Source
r/Frugal•
mach311

If you need to paint something small/medium sized, go to Lowe's and ask for a free paint sample.

Was paint shopping over the weekend and went to Lowe's where i noticed they offer free paint samples. So I picked out a couple colors, the guy mixed them for me and the samples were huge. Probably 8-10 ounces. Which may not sound like a lot, but a good quality paint will go a long way. I painted a whole wall of my kitchen with the sample.

So if you need to paint a small closet, door, bookshelf, table, or other piece of furniture you could easily do it with one of these samples.

Edit: So on Lowe's site it shows samples are $3.48. Maybe the guy at my Lowe's was just being generous, so your mileage may vary, it's probably worth asking. But even at $3.48 the sample may be enough for your small job.

Posted Nov 20, 2017, 6:05 PM UTC · edited

3217
PineCreekCathedral•

Yeah, both Home Depot and Lowes near by charge $3-4. That's still better than buying a gallon or quart if you don't need that much.

Sounds like you got lucky.

22
PlumLion•

Lowe’s does the samples for free as a promotion occasionally - usually over holiday weekends where people are likely to be doing projects, like Veterans Day or July 4th.

5
Picodick•

I often utilize the 3-4$ samples to paint small craft projects. If I need a tiny amount of some wild color it's the cheapest way to go.

6
Unidan_nadinU•

I worked in the paint department at Lowe's for 3 years. Just wanted to add a small detail, that this is a latex interior paint. Wouldn't want to use it for any outdoor projects unless it's something you don't care too much about. If it's outdoor, they should have some of the same size made by Rustoleum for about the same price over by the spray paint.

3
4077•

It was probably a promotion. We had to buy paint samples when we repainted.

Also, you're better off buying the "wrong colors" for a huge discount. It just depends on if you want hot pink or not.

3
twisterjester•

Not always hot pink. Picked up a sweet navy blue to go with our full-price white. My kitchen now has tuxedo cabinets.

2
notevenapro•

Also check your local trash recycling place. Some of them take used paint and give it wway.

2
snarkcommenter•

This post can be summed up as, if you have a small item to paint, buy a smaller amount of paint.

2
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
aherstein•

Why not just take hundreds of those free swatches and tape them to the wall? /s

15
tragiccity•

This guy cheaps

2
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
JustHereForStorytime•

honestly unless its an unusual color then you're better off buying an entire gallon. its more paint per cent and you'll probably have smth else to paint later.

1
mach311OP•

I tend to disagree. If I want to paint a door blue, I don't want 90% of a blue gallon of paint sitting in my garage for the next 20 years. But that's just me.

10
zaffiromite•

I don't want 90% of a blue gallon of paint sitting in my garage for the next 20 years

Or having to pay to dispose of it.

4
JustHereForStorytime•

well if you never plan on using the color blue to paint anything again then i'd say its an unusual color for you that it might be worth it to buy a smaller size.

if lowes did another promotion like they did around a year ago where paint samples were like $1 then it might be worth it

1
mach311OP•

OK, well you keep buying gallons then. Just thought I'd throw it out there as a tip. Also, I got the samples for free, so kinda hard to beat that price per ounce.

6
JustHereForStorytime•

lol its a good tip and its nice that you got a cool employee at your lowe. 0.00 per ounce is truly the best deal lmao

1
KrustyFrank27•

Also, check if they have any mis-tints. They'll probably be gallons, but as they're just a bit off of the official color, they'll be severely marked down.

1