clean.
A little paint is poured into one of the small containers, its volume is recorded. A little color is added to the paint - a few drops. Record the number of drops poured into the jar.
Mix well in the jar. Stir until the color is uniform. Start the mixture with 2-3 drops and then add one at a time so as not to spoil the prototype.
When the desired tone is obtained in the jar, it is applied to a small area of \u200b\u200bthe surface that is planned to be painted. For a prototype, it is enough to paint a 40 by 40 cm square. The surface is left to dry for a day, and then its tone is assessed under natural and electric light. As a rule, the color becomes brighter on the wall than it was in the jar.
If the resulting tone suits, then the entire volume of paint is tinted. When calculating the proportions, 20% is subtracted from the calculated amount of color. This is done because the color on a larger area looks brighter than on a small square.

An example of calculating the number of colorizers:

In the test sample, the color of the sea wave was obtained; for this, green and blue colors were added to the white paint.
5 drops of blue and 2 drops of green are added per 100 ml.
In proportion to 1 liter of paint, 50 drops of blue and 20 drops of green are needed, but this calculation is not correct.
The surface to be painted has a larger area than the test sample, therefore 20% is subtracted from the proportion.
Correctly add 45 drops of blue and 16 drops of pink to the indicated amount of paint. In this case, the tone will match the expectations.
If the finished shade of paint does not fit, increase the amount of color or add other shades. For the work to be successful, it must be treated as entertainment and a creative process. Then all the colors will mix easily, and the colors will turn out bright and saturated.

Rules for painting surfaces with water-based paint

Mixing colors and making a water-based paint of the desired tone is only half the battle. Next, it must be qualitatively applied to the surface. This type of paintwork is suitable for painting plaster, brick, concrete, drywall and other materials. But to apply a high-quality layer of paint that will last for a long time, you need to follow some simple staining rules:

Water-based paint has a rather liquid consistency, therefore, before painting the ceiling or walls, it is recommended to remove all interior items from the room or cover them with a film.
The surface is prepared for painting. If the layers of the old coating peel off, they must be removed. Chalk whitewash is washed off completely.
If the old water-based paint does not peel off on the surface, then it is not necessary to remove it, just wipe it off the dust with a damp cloth and let it dry.
All irregularities are carefully sealed with putty, because under a layer of paint, even shallow cracks will be noticeable.
If there are streaks or spots on the surface, they are painted over with oil paint, similar in color to the prepared tone of the water-based emulsion. In water-based paint, all foreign substances dissolve and then appear through it. This will greatly spoil the freshness of the repair and the appearance of the room.
Also, oil paint is used to treat all metal parts on the surface that fall under the area to be painted. Oil paint does not have to be exactly the same color, but it is better to take a tone lower than the water-based emulsion used.

After processing all cracks and metal objects, it is recommended to carefully treat the surface with a primer. This will not only protect the wall from moisture and prolong the life of the coating, but also improve the adhesion of the paint to the coating. Another plus in favor of priming is that priming reduces the ability of materials to absorb moisture, which allows the paint to be applied more evenly and reduces material consumption.
Primers according to their composition are divided into acrylic, alkyd; for metal and for concrete. As a basis for a water-based emulsion, an acrylic primer is optimal.
Apply a water-based emulsion to the surface using a paint roller, a wide paint brush or an airbrush. If the paint is applied to a thin layer of putty, then the spray gun is the best tool, since the roller will pull the putty and its entire layers will be torn off the surface. When working with an airbrush, it is necessary to protect the respiratory organs with a respirator.
The lower temperature threshold for painting work is + 5 ° C.
If painting is carried out using a roller, then it is convenient to use a special tray. It allows you to easily pick up material with a roller and remove excess material using a ribbed section.
Painting the walls begins in the farthest corner relative to the entrance to the room. The roller moves along the wall strictly vertically.
Water-based paint is applied in several layers. The first layer is allowed to dry for 1-4 hours, and then re-staining is carried out.

Color for acrylic paint is usually selected when there is no ready-made material of the desired shade on sale. By correctly mixing the white base with one or more tinting compounds, you can get any, even the most complex, tone.

Working with color always involves some difficulties, so when starting to create an original shade, it is important to take into account some subtleties and professional techniques.

