If you‘re planning to refresh your home with a new coat of paint, Walmart is a convenient and affordable place to buy everything you need for the job. But what if you want a specific color that‘s not available in Walmart‘s pre-mixed paint options? You may be wondering: does Walmart mix paint?
The short answer is: yes, most Walmart stores with a paint department will mix custom paint colors for you! In this post, I‘ll share everything you need to know about Walmart‘s paint mixing services so you can get the perfect shade for your project.
Walmart‘s Paint Department: An Overview
Did you know that Walmart is actually the largest seller of paint in the United States? According to a 2019 press release, Walmart sells over 50 million gallons of paint each year.
Most Walmart Supercenters have a dedicated paint department, typically located in the home improvement section of the store near tools and hardware. Here you‘ll find a wide selection of interior and exterior paint in various sheens like flat, satin, semi-gloss and gloss.
Walmart sells paint from many major brands, including:
- Glidden
- Behr
- KILZ
- Rust-Oleum
- Valspar
- Zinsser
They also have their own in-house paint brand called Color Place, which is actually manufactured by Sherwin-Williams. Color Place paints are designed to be a quality budget-friendly option, with interior paint starting at just $13 per gallon.
In addition to paint, the department carries just about every painting supply you could need, such as:
- Brushes and rollers
- Paint trays and liners
- Drop cloths and tarps
- Painter‘s tape
- Degreasers and solvents
So it‘s truly a one-stop shop for all your painting projects. But what if you need a specific color that‘s not available on the shelf?
Walmart‘s Paint Mixing Services
Here‘s the key information you need to know about getting paint mixed at Walmart:
Paint Mixing Cost
There is no additional cost for Walmart‘s paint mixing services – you just pay the regular price for the base paint. For Color Place interior paint, that starts at $13/gallon. Higher-end and specialty paints from other brands may cost $30/gallon or more.
Paint Brands
Walmart can mix any paint brand that they sell in-store into a custom color. The most popular brands for paint mixing are Color Place, Glidden, and Behr.
Types of Paint
Walmart will mix both interior and exterior paint, in any sheen (flat, satin, semi-gloss, etc.). However, they cannot mix different paint bases or sheens together. It needs to be all the same type and base.
Mixing Process
To get your paint mixed, bring your chosen color sample to the paint department counter. An associate will help you select the correct base paint type and sheen, then they‘ll add the appropriate colorants using a computer-controlled mixing machine.
On average, the paint mixing process takes 5-10 minutes. However, this can vary based on how busy the department is and whether there is a designated paint counter associate working at that time.
If your local Walmart is open 24 hours, you can get paint mixed at any time of day or night. For other stores, paint mixing is available during the paint department‘s normal business hours which are typically the same as the store hours.
Paint Color Matching at Walmart
What if you need to match a specific color, like from an existing wall in your home? Walmart offers color matching services using a spectrophotometer. This is a device that can scan any color sample and determine its exact make-up.
To get a color matched, bring in a sample of the color you want, such as a paint chip, a piece of fabric, or even a cabinet door. A paint associate will scan it with the spectrophotometer and use that data to mix your paint to match.
Color matching is free, but there may be a small sample size charge (around $3-$5) if you need to test the matched paint color before purchasing a larger quantity. It‘s always a good idea to test a color first to see how it looks in your space.
Online Paint Resources from Walmart
In addition to the in-store paint department, Walmart.com has a number of helpful digital tools for choosing paint colors and envisioning how they‘ll look in your space:
Walmart Paint Visualizer
Upload a photo of your room and "try on" different paint shades to see how they‘ll look! You can choose from Walmart‘s entire selection of paint colors. This is a great way to narrow down your options before going to the store.
Walmart Paint Color Studio
Browse curated interior and exterior color palettes to get inspiration for your painting projects. You can filter by style (modern, traditional, etc.), room type (kitchen, bedroom, etc.), and color family.
Walmart Paint Buying Guide
Get expert tips on choosing the right type of paint, determining how much you need, and properly prepping your space before painting. This guide has advice for both interior and exterior projects.
How Does Walmart Compare to Other Paint Retailers?
