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Design Dilemma
starterhouse

Converting Paint Colors

13 years ago
I selected BM colors with my designer. Contractor want to use Pittsburgh paints - how do I convert the BM colors to the Pittsburgh ones?
Featured Answer
  • PRO
    13 years ago
    As a color consultant and owner of a Benjamin Moore paint store, I have to give my two cents. I hear from a client everyday, that is unhappy w/the outcome when one of our colors are matched. Went to an exterior consult the other day, that HC-77 Alexandria Beige was specified for, it was color matched and the house had a PURPLE undertone, not a good look.
    There are several price points in our line, ask for ULTRA-SPEC, it is a newer contractor line, that will compete w/any other company's top line, and at a great price point $25.00-$28./gl.
    If you've anguished over choosing the color, don't let a couple of dollars per gallon cause you to risk it. The paint may look correct when a dab is put on the chip, but when rolled out it is invariably wrong. Contractors for some reason, give the client an inflated price of $1000.00 or more to force them to buy Ben Moore, when it is really 100.00-200.00 in additional material cost. They are weighing the fact that it could affect their rebate/kickback from an SW or PPG, so they make it sound like much more than it is to convince the homeowner to just allow converting.

    Comments (21)

    • PRO
      13 years ago
      You don't. Tell him you are using BM paint....period! :)
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Benjamin Moore is a good quality paint that I usually specify for my clients. Contractors generally like to stick by their old standbys, which is probably why you're getting some push back from him. Moreover, BM is often more expensive, and if he quoted the job using Pittsburgh, then you may end up paying more for BM. If price isn't an issue, I'd go with Benjamin Moore, but if you're price-conscious, it's easy to match paints. Just have your contractor take a BM sample card to Pittsburgh and they can match it to that.

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    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Usually paint stores can colour match if they have the paint swatch or even the colour code. However no matter what paint you go with, check the paint before the contractor starts to paint. I had a client I specified BM paint for, he painted the entire room and it was big with lofted ceilings. I went by the home to see the progress and was shocked to discover the BM dealer had supplied the wrong base colour! The poor husband didn't know better. Check the paint in the opened can against the colour of the specified sample as mistakes do happen!
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Great advice Susan.
    • 13 years ago
      Thanks for all the advice! Budget is an issue so I think we are going to stick with the Pittsburgh - I will bring the BM colors to the PP store to match.
    • 13 years ago
      Just spoke to the contractor - he said he would be willing to use Sherwin Williams if I prefer that over Pittsburgh Paints.
      Which do I go with - is there a difference in quality between the 2?
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      SW is better quality than Pittsburgh.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Yes, SW is better quality than Pittsburgh, but my contractor recently told me he had to apply many coats to get an even finish for a dark coral color I had specified. He likes Benjamin Moore better than SW for that reason. So you might want to make sure your conractor has worked with SW before. If so, then that sounds like a great option!
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Hi starterhouse, marie here. I apologize but this particular point really gets me going.

      Paint quality is all about perception of the user. They are a lot of high quality paints out there, and you need to know your finishes and variances of quality. Because there are builder basic paints in every brand name - make sure you are getting quality paint.

      Paint conversions:
      It all depends upon the person mixing the paint at the store and how competent or incompetent they are at colour matching - and more importantly - when was the last time they calibrated their paint machines!

      Preferably, as a designer, if I specify BM, or SICO or whomever - I expect them to USE that brand, and they need to adjust their estimate accordingly. If I were you, I would definitely tell them you prefer they use Benjamin Moore, and adjust their estimate accordingly.

      Here is a website I use often when comparing colours and tones - don't let your contractor bully you into using an inferior product because they make a higher mark-up on that product.
      Remember its your house, use what you want in your home for your walls.

      Good Luck!
      http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Shop--Explore-Color/1.htm
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Ill follow right after you Susanna, I do agree BM is a quality paint. It would not be too difficult for the contractor to open an account with the local BM dealer though. In this case as budget is a consideration, I would get the contractor to state how many coats he is going to do and if he guarantees coverage and how long the paint will stand up. I think 7 years is the norm. Is he priming? What is the state of your walls now? Wall prep is very important to have the finished paint look its best.
    • 13 years ago
      I appreciate all the feedback. For starts, I bought a home in foreclosure and am doing a lot if work in the house not just painting - I don't have the option of hiring a different painter - the contractors foreman does the painting himself. I started a different thread regarding colors but I will post here as well. Attached are pictures of the bedrooms, as far as the other areas of the house, the walls are in pretty good condition and painting over them should not be a big deal.

      Kitchen gutted gown to the studs so that will be paint on fresh sheet rock.

      Maybe some of you can help me - let's assume u go with SW - any paint suggestions for the bedrooms in cream and beige tones. Want something neutral and warm. I have multiple sets of linen and rotate them - bed skirts always stay the same and are ivory.

      Do I paint the arches above the windows a different color then walls - lighter or darker? What's the trend for painting ceilings these days?
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      I would paint the same colour as the walls. I used to love SW for beach houses, will take a look.
    • 13 years ago
      Paint the ceilings or the arches above the windows the same color as the walls?
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Sorry to not be clear, yes the arches. The ceilings can be lighter, once we get some colour advice for you, we can determine the ceilings.
    • 13 years ago
      Brand makes a huge difference because it isn't just about the color but also the surface of the paint, and the depth of the pigment, and how it reacts to light. That being said I just discovered that the paint I drove 180 miles to buy so I could get the same brand is not the same color as what I had put on the walls a couple of years ago. Yes, we checked formula, etc. It is either calibration of machine or changes in formulation of the paint. I'm disappointed but I can live with it. Painter comes Monday and I fought for this paint over his preferred brand.
    • 13 years ago
      Based on all of your advice - Whatever brand I choose to go with (probably SW), I will go in and pick the closest matching color, I am not going to mix paints to try to match.

      That being said, looking at the pictures I posted above, anyone have color recommendations? Want something warm and neutral (the beige family?)
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Based on the information you have given us I don't believe it would serve you well to make recommendations on paint color. If you are not going to mix paints to match, then I would assume you would be happy with something close? When a paint color is chosen it is very specific for a variety of reasons. Close does not count for the professionals who would make recommendations. It is very specific for every interior, every situation and every client.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Ceilings are painted the wall colour to make the ceilings feel taller - in your flip it would be a good thing, but you need to use a flat base paint for ceilings - which means your walls will be a flat finish.

      Picking colours based on bad photos is never a good idea - you need an inspiration point to help with your paint colours - and I hate beige - beige means you gave up and want to just put in something neutral, and non-colour. Go with a soft earthy green, or a tint of white rather than beige - compliment the hardwood floor tones - green undertones always bring out the natural beauty in woods.

      good luck with your project.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Its called "keeping the spec"..but sometimes budgets require using a different paint brand. The color matcher makes a difference. In my work we take C2 colors and match to P&L cellutone...and Farrow & Ball to Finer Paints of Europe.
      here is an interview with a long time color matcher we use at our Ben Moore dealer
      http://www.wonderfulcolors.org/blog/color-matching-at-benjamin-moore/
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      There is a web site that matches colors in different brands. Go to www.colorcharts.org and select Benjamin Moore. Then find your paint color in their groupings and hit the match my paint button. It will tell you the closest colors in other brands. Not all brands will have a match though. If no match in the brand you need, take a sample to the dealer and have them match it on site.
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