Asked on Jun 11, 2017

Can food coloring be added to white paint to change the color?

Hazel Carestia
by Hazel Carestia
  8 answers
  • Bobbie M Bobbie M on Jun 11, 2017

    No, only dyes. You can buy almost any color of paint at paint store or Home Depot, Lowes, because they mix different color dyes and paint, not food coloring, to the original base color.

  • William William on Jun 11, 2017

    Bobbie is correct. I mix a lot of my own paint colors. Can't stand to let anything go to waste. I use plastic cups to mix small amounts of paint till I get what I'm looking for. I also like buying oops paint. I also do the same with stain. Many color charts online for color mixing.

    • See 1 previous
    • Amira Amira on Feb 17, 2023

      Helen - no dyes.


      Instead of dyeing paint, William is talking about mixing his own colors from *already dyed paint.

      ⭐Need Green?⭐

      mix:

      blue paint

      +

      yellow paint


      "I like to buy oops paint"

      - William's talking about how paint stores, big box hardware and mom & pops all usually have marked down 'dyed paint returns' (mismatches, dye mistakes, etc)


      The more leftovers and oops you save & collect, the more new colors you can possibly mix.


      As William explains, you can find the color palettes from the store - on the internet (If you aren't making your own up as you go but instead you need the formula for how many parts of each color to mix together when you need a specific shade)


      Paint can keep for yeeeears. If it's in a metal can and been opened, it will likely start rusting into the paint. So instead of leaving in the original metal cans, store leftovers in glass jars. Paint can be kept for a long time stored in a *dark and cool place (no sunlight exposure!)

  • Lavonne Lavonne on Jun 11, 2017

    OK - if you are doing a craft project that isn't going to last forever - then go ahead! the color will fade and you will find that you need a lot of it but for crafting it doesn't matter. If this is an important job like painting a room, then follow the instructions above. They are very wise.

  • Sharon Sharon on May 31, 2018

    Can you Tent paint With food coloring

  • Shawna Bobo Shawna Bobo on May 19, 2020

    How do you mix dye into white paint? Do you just take a little and add the powdered dye to it and stir or what do you do?

  • Emma Emma on Sep 09, 2022

    Can you add the liquid dye to white paint?

  • Mogie Mogie on Sep 09, 2022

    Yes BUT you have to stir often (every minute of two) since the food coloring doesn't mix like regular dye does in the paint.

    You can buy dye from most big box stores and mix your own at home.

  • Emma Emma on Sep 09, 2022

    Thanks so much Mogie🐶