If you‘re considering buying paint at Walmart, you may be wondering how they stack up against other major paint retailers like The Home Depot, Lowe‘s, and Menards. Here‘s a quick comparison:
Paint Selection
Walmart has a wide variety of paint from major brands, but the selection is not quite as extensive as what you‘ll find at a dedicated home improvement store. Walmart stocks around 2,000 different paint colors, while The Home Depot has over 8,000.
Price
Walmart‘s paint prices are very competitive, especially for their in-house Color Place brand which starts at $13/gallon. The budget-friendly paints at other retailers, like Glidden Essentials at The Home Depot, cost at least a few dollars more per gallon.
Mixing Services
The paint mixing services at Walmart are very comparable to other retailers, with free color matching and custom color creation. All of these stores use similar color matching technology and computerized paint mixers.
Staff Expertise
In general, the paint department staff at a store like The Home Depot or Sherwin-Williams will have more specialized knowledge and training than Walmart associates. Walmart paint staff are not required to be painting experts, so you may get more guidance at a dedicated paint store.
Walmart Paint Reviews: Here‘s What Customers Are Saying
Curious about the quality of Walmart paint? Here‘s a sampling of real customer reviews from the Walmart website:
"I bought the Color Place interior semi-gloss to repaint my bathroom. The coverage was impressive! I only needed one coat over the old oil-based paint. And it dried very quickly to a durable finish. I‘d definitely recommend this paint for the price." – Sarah H.
"We used the Glidden Premium exterior paint from Walmart to repaint our shed. It went on smoothly and covered the old peeling paint very well. We did use a coat of primer first. The color was a perfect match to our trim. We‘ll see how it holds up, but so far so good!" – Rick T.
"I had Walmart‘s paint department color match a fabric swatch for my kitchen remodel. The color is spot on! I‘m very happy with how it turned out. The staff was so helpful and even recommended the best sheen to use for the cabinets." – Lauren M.
Of course, every painting project is unique, and results can vary based on surface prep, application methods, and other factors. But overall, Walmart paint gets solid reviews for quality and value.
Tips for Buying Paint at Walmart
To help your painting project go as smoothly as possible, here are a few tips for buying paint at Walmart:
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Determine the right type of paint for your project (interior/exterior, sheen level, etc.) before going to the store. Consult Walmart‘s online paint buying guide if you need help.
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Calculate how much paint you need using an online paint calculator tool. Overestimate by about 10% to account for touch-ups and waste.
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If you need a specific color match, bring a good sized sample with you (at least 1 inch square). A larger sample is easier to scan.
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Be prepared to wait at least 10 minutes for paint mixing. Go to the store when you have time to browse the samples and wait for your paint to be shaken.
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Always check the paint color before leaving the store. Compare it to your sample under good lighting to make sure it‘s what you expected.
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Ask the paint department staff for recommendations on the best brushes, rollers, and painting tools for your specific project. They can guide you to the right supplies.
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Keep your paint receipt and record the exact color name/code in case you need to buy more for touch-ups later. You may even want to write the information on the paint can label for easy reference.
What If Your Local Walmart Doesn‘t Mix Paint?
While the vast majority of Walmart Supercenters have paint mixing services, there are some stores that don‘t. This is most common in smaller Walmart Neighborhood Markets that don‘t have a full paint department.
If you‘ve checked with your local Walmart and confirmed they are unable to mix paint for you, here are some other options:
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Use Walmart‘s pre-mixed Color Place paint. There are dozens of popular colors to choose from, so you may find one that works for your project.
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Purchase the base paint at Walmart and take it to another store like The Home Depot or Sherwin-Williams to have it shaken in your desired color. There may be a small fee, but it‘s a good workaround.
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Buy a color mixing kit and mix your own paint at home. Walmart sells kits that let you turn any flat base paint into a custom color. This takes a bit of trial and error but can be a DIY solution in a pinch.
Final Thoughts
So in conclusion, the answer is yes – Walmart does mix paint! You can get just about any color you need with their free color matching and custom color services. And with a wide selection of paint brands and supplies at competitive prices, Walmart is a great place to shop for all your painting needs.
I hope this guide has been helpful as you plan your next painting project. Remember to take your time choosing a color, prep your surfaces properly, and don‘t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Happy painting!
