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Hi
I've bought Valspar Trade Walls and Ceilings Tough Matt paint, tinted with Blueberry Ice from B&Q and after painting the corners and edges in the room the colour looks much darker than on the paper sample.
So I'm thinking of mixing it with a white paint to dilute the colour. I could just get another can of the same paint in white from B&Q for mixing. But it's an expensive one (£42 for 2.5l) and I already have more than I need (needed about 3l so had to get 5l can for £60). So I'm thinking of mixing it with white Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt, which I have some spare.
My question is, can I actually do it without ruining all the paint? They are both matt, water based emulsions, so I assume it should be fine, but would like to hear a professional opinion. I understand that the original Valspar paint attributes (toughness etc.) might be slightly compromised, but I don't mind too much.

Any help or opinion would be greatly appretiated.
Thanks

Could you not try a small amount and see?

In the mean time, what paint is not heavy and blue?



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Light blue paint

It’s understandable that you’re looking to adjust the colour without spending more on additional paint. Since both the Valspar Trade Walls and Ceilings Tough Matt and the Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt are water-based emulsions, they should technically be compatible for mixing. However, there are a few important considerations before you go ahead:

Colour Outcome: When mixing two different brands, especially with a pre-tinted colour like "Blueberry Ice," the result may be unpredictable. The Dulux white might dilute the colour, but it could also alter the tone in unexpected ways. You might end up with a slightly different hue than anticipated.

Consistency and Finish: While both are matt emulsions, they might have slightly different formulations. The Valspar Tough Matt paint is known for its durability and washability, so mixing it with Dulux’s Vinyl Matt could reduce the toughness and the finish quality of the Valspar product. If durability isn’t your priority, this may not be a big concern for you.

Test First: Before committing to mixing large amounts, try a small test patch. Mix a small portion of both paints and apply it to a small section of the wall. This will give you a better idea of the colour result and how the paint behaves after drying.

Alternative Solutions: If the test results aren’t satisfactory, another option could be to apply additional coats of the current paint. Paints often dry darker than they appear when wet, and further coats can sometimes even out colour inconsistencies, especially in corners or edges where it may look darker due to lighting.

In summary, while mixing the two paints is likely possible, there is a risk of unexpected changes in both colour and finish quality. Testing a small batch is the safest way to go.