How to Match Old Paint on a Wall

You find a paint color you love. Maybe it’s on a wall in your house, a magazine photo you clipped out months ago, or an old can of paint you used years ago that’s now dried up and missing a label. You want that exact color back in your home, not just something close, but a perfect match. That’s when the frustration begins.

Trying to match a paint color can feel like chasing your tail. Lighting, sheen, and even how long ago the original paint was applied all affect the result. If you try to eyeball it, you’ll likely end up with a wall that looks “off,” especially once the paint dries. And if you're hiring a painter in Omaha and don’t already have the exact color or brand, how do you even start?

It’s easy to feel stuck or overwhelmed when something as small as a color chip can throw off your entire project.

At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve been helping Omaha homeowners match paint colors, new and old, since 1996. Whether someone’s trying to repaint a small patch or coordinate an entirely new color scheme, we’ve seen nearly every kind of color matching challenge you can think of. Because we focus on detailed prep work and use high-quality paints, we know that color accuracy isn’t just about appearance; it affects how your home looks for years.

Our job isn’t just to paint. It’s to guide you through smart choices, avoid common frustrations, and help you feel confident every step of the way.

This article will walk you through how to color-match paint, whether you’re repainting a section of your wall or trying to figure out the best way to match a shade you love. By the end of reading this article, you’ll know exactly what to look for, what to avoid, and what your options are if you want to get it right.

How to Match a Paint Color

If you're asking, “How can I match a paint color?” — you're not alone. Here’s how to tackle it step by step.

1. Ask Your Painter for Help

If you're hiring a painter in Omaha, ask what their process is for paint color matching. A good painter will have access to professional color tools, samples, and experience in evaluating light and sheen. They’ll also know which brands match better than others.

At Brush & Roll Painting, we often bring fan decks or match samples directly to our in-home color consultations so homeowners can see colors in their actual space.

2. Start With What You Know

Do you have the original can of paint? Even if it’s crusty and half-empty, check for the label. That can tell you:

• Brand, exact product, base color, and finish
• Color name or number
• Mix code

If the label’s faded or missing, the paint store that originally sold it might still have the formula on file. Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and other brands often keep a digital history of what’s been mixed.

3. Take a Paint Chip With You

If you don’t have the original can or label, try to remove a small sample from the wall. This works best in a low-visibility area like behind a switch plate or inside a closet. You don’t need a huge piece — something the size of a quarter works.

Take this chip to a paint store, and they’ll run it through a spectrophotometer. This tool reads the color and suggests the closest match in their system.

Pro tip: the smoother and cleaner the chip, the better the match will be.

4. Try a Paint Color Match App

Yes, there’s an app for that. Several major paint companies now offer color match apps that help identify shades just by using your phone’s camera.

Popular color match apps for paint include:

• Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio® App
• Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap® Match
• Behr ColorSmart®
• Project Color™ by Home Depot

These apps let you upload a photo or point your phone at a color, and then they give you suggested paint matches.

Keep in mind, lighting can throw off phone cameras. If you use a color match app for paint, take your photo in natural daylight with no shadows or bright glare. Apps are a good starting point, but they’re not always 100% accurate.

5. Use Fan Decks and Sample Cards

If digital tools aren’t your thing, ask a local paint store for a fan deck. These are physical color decks, basically giant swatch books, that allow you to compare your wall color to hundreds of paint options in person.

Hold the swatches up to your wall in both natural and artificial light. Morning and afternoon sunlight can change how a color looks, as well as the light fixtures on ceilings, walls, or lamps. Choose the swatch that seems to disappear into the wall — that’s the closest match.

6. Paint a Test Patch First

Once you’ve narrowed it down, paint a small test area. This helps you see what the color really looks like once it dries. Don’t just look at it immediately — paint can take a few hours to cure, and the final color often looks a little different than it does wet.

We usually recommend painting two coats in a 2x2-foot square in a few different lighting conditions, especially if you’re trying to match an existing color.

7. Know When an Exact Match Isn’t Possible

Some paint colors fade over time, especially in sunny rooms. If your original wall paint was applied ten years ago, you may not get a perfect match. Even if you still have the original brand and formula, the new paint may look different next to the older wall.

In these cases, the best option may be to repaint the entire wall or section so it blends evenly. If you’re only repainting a small spot, it might still be visible unless everything else around it is refreshed too.

FAQs About Paint Color Matching

How do I match paint color without a sample?

Try using a paint color match app or take a clear, well-lit photo of the wall. Then compare it to fan decks in-store. Still, without a physical sample, accuracy may vary.

Can a hardware store match my paint color?

Yes, most stores like Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore can scan a paint chip or sample using a spectrophotometer. Some big-box stores can do it too, but results may vary.

Is matching old paint worth it?

That depends. If the color is still fresh and you only need a small touch-up, yes. But if the walls are faded or stained, repainting the whole wall or room may look cleaner and more consistent.

What’s the best paint color match app?

Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams both have highly rated apps. Just remember to take photos in daylight and without shadows.

Paint Color Matching for Omaha Homes

Matching paint color sounds simple, until you try it. From fading walls to lost labels, Omaha homeowners face all kinds of little hiccups when they’re just trying to keep their homes looking fresh and consistent.

This article has walked you through everything you need to know to color-match paint successfully, whether you’re taking the DIY route or planning to hire a local painter. We talked about how to use a paint color match app, what to bring to the store, and when it’s best to repaint instead of patch. You now have clear steps to follow and realistic expectations about what’s possible.

At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in Omaha color-match paint. If you’re ready to repaint or just want expert eyes on your space, we’re happy to help guide your next step.

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Need Help Choosing the Right Color? Download our free Color and Design Guide. It includes 7 practical tips to help you choose the perfect paint color for your home, whether you’re repainting one room or refreshing your entire space.