You'd be surprised. In the hands of an experienced paint person, you can get a great match. I wanted some inexpensive paint samples, so I took my BM paint chips to Sherwin Williams. He didn't have the formulas in the system already (sometimes they do), so he scanned them. He dabbed the paint on the chips and the color was so exact, I really had to turn the card to find the dab of paint.

I'd have more faith in a BM guy matching a Lowes color than a Lowes guy matching a BM color.

Take your chip in and see what they can do. You don't have to buy if you don't like the match. Beware though, once you pay for it and leave the store, most stores say they won't return mixed paint, at least in my area they won't.

Kathe

I have a comment and a question.

First, yes, I think that the BM computer can probably get your color matched. Plus, here's the deal...you aren't trying to match a Valspar color that's already on your wall where you need to touch up a spot. You don't even know for sure what that Valspar color is going to look like on your wall. And all paint companies use specific formulas to make their paint. I'm assuming that that's why you want it made in BM paint? Because there's something about the way the Valspar paint goes on or smells or looks that you don't like? So if you were color matching Seine in BM paint, in SW paint, in Walmart paint, and in Pratt Lambert paint, there would be minute subtletys between the various formulas.

And that leads to my question...Why not have your chosen colors mixed up in the Valspar paint? It's great paint, I use it all the time. In fact, I frequently do it just the opposite of your way.......I pick a Benjamin Moore color and have it matched in Valspar American Traditions!

Red

kathe & Red, thanks for the responses.

I guess I forgot to mention that when I called BM, they said that they have all the codes in their system, so it's not a problem. I have a really good feeling how it will look on my wall--I bought paint samples from Lowe's and painted several poster boards. It's the craziest thing--the tile I have picked out for my backsplash is a handpainted tile, with 2 shades of taupe in it--and 2 of these colors match them exactly. This is why I know this is going to be perfect!

The reason I'm going with BM paint is this is what I have trusted for great results. The room is about 42' x 14'. In the past I have used Lowe's paint for smaller projects and have been pleased. I never felt it was a risk if I only needed one gallon. I could use the Valspar paint, but the price of the Valspar is the same as the price of the BM paint (using my friend's discount--he's a painter).

I was all ready to go with the Valspar on Saturday. But I hopped on the painting forum and there were as many unhappy people with this paint as their were happy ones. So, I decided to just play it safe.

All of my downstairs is done in BM paint using Lowes Olympic paint colors. They have it in their system and did a perfect job matching. I used BM Matte. c

I wouldn't consider myself a paint snob, I've used just about every major paint on the market, Behr, Valspar, Martha Stewart Everday (Kmart), Restoration Hardware, Glidden, Olympic, Kilz Casual Colors, Dutch Boy, Easy Living (Sears) and a few upper ends like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and Pratt and Lambert.

I'm just not a fan of Valspar. I've never had a problem with coverage. It goes on great. My problem is that their Valspar premium eggshell doesn't hold up to the wear and tear of MY family. I've got 3 kids aged 8 and lower and 2 beagles and DH.

I used Valspar in nearly every room in my last house. Lowes was the closest. We lived there for a year and I touched up when we moved, after that we ended up renting out to a single woman. She wasn't hard on the house by any means, but I still had to repaint nearly every room when she moved out after a year and we were selling.

In my current entry hall and stairway wall, everyday scuffs and crayon hieroglyphics just don't wash off. When I have touched up, the sheen appears different, so it is obvious where the touch ups have been done. Yes, I used the correct paint. I'm anal about labeling. I painted in July '08, so it's been 14 months and it looks like it's been 10 years.

In Valspar's defense, I've got it in my boys' rooms and it seems ok there, but then, they mostly just sleep there.

I painted our downstairs powder room in BM Natura and that paint has really held up. I frequently wipe it down and to be honest, I just use the vinegar windex or antibacterial wipes out of sheer laziness, but everything wipes right up. No color change, no burnishing, no rubbing color off the walls. I haven't even had to touch up yet. That's that bathroom that they wash off their various art projects, mud and you-don't-really-want-to-know-how-that-got-there with 2 boys in the house.

So I guess Valspar is just fine if it's a lightly used room. I've had 4 houses in the past 12 years. I painted each one myself, every room, at least once, and usually more for a color change or to tone it down for resale. I'm at the point in my life where I need the paint to perform where I'm not repainting every year due to excessive wear. I haven't even finished painting my current house and I'm dreading the idea of NEEDING to paint again versus WANTING to paint. It seems that paying more upfront and not needing to repaint is actually the cheaper way to go.

I think Fine Paints of Europe's motto is something like, "There's nothing more expensive than cheap paint."

If someone is looking for an affordable, durable paint, I hear that Ace's paint with scotchgard is a great value. Low price with great washability. I can't honestly remember what it's called, maybe Sensations? Check out the paint board, they know. I'm considering this for my family room and kitchen/nook.

Kathe

Do not trust the "computer formulas" please! They will usually give you a match, more or less. But what counts is the eyeball factor, the human touch. I prefer to have a chip scanned by the machine and then tweaked by a good paint mixer who knows how to shift a color to just where it should be.

A sample should be dabbed on the original card and then hit with a blow-dryer to see how it dries down. Even then, just get a gallon and see how it looks on the walls. Once you get as many gallons as you need, BOX them. To box means taking all the gallons and mixing them into a larger pail so that there is no variation.

I just recently had ACE, who carries BM in our small town, match a Behr color and it matched perfectly. Just finished painting our open area with it and very pleased.

I need to know it it will fill in small cracks and is durable?