But I don't want bright white ceiling and trim.

January 12, 2009 9:36 AM

Can I add dye to Glidden EZ Track Ceiling paint?

I'm painting a variation of white on my trim and ceiling. They are currently a different variation of white. Even with all the lighting in the world, it is difficult to tell what has been covered until long after the paint has been cleaned up and put away. Then, I see the spot forever.

Can I have Glidden EZ Track Ceiling paint dyed? Or would the effect of the disappearing dye and permanent dye create some other color entirely? The person I spoke with at Home Depot couldn't answer the question confidently. The website and googling hasn't turned up.

posted by wg to home & garden (4 comments total)

First: You don't want to dye your paint. You want to start with a good-quality base coat paint. Baer has consistently proven itself to me, but Glidden is also a reputable company. The point is: don't skimp on the price tag. After the base coat dries, top coat however you like.

Second: you don't dye paint, you add tincture. I'm not being a pedant here; just trying to make sure you're using the correct product. There are paint tinctures made for adding to paints (that's exactly how the store mixes the color you want). They can be bought from paint supply stores, though probably not your local DIY/Home Depot/Lowes. Using some other product - artist's paints, cloth dye, whatever - might have unreproduceable results, or fade with time.

I know I'm not offering a quick, one-coat fix, but as you've already pointed out, it's too late for that. Time to get serious.

HTH.
posted by IAmBroom at 10:27 AM on January 12

Why not email Glidden and ask then if it can be tinted? I've had great luck with this product, as my aging eyes find it difficult to tell where I've been and where I'm going. I'm gonna guess and say maybe.
posted by fixedgear at 11:21 AM on January 12

By "add dye to," I intend to mean "having the good folks at Home Depot turn it into the color I have selected."

I'm using Kilz as a primer, and learned the spend-good-time-and-money-on-paint lesson awhile ago.
posted by wg at 11:26 AM on January 12

If you are going to color it anyway, why not just get regular white ceiling paint and have it tinted.
The disappearing pink dye is just a gimmick. If you are using Kilz first, you should be able to see where you have painted already very easily and it will cover very well over the primer. Paint in big rectangles, roll each area twice, and make your way around the room, don't rush.
posted by lee at 11:40 AM on January 12