Since humans started painting things, they’ve been asking this question: Does paint dry darker or lighter? It seems like a simple question, but it has many implications for how we paint and decorate our spaces.
In this article, we’ll explore different types of paints we use, their two color combination when they dry, and how much time every paint needs to be dry. Moreover, we will also look at different factors on which the drying process of paint depends and how they ultimately affect the shade of the color.
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Which Paints Dry Darker?
There is debate over whether Does paint dry darker or lighter, but most experts believe all paints will dry darker in direct sunlight. Pigments become more concentrated when exposed to light, which can cause colors to deepen and stay brighter for a long. In addition, light also triggers chemical reactions in the paint that creates new pigments.
However, you should also know that when the concrete paint is applied, its shade will be darker than when it dries. Dry paint will have a different shade from wet paint. If you selected an original sample color swatch, the dried paint should match it. While that is true for most scenarios, there are a few exceptions.
While all paints will dry darker in direct sunlight, a few specific types of paint may dry lighter than others.
Here are three types of common paints and how their color becomes upon drying.
1. Acrylic Paint
Once dry, acrylics tend to become darker. However, the colors are true to the swatch. When wet, acrylic binders become opaque and milky, making the colors appear lighter. But upon drying, the water evaporates, and the color looks darker.
Acrylic paint dries lighter than traditional oil paints, which makes the finished product look more like plastic than paint. Acrylics also have a more consistent level of pigment, meaning they are less likely to streak or flake when wet.
2. Latex Paint
Latex paint will dry darker, but the final look of the color will always be that of the paint swatch. Typically, latex paint is used to paint rooms’ walls, doors, and trim. Because of this, latex paint comes in more giant cans than acrylic paint.
3. Oil Paint
As with acrylics and latex paints, oil paint also appears darker after drying but not much. However, if the paint contains a lot of polyunsaturated oils, it will dry lighter than if it contains more saturated oils. This is because polyunsaturated oils are less dense than saturated oils so they can spread more easily through a medium like paint.
Oil paints are widely used by painters to paint on canvases. Oil paints take too long to dry, which is either a disadvantage or a benefit.
Why Did My Paint Dry Lighter?
If your paint did not match the swatch after drying and looking lighter, there could be four reasons behind it.
Paint needs to be mixed properly – this is a common painting mistake when painting walls or ceilings. A paint’s color is created by combining several different colors and ingredients, which separate as the paint sits without being shaken. Before you start painting, remember to stir it vigorously to achieve your desired color of the swatch.
The other reason is that the color will be affected by the lighting in the home. If the light in a room is green, blue, or purple, your paint color will appear lighter than it would if the lights were red. This is because white light is a mix of all colors, and when light hits a substance, it reflects whatever colors are in the light. The closer the colors are to each other, the more they will reflect.
The third possibility is a porous surface. Porous materials absorb the liquid and thus remove the color’s actual appearance or shade. This issue can be solved by applying primer before painting or applying several coats.
Comparing New Paint vs Old Paint
- The new paint looks fresh and bright; however, the old paint faded over time.
- Bright colors like red, orange, and peach will soon fade due to the presence of iron.
- New paint has a smoother and shinier surface than old paint.
How Does Sheen Affect Paint Color?
The sheen effect means the finish applied to the paint’s surface for the final look. A paint finish is how the manufacturer showcases the paint’s color.
There are mainly two type types of Sheen.
1. Matte
There is no luster or gloss to a matte finish. A poorly mudded wall, such as one with textured surfaces, can be covered with it. Flat or matte paint absorbs more light than glossy paint, hiding contours on walls that gloss paint cannot. A matte paint is better at hiding contours than paint with gloss.
2. Gloss
Gloss paint helps protect pigments from the environment by reflecting a reflective shine as a protective barrier. Paint has an additive that makes it shinier and appears darker.
In humid environments or bright areas, flat paint does not work, whereas gloss paint is brighter and does not appear “darker.”
