Is there any way to tone down paint?

Question

After painting and giving it some time to "grow" on me, well it hasn't! I really like the color BUT it is too vivid. Is there a product that I can use to paint over it to tone it down or something I can put in the paint itself to get the same result? Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, there are a couple of things you can do. The first person mentioned sponging over your vivid color, and that is an option. Tho I believe you would get more satisfactory results from "sponging off", rather than "sponging on" [see more below].

"Glazing Liquid" [may come by different name from different companies] is a product used for Decorative Painting/Faux Finishing: It comes in oil or water-based, is used in a number of ways to create faux finishes, one can tint it.

You can use Glazing Liquid by itself, over a base coat - to dull, or tone down your vivid color. Most quality brands specify that their product can be used as a topcoat [but read the label to be sure]. You might try this application first, and see if it tones down your color enuf to suit you.

[I wish you had said what color you're working with, but]
To mix a colored glaze, you simply add a small amount of paint to the glaze. Again, the manufacturer will recommend approximate proportions; and may also call for addition of paint thinner or water [depending, of course, on whether you're using latex or oil paint]. Your Glaze, then, can either be used as a topcoat [above], or to "Sponge On" or "Sponge Off".

You will get different effects depending on whether your glaze is a lighter or darker hue than your existing base coat; [and, of course, different results if your Glaze is an entirely different color]. And different effects depending on what you use - sponge, chamois, cheesecloth, etc.

I suggest mixing your Glaze out of your existing base coat color: mix either a small amount of black oR white paint, with your existing color and with the Glazing Liquid. This will insure that you stay in the same color range, for safety's sake. Toning up [white] or toning down [black], will still result in toning down your existing color.

"Sponging/Ragging On": Use Sea Sponge [NoT a household one].
This might be considered easier than Sponging Off, but I think you'll get better results from the "off" method. For this "on" application, you simply apply your mixed Glaze - with a sea sponge, or rag [genuine chamois best] - over your base coat, in a random/overall/overlapping method.

"Sponging/Ragging Off": You apply the Glaze to the wall to a small section of wall at a time [keep a wet edge]. Then you take your sponge or chamois and remove Glaze in a random/overall/overlapping method. I "roll" the chamois from the bottom of the wall to the top; then start again at the bottom, overlapping the first roll.

This may sound complicated if one hasn't done it before, but it's really very easy - and quite FuN! A world of possibilities. The mistake I see most often, is being able to see the actual "on"/"off" delienations: not good. So I stress the random/overall/overlapping significance: I describe it as, uniform un-uniformity. [Step back away from your work every now and again, and look at it from a distance.]

Good Luck ~ YoU can do it!

Answer 2

hate to say it but you are better off choosing a color you like better and re painting, it is the best solution unless you really know what you are doing or really adventureous, the best way to ton down a paint once applied is with a glaze , without seeing the area i cannot say what type or color of glaze you would need. the glaze is applied with a wallpaper brush very lightly. So as you can see it is just easier to re paint....painting contractor

Answer 3

You can do a faux paint technique with a darker or lighter color to neutralize. Try using the marbel technique. Call your local Sherwin Williams. They are the paint experts and can tell you over the phone what needs to be done.

Answer 4

Tone Down Color

Answer 5

You can change the effects of wall paint by using different lighting. If you have track lighting it will change wall effects. Even a bulb change in a floor or table lamp changes the effect of paint on walls. There are different bulbs, Sodium light is common bulb. Then there is "natural daylight" plus numerous others. I think Lowes has a large selection.

Answer 6

Sometimes, just sponging a beige or neutral color on top of it will give you the desired results and still let you have the color you like. Good luck.