I just painted a no-window basement room in a mix of Blonde & Ivoire (I mixed from the samples til I got a shade I liked and took it to SW to have it matched)--it's probably about 75-80% of it. It is a lovely color, but for my particular room's use (exercise room), it just seems too dark--BUT, for a family room, I think it'd be great. I might lighten it to Ivoire before I'm all through (just finished the basement).

I've never heard about samples on the walls causing problems later on unless the sample color is very dark and you're going with a light color paint over the top--or something like that. If you prime, I don't see the problem. I used leftover drywall pieces for my samples, but on one wall I have painted samples right on it--on top of primer (haven't covered it with paint yet, though).

Even with a big sample (mine were 2'x4' pieces of drywall), you still don't get a good idea of how it'll look in the room....the walls still end up looking darker.

Good luck--have fun!
Tracey

My family room is dark (two windows at ground level) I painted samples straight on the walls for that room (usually I posterboard samples.) I applied two coats of primer to hide the samples, just to be safe, because many were darker than the final color I chose (SW Jersey Cream) but once all done, you'd never know they were there ;)

Samples applied directly on the wall can indeed telegraph through in the final finsh. Through two coats and a primer. I've seen it one too many times.

Samples on the walls have to be done with care. I've had clients use q-tips, cotton balls, their finger, etc. If you do it neatly and avoid glompy edges and drips, the sample spots usually are not a problem.

I don't really rely on wet samples much any more. Just use big chips/boards. If I do, I paint the sample myself and I knock it back a little with a fine grit sanding pad I keep in my supply box before I'm done with the project.

If a contractor is, or will be, involved it's a good idea to mention you need to do wet samples. I work with a few painters who prefer to personally apply the samples for the client -- which is fine with me. They choose to do that because wet samples on the walls can indeed create headaches down the road if not handled properly.

Sample with care.

I paint almost everyday and have seen many samples painted on the walls. Yes, there those who may do things and leave the samples maybe even dripping down the wall.

"There is nothing wrong with doing a sample on the wall. " Use the same roller sleeve you would use to paint the wall.

Now, if someone were to get messy, sloppy, or whatever you want to call it and leave ridges , etc. ; then take a scotch 3m sanding pad, (the ones that you can bend and are flexible) sand away the ridge build up , dust, prime as you inidcated.

People get bent out of shape over painting samples on the walls. Done the correct way-- one should not have any problems; and yes, there are the execeptions to someone not knowing what they are doing- but no big deal.

I made the mistake of painting samples on the walls of our entry way in our new house. I was very careful to paint it smoothly and I sanded it thoroughly before priming the area. After two coats of primer and two coats of paint (SW Ivoire by the way which is beautiful and I love the color) I could still see the areas where I painted the samples. My walls are very smooth and apparently the painted samples caused just enought variance in texture to be noticeable. So to make a long story short I had our drywaller skim coat the wall while he was there to do some other repairs. He didn't charge me anything for it and now it is the nicest wall in the house. In hindsight I wish we would have stuck to painting on a small piece of drywall or in a closet where it would have been less noticeable.

Yep, even when great care is taken, discriminating eyes can see the outlines of samples telegraphing through. Painting small swaths on the wall is easily avoided -- so many other effective options for previewing color. Many times the existing wall color impedes accurate evaluation of a color sample any way.

If a small preview of color will suffice, then the large chips/sample boards are more effective and a better way to go about it.

For a large preview, the SW Color To Go jugs are generous and I prefer to have the painter/DIYer cut and roll out an entire small wall just as if they were painting for "real".

A patchwork, no mater how neatly done, of colors all over a single wall doesn't accomplish or provide an accurate preview IMO any way.

Either get what you need from over-sized chips/sample boards or go big and do a whole wall properly.