Machine tinting

In large stores of finishing materials, acrylic paints are presented in a wide variety of colors. You can get acquainted with the various options by looking at the catalog of shades.

It is very convenient to order the paint of the chosen tone in the right quantity without leaving the counter. Thanks to a special computer program, the machine will mix the dye with the white base in the required proportions, and the problem will be solved.

It is advisable to calculate the consumption in advance in order to purchase the material in one batch. Even with machine mixing, there may be a slight difference in the tone of the compositions tinted in one color, which will lead to a visual defect in the decorative coating.

Manual tinting

If among the dozens of shades presented in the store's catalog there is not a single sample that would fully meet the requirements, you should not give up your ideas and compromise, because the color in the interior is of great importance! You just have to be patient and tint the acrylic paint yourself. You will also need this method if there is no store nearby with a computer tinting installation.

What will be required?

No complicated fixtures are needed. Decide on a color and prepare everything you need.

White base paint. It is taken in an amount sufficient to cover the entire surface to be finished. It is not difficult to calculate the costs, because the manufacturer always indicates the material consumption per 1 sq. meter. It is recommended to add one tenth of the figure to the figure obtained in order to avoid an accidental shortage of composition. Also keep in mind that usually acrylic paint is applied to the surface in two layers, so that the coating is rich and even in tone.
Colors (one or more, depending on the complexity of the desired shade).
Mixing container. The material is tinted in one large container (bucket or basin), so that in the end a completely uniform composition for coloring the entire surface is obtained.
Construction mixer or drill with a special nozzle.
Small container for sample preparation.
A pipette or syringe, which is convenient to add color, while counting drops (if the bottle with color is not equipped with a narrow spout).

Important: the colorant must match the composition of the base solution or be universal. It is impossible to tint acrylic paint based on an organic solvent with a water-soluble pigment (and, conversely, water-based - organic).

Create a probe

In order not to make a mistake with the color and not spoil all the purchased material, it is better to tint its minimum amount, while calculating the proportions. It is done like this:

pour 100 ml of white paint into a small container;
draw liquid pigment into a pipette and drip, counting each drop, into a future sampler (start with a small portion of color);
write down the numbers on paper;
mix thoroughly;
add color until you get the right shade, and each time fix the number of drops on paper to make the final calculation.

It is advisable to prepare the probe in the room to be finished, and under the usual lighting for this room. The fact is that natural daylight and a chandelier or sconce “beat” the same shade in different ways.

Make sure that the lighting and the shade you created do not "argue" with each other. To do this, apply paint on a piece of plywood or thick cardboard, let it dry and look at it from a distance of several meters and from different angles. Everything is fine? Then it's time to take the next step.

Getting the right shade

When the sampler is ready, you can start mixing the main volume of paint.

The calculations will be as follows: for one liter of white composition, you need to take 4/5 of the amount of color spent on the sampler, multiplying them by 10.

For example: to 100 ml of paint you added 10 drops of one dye and 5 drops of another. So, per liter of white base you will take 80 and 40 drops, respectively. The amount can be reduced a little more if in doubt, because it will not be difficult to add brightness if necessary, but it will not be possible to whiten the tone.

Now the composition must be mixed very carefully. Use a construction mixer or a nozzle on a drill, so things will go faster. Turn on the appliance at low speeds (it is undesirable to whip the paint).

Tinting can also be done independently, by calculating the proportion first on a small part, and then mixing the entire volume.

It is quite difficult to stir it manually by hand, small errors may remain, which will appear on the surface in the form of stains, spots and stripes.

What should be considered when self-tinting?

Before tinting the white composition to the chosen color, take into account the following:

Acrylic paints intended for interior decoration differ in the degree of whiteness (this is especially true for aqueous dispersions). The higher this indicator, the better the base material, as well as the cleaner and juicier the tone will be when tinting.
On the packaging of materials, manufacturers often mark "for ceilings" or "for walls." These recommendations should not be neglected, since the technical characteristics of such compounds are always different. The walls are finished with paints that create a coating that is more resistant to abrasion and pollution, and the ceilings, as a rule, are treated with vapor-permeable coloring agents.
On a large area, the color looks brighter, and on a wall with a window opening, it looks darker. A textured painted surface will also look darker by a tone or two.
A glossy finish “plays” with the shades present in the interior, reflects light, while a matte finish usually looks more restrained and monotonous.

