Say Goodbye to “Close Enough” Colors
We’ve all been there. You spend hours staring at a wall of tiny paper paint swatches, trying to decide if “Cloud Dancer” is more blue or more grey than “Frosted Morning.” You pick one, get it home, paint a whole room, and realize… it’s just not right. It doesn’t quite match your favorite throw pillows, or it clashes with the heirloom quilt your grandmother made.
At Janesville Hardware, we think picking a paint color should be a lot more fun and a lot less stressful. What if you didn’t have to choose from a pre-made list of colors? What if you could find inspiration in the world around you and bring that exact shade right onto your walls?
That’s where our custom paint matching service comes in. Whether you are trying to match a specific thread in a sweater, an existing wall in your hallway that needs a touch-up, or the exact shade of your kitchen cabinets, we can help you get it perfect.
The Magic of Custom Tinting at Janesville Hardware
You might be wondering, “How do they actually do that?” It’s a mix of high-tech science and a little bit of local hardware store expertise. We use a specialized spectrophotometer (say that three times fast!) to scan your sample. This machine breaks down the light reflecting off your object into its individual color components.
Once we have that digital “fingerprint” of the color, our expert team at the paint counter uses our precision tinting system to mix the exact pigments into a fresh can of Valspar paint. The result? A color that is uniquely yours.
The “Bigger Than a Dime” Rule
We love a challenge, and we’ve matched some pretty unique items over the years. However, to give you the most accurate match possible, we do have one simple rule: the sample needs to be bigger than a dime.
Why a dime? The “eye” of our color-matching scanner needs a flat, consistent area of color to read. If a sample is too small, the scanner might pick up shadows or the colors surrounding it, which can throw off the formula.
Here are a few things you can bring in for us to match:
- Fabric Samples: A favorite sweater, a piece of a curtain, or a cushion cover.
- Drywall Chips: If you’re doing a repair, bring us a piece of the original wall (about 1 inch by 1 inch is perfect).
- Cabinet Doors: If you’re adding new trim or shelving and want it to disappear into your cabinetry.
- Heirlooms: A vintage vase, a hand-painted tile, or even a piece of patterned wallpaper.
As long as it’s flat and at least the size of a dime, we can likely match it!
Why We Trust Valspar: Medallion Plus and ProHide Gold Ultra
When you go through the effort of finding the perfect custom color, you want to make sure the paint itself is high-quality. That’s why we proudly stock Valspar products. We specifically recommend two of our favorites for our Janesville DIYers: Medallion Plus and ProHide Gold Ultra.
Valspar Medallion Plus: The All-Around Champion
If you’re looking for a paint that can handle the chaos of a busy household, Medallion Plus is your best friend. This is a premium 100% acrylic paint and primer in one. It’s designed to be incredibly durable and resistant to stains and fading.
Why DIYers love it:
- Excellent Hide: It covers existing colors beautifully, often in fewer coats.
- Scrubbable: Did the kids decide the hallway was a racetrack for muddy toy cars? No problem. This paint stands up to cleaning without losing its finish.
- Mildew Resistance: The paint film is treated to resist mildew, making it a great choice for bathrooms or laundry rooms where moisture is common.
Valspar ProHide Gold Ultra: The Professional Choice for a Smooth Finish
For those bigger projects where you want a truly flawless, uniform look, ProHide Gold Ultra is the way to go. This paint is a favorite among local contractors because it flows on smoothly and provides a professional-grade finish every time.
Why it’s perfect for your home:
- Superior Levelling: It spreads evenly, which means fewer brush marks and a smoother surface.
- High Hide: It’s specifically formulated to block out the old color, ensuring your new custom tint looks exactly like it’s supposed to.
- Great Value: It provides a high-end look at a price point that makes it accessible for whole-house painting projects.
How to Prepare Your Sample for Success
To ensure your custom match is a “one-and-done” success, here are a few pro tips for bringing in your samples:
- For Wall Chips: Use a utility knife to carefully score a square in an inconspicuous area (like behind a door or near the baseboard). Peel it back carefully. If you bring us a piece that’s too thin or crumbly, the scanner might have trouble. Try to get a solid piece that shows the true color.
- For Fabrics: Make sure the fabric is clean. Dust or dirt on a sweater can change the way the color reads. If the fabric has a pattern, point out exactly which thread or section you want us to match.
- For Painted Objects: If you’re bringing in a shelf or a small furniture piece, try to make sure it’s free of wax or polish, as these can create a sheen that tricks the scanner.
Don’t Forget the Sheen!
Color is only half the battle. When you come into Janesville Hardware, our team will also ask you what “sheen” or “finish” you want. This is how shiny or matte the paint looks once it dries.
- Flat/Matte: Best for hiding imperfections on walls. Great for ceilings or low-traffic rooms.
- Eggshell/Satin: The most popular choice for living rooms and bedrooms. It has a soft glow and is easier to clean than flat paint.
- Semi-Gloss: Perfect for trim, cabinets, and bathrooms. It’s very durable and easy to wipe down.
When we match your color, we can mix it into any of these finishes in our Medallion Plus or ProHide Gold Ultra lines!
Visit Janesville Hardware for Your Next Project
Painting your home is one of the easiest ways to totally transform your space, but it shouldn’t feel like a chore. At Janesville Hardware, we want to make sure you walk out the door feeling confident that you have exactly what you need.
Our team is always here to help you troubleshoot your DIY projects. Whether you’re stuck on which brush to use or you can’t decide between two shades of green, just ask! We’ve been helping our neighbors in Janesville for years, and we love seeing your “before and after” photos.
So, go ahead: grab that favorite sweater, peel off that piece of drywall, or bring in that colorful cabinet door. As long as it’s bigger than a dime, we’ll help you bring that color to life.
Ready to get started? Stop by the store today and let’s get mixing! You can also check out our sitemap to see all the other ways we can help you with your home improvement goals.
Quick Summary Checklist for Your Paint Trip:
- The Sample: At least 1 inch square (bigger than a dime).
- The Surface: Clean and representative of the color you want.
- The Project: Know which room you’re painting so we can help you choose between Medallion Plus and ProHide Gold Ultra.
- The Sheen: Have an idea if you want it matte, shiny, or somewhere in between.
We’ll see you at the paint counter!
