Painting Technique for Painting Dark Colors

Quality Paint

• After deciding what colors of paint you want to use, head to your local paint store to pick them out. When using dark colors, always purchase high quality paint, since it provides better coverage and color retention than lower-priced options. Each brand of paint also has an individual level of sheen quality and a low-quality sheen can cause shiny spots on the walls. Consult with a paint expert before purchasing the paint to make sure the level of sheen quality is as you desire.

Deep Base Tinted Primer

• Dark-colored paint contains a high amount of pigment, which makes it difficult to get proper coverage on a wall. To prevent splotchy coverage, always apply two or more coats of a deep base tinted primer. Typically, the store from which you purchase the paint will mix a primer that contains the same amount of tint as your paint. This personalized primer is essential for avoiding splotches.

Shake and Stir

• Before you apply the paint to the walls, make sure the paint lid is on tight and shake the paint can for several minutes. Open the can and stir the paint from the bottom up for several minutes as well. This step is important, as the pigment of the paint can quickly settle to the bottom of the can in a short amount of time, resulting in splotchy paint coverage. As you paint, continue to stir the paint often in between applications.

Coats

• With darker colors, you'll always need a minimum of two coats of paint for proper color coverage. After applying the first coat, let the paint dry and layer on another application. Always let the paint dry between applications, as the paint won't layer if the previous coat isn't dry. To achieve a nice and even finish, most painters apply up to four coats of a dark-colored paint.