Features of colors for acrylic paint

Pigments for acrylic paints are produced on organic and inorganic bases. The former have a rich palette of colors, and the shades created using them are as bright as possible (sometimes even "poisonous"). The latter are more suitable for tinting paint in delicate, natural, pastel colors. They are used in the decoration of children's rooms and bedrooms.

Organic dyes are unstable to fading, therefore, over time, they lose their brightness under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Inorganic pigments are lightfast, so they can be used for facade work.

Colors are available in the form of liquids, pastes and powders.

Liquid pigments, when mixed with a white base, give shades of almost any complexity. They are usually used for artistic painting of walls and ceilings. If the drawing needs an exceptionally bright color, you can apply liquid color in its pure form.

Pastes are quite easy to use, but their saturation and color characteristics are very inaccurate, and sometimes absent at all, so the result of tinting can be unexpected.

It is inconvenient to work with powders: it is difficult to determine the right amount of pigment, it is difficult to mix with paint. The choice of colors is small, but dry colors are the most affordable.

Attention: when mixed with acrylic paint, the amount of colorant should not exceed 8% of the total volume of the finishing material.

When a person plans to renovate, he wants his apartment or house to look special. This can be achieved in various ways, in particular with the help of paint colors. The use of coloring pigments is also justified in the case when you need to choose a color for a certain interior, for perfect harmony of shades, or if you cannot find the required color in stores.

It also happens that the color paint was not enough to paint the entire surface, and the store ran out of the desired color. This is where color comes in handy. But what is paint tinting, what pigments are there, how to do it yourself and many other issues need to be considered in more detail.

What is tinting

Tinting of colorants is called a peculiar process of combining the two main components to achieve the desired shade. Color selection is carried out in two ways - independently or through special programs. In the second case, you just need to enter the required color into the program, and the system will independently calculate the percentage of paint and pigment.

Types of tinting pigments

Modern colors are produced in two main types - organic and synthetic (inorganic). The former are distinguished by the widest choice of shades, but they have one significant drawback - fading under the influence of sunlight. Synthetic colors are resistant to any manifestation of weathering, but the color palette is smaller.

To get a perfectly correct and accurate shade, a tinting system is used. Colorants for white paint come in three forms:

The paste may or may not be based on dispersant resins. Among the wide range, you can choose universal types that are great for enamel, water-based emulsion and other types. Pastes are easy to use, the shade can be adjusted during mixing. The disadvantage is that there is no standard characteristic for the saturation of shades. Therefore, in the end result, you can get a completely different tone. For example, you assumed that you would get a light red color scheme, but in fact it turned out to be dark red. Therefore, it is important to initially carry out experimental staining on a small area of the surface. The result is visible after drying.
Dry pigment is considered the most inexpensive. Before diluting the powder, you need to stir it into the base, depending on the type of paint. For example, if you have oil paint, then you must dilute the dry color in drying oil. Has many disadvantages. For example, it is difficult to adjust the exact color and there is a small range of colors available.
Dyes in liquid form are produced on a different basis, therefore they are considered specialized. Among the range there are colors for water-based or oil-based paints, etc. Due to this composition, the liquid pigment itself can be used as a paint. In this case, the color will turn out to be as bright and saturated as possible.

Tinting methods

What is tinting for paint is already clear. But you can do it in different ways. The choice depends on material possibilities and preferences.

Coloring by computer

Computer tinting of paint in tinting machines is considered the most accurate.
Advantages:

speed of tone creation;
maximum accuracy;
the ability to choose colors for fans of almost all brands;
simultaneous tinting of several cans of paints at once;
savings for large areas of work;
selection of base colors for dark tones at the automatic level;
the safety of recipes and the possibility of obtaining new colors in the future.

The disadvantages include only one factor - this is the inability to make tinting directly on the object.

Manual tinting

Do-it-yourself paint tinting involves manual mixing of the components and independent selection of the pigment.