How to Avoid Darker or Lighter Paint Than Expected?
Here are some tips to does paint dry darker or lighter paint than expected.
- Preparation is key when painting a room. Make sure all surfaces are clean and well-maintained before beginning.
- Test the paint beforehand to make sure it is the desired shade. If the color is too light or too dark, there will be a noticeable difference when the paint is applied.
- Apply two coats of paint, letting each coat dry thoroughly between applications. This will help reduce the likelihood of lighter or darker than expected paint.
How Long Does Paint Take to Dry?
Depending on its type and formulation, paint can take different amounts of time to dry. Acrylic paint dries much faster than oil or water-based paints, typically taking about an hour to dry completely. Pigments in traditional oil and water-based paints can take several hours to fully dry, which is why they are often used as mediums for painting with multiple layers.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint dries faster than oil paint, usually taking around 20 to 60 minutes to dry. The time for drying also depends upon the surface that how thick or thin the coat is. A thinner coat will dry much faster, and a thick coat will take some time to dry completely.
Latex Paint
Unlike traditional paints, latex paints don’t dry out as quickly. This means they’ll take a little longer to dry, but the result will be a more vibrant color. Latex paints need around 1 to 2 hours to get dry completely. Additionally, latex paints are also resistant to fading and cracking.
Oil Paint
Oil-based paint is named after its most important ingredient, oil! Because of this one ingredient, oil paints sometimes don’t dry after eight hours. However, generally, it takes around eight hours for oil paints to dry, and in some cases, it can take even longer than eight hours to dry completely. More precisely, the drying time will depend on the thickness of the coat and the room condition.
Other Factors
A few other factors can affect how the paint will dry. For instance, if the paint is applied to a porous surface, like wood or paper, the paint may absorb more water and become darker in color. Additionally, if the paint is exposed to direct sunlight or UV rays for an extended period, it may become lighter in color.
Temperature
When the paint is heated, the molecules move faster and can bond more efficiently. This creates a higher energy state, making the paint darker and dry faster. In humid and cold environments, the paint takes more time to dry.
Lighting
Although some say that light doesn’t affect paint drying, it does. Try putting a newly painted canvas in the dark and one in the sunlight to see what happens. A canvas kept in sunlight will dry faster than one kept in darkness. So, you can speed up the drying process by exposing your paint to sunlight.
Interior vs Exterior
The drying speed of paint also depends on whether it is applied on the interior paint surface or exterior. Paints applied to exterior walls usually dry faster if exposed to sunlight and air. However, the paints on the repaint exterior walls usually dry slower during cold and humid seasons.
Surface Material
Another factor that can affect how paint dries is its surface material. Some paints, such as acrylics, watercolor, and oil-based paints, dry more quickly on a smooth surface than on a rougher one. This is because rough surfaces cause the paint to become lumpy and settle faster during dry time.
Porous surfaces will give you a tough time while home painting as they dry to give lighter shade, and due to the porous surface, the paint absorbs into the surface and will take longer to dry internally.
Air Speed
One of the essential factors for drying the paint is the airflow. When the airflow is faster, your paint will dry faster, and vice versa. The airflow will help the water in the paint to evaporate and leave it on the surface. So you can use a fan to make your paint dry faster.
Is It True That Multiple Coats of Exterior Paint Will Make It Darker?
No! It will not make the paint look darker. The color of your paint will always be true to the swatch. However, applying multiple coats for exterior surfaces is always advisable because of environmental hazards.
Can UV Rays Lighten Exterior Paint?
Ultraviolet rays make the paint look faded. Lighter is not exactly to use for this scenario. Despite this, in some cases, paint exposed to sunlight appears brighter because of the intense sunlight.
Conclusion
The color of paint can be affected by many factors, including the type of paint, the climate, and how much light it is exposed to. In general, darker colors will tend to dry darker, while lighter colors will dry lighter. However, this rule has a few exceptions, as I already discussed above.
