Paint Query

[malagabob]

OH wanted to change colour of our front room walls. They’re a creamy colour at the moment. She fancied a very light silver grey. Have bought now after many trips to B&Q and other places 4 cans of emulsion, testers, even had a tester made up via one of those scanning machines. All attempts are coming back more of a light blue when doing patches on the walls. Even asked other members of the family, What colour does that look like. Blue. Apart from the expense it’s doing my head in. Even thought it’s an optical illusion. Any advice apart from give up. Lol.

[Mamyalynne]

I wouldn't normally point you elsewhere Bob, but until the DIY and paint experts arrive - have a read of this thread.

https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/3237444-I-need-a-grey-paint-thats-not-blue

It can be so hard to get just the right shade.

[rowanwitch]

Choose a grey with a lilac undertone tone, rather than a cooler one. It should give the cool tone without the blueing.

[malagabob]

Thanks Mamy. Some of those look promising.
Thanks Rowan Were getting a lilac undertone without choosing one lol.

[rowanwitch]

Ok lilac not blue. Try a slightly yellow grey, or even a peach toned one.

[woofgang]

I feel your pain. It took me six months of intensive searching to find a grey grey. What I did was bought around 30 testers and painted a4 sheets of white card. I tested those in a good light and eliminated any that weren't grey. Then I put the rest on the wall with blu tack in good light in the room where they were intended for and checked them under natural and artificial light at varying times of day...then I did the same in a shady corner of the same room. I finally found this one which I am still pleased with.....but its very personal and I did find that the paint picked up reflected colour from its surroundings. https://www.dulux.co.uk/en/colour-details/frosted-steel

[TonyV]

I would second woofgangs recommendation, and have a look at their colour palette, the colours are pretty representative. You may also get better colour representation if you first paint your wall with a white Matt emulsion.

[Stephen_G]

The Spectrophotometers (Scanning machines, to give them their proper name) in B & Q are not bombproof - they can be a nightmare to calibrate properly... I should know!

With the Valspar range, there are a few that can look Blue/Grey and a few that can look Green/Grey. Summer Grey R206E

https://www.valsparpaint.co.uk/colours/pre-selected-colours/greys/

is one of the most popular shades. If you ask your friendly Paint Pro to give you a piece of White paper, it can help to put the colour cards onto the white background.

The Dulux colour Frosted Steel only comes in the Easy Care Bathroom or Kitchen ranges - the Bathroom is a Soft Sheen finish, and the Kitchen is a Matt, so you could use the Kitchen emulsion without a problem. No-one would have to know.

[woodchopper]

Try A Crown Paint colour - Spotlight - an off light grey with a hint of lilac in it. I done our living room in it - wife was doubtful about before but loves it now.