Process features:

Manual mixing is used when you want to create a unique color that consists of several shades. It is also used if it is necessary to create a smooth transition of shades in one room.
It is very important to make a trial mixing and apply the resulting color to the surface until completely dry. Only in this way will you get a perfectly accurate shade. This should be done under the same lighting in which the paint will be used.
Remember, artificial lighting can greatly change the shade of yellow and blue paint. The same applies to varying degrees to other colors. Therefore, be prepared for this. In short, cold tones look darker, and warm tones look lighter.
If the walls are painted over a large area, then unlike a small painted area, the color will also be perceived a little differently.
The main advantage of manual tinting is the ability to create color directly at the workplace.
The disadvantage is that you will have to immediately mix the entire amount of paint needed to paint the intended area. Because in the future it will be impossible to create exactly the same shade. In this respect, computer tinting wins.

What equipment is used?

Specialized equipment for tinting is used both with a computer method and with a manual one:

A dispenser is needed to supply the exact amount of pigment to the total mass.
Mixer in the form of a mixer or shaker. For home tinting, you can use an electric drill with a special nozzle. Thanks to the mixer, it is possible to obtain the most homogeneous mass. Remember that the pigment can form peculiar threads and clusters.
The spectrophotometer is designed to read information even from a small colored sample. Thanks to this device, a computer program selects a color scheme.

Tinting technology

Before you tint the paint, you need to calculate the color consumption, choose the tone and prepare the necessary tools. Of course, if you do it at home. To facilitate the work, specialists have created a special tinting table, thanks to which you will know how to properly dilute the pigment, in what ratio. But you need to understand that it is rather arbitrary, and the proportion may differ depending on the paints and components used.

Color calculation rules

To correctly calculate the ratio, it is necessary to minus a fifth of the amount of pigment. As an example, consider a color that is as close as possible to a sea wave. To obtain such a shade, it is necessary to add blue and green colors to the white paint. For example, 200 ml of paint consumes 10 drops of blue pigment and only 4 drops of green. To calculate the consumption per 5 kg of paint, you accordingly increase the amount of pigment by multiplying. As a result, we get: 250 drops of blue and 100 drops of green.

Mixing components - step by step instructions

Prepare several small containers. Remember, they must be perfectly clean.
Pour the components to be tinted and be sure to record the data on the amount of ingredients.
Apply a small amount of the resulting paint to the surface to be subsequently painted.
Let dry.
Apply another layer if necessary.
Color evaluation is carried out only in daylight and after complete drying.
After you achieve the desired shade, you can begin to tint the entire mass of paint.
For a large staining area, you will need many containers or one, but large. If you use 3-4 small containers, then pour the paint into it in exactly the same amount.
Wash the containers, wipe thoroughly and dry. Even the presence of dust should not be allowed.
Stir the laid out paint with a wooden stick and begin to gradually add color. First mix with a piece of wood, and then use an electric drill with a mixing attachment. This will give you uniformity.
Next, you can paint the surface.

Remember that on a painted wall or other surface, the shade is always 1-2 tones lighter than it looks in the jar. Therefore, carry out experimental tests on the same material on which the color will be applied.

Overview of the most popular colors

Today, the construction market is simply overflowing with various coloring pigments of any type and manufacturer. The most popular and in demand among foreign and domestic pigments are the following:

Tikkurila Symphony is used to tint Tikkurila paint. It has the widest range of shades (2256), up to 10 only white. It is applied to internal finishing works. But for internal, the company of the same name produces the Tikkurila Facade pigment. There are more options for coloring antiseptics and varnishes.
"Natural Color System" (NCS) is produced according to Swedish and Norwegian standards. In this system, there are 6 primary (base) colors and many shades. Thus, it turns out that the basic shades are qualified by letter designations, and the percentage of the main color in the color scheme is digital.
"Tex" is produced specifically for water-dispersion dyes. It has a high quality, despite the fact that it is a domestic product. It is made from imported active pigments using German equipment.
"Aqua-Color" is produced in St. Petersburg. Differs in universality, high quality and a wide range of shades. It is used for any paints and finishing works.
Olki manufacturing company produces Unicolor paint. Designed for many types of LKS.
The Moscow factory "Rogneda" produces coloring pigments "Dali". Also of high quality, used for enamels, whitewash, water-based paints. Applies to all surfaces.

Read about it in a special article on our website.