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So let’s say you need some touch up on a wall and to do that you also need to color-match the paint. What’s the best way to get a paint chip for color-matching without having to patch drywall? Here I’ll show you a couple tricks that you can use that will save you a ton of time and avoid any drywall repair! If you would rather watch the video click here!

Method 1: Recover a paint chip from behind an outlet cover.

What you need:

  • Pencil
  • Screwdriver
  • Razor Knife
  • Over-sized outlet cover

Steps:

  • You’ll want to find a outlet or switch cover on the wall that you’re trying to color match.
  • Turn the power off
  • Remove the outlet cover
  • Place the new over-sized outlet cover in place and make a small mark on the wall.
  • Use your razor knife to cut through the existing layer of paint – This helps ensure that the paint doesn’t peel past the outlet cover.
  • Gently peel off a paint chip
  • Replace the outlet cover with the over-sized version
  • Take the paint chip to get it color-matched!

Method 2: Cut a square and replace it with a blank cover.

What you need:

  • A pencil
  • A tape measure
  • Key-hole saw
  • Phillips and straight screwdriver
  • A “low-voltage outlet bracket or a single-gang low-voltage bracket”
  • A blank wall cover plate

Steps:

  • You’ll want to find an inconspicuous spot on the wall you’re trying to match.
  • Measure up from the floor to the center of an existing nearby outlet.
  • Check to be sure you’re not on a stud. You can knock on the wall and listen for a change is sound or use a magnet to find a screw. Once you can usually measure either 16 or 24 inches from that stud to try and find another and confirm you are between studs.
  • Place the outlet box on the wall backwards
  • Use the marking holes to mark the 4 corners.
  • Mark the rest of the lines with the straight edge of the box
  • Use your drywall saw to cut the drywall.
  • You’ll want to save this cutout for color-matching.
  • Now install the box bracket
  • Tighten the screws and ensure the tabs have grabbed the drywall
  • Install the blank wall plate
  • You’re Done!