Can you mix craft enamel paint and water based furniture enamel?

Michaela
by Michaela

I got free furniture/cabinet paint, Valspar and Sherwin Williams brands, both water based.. I have a white and a gray, but not a blue I would like. I do, however, have some craft paint from Michaels that says it's water based enamel. I'm using this on a desk top so it needs to be very hard. I'm also thinking about putting a coat of polycrylic on top, do I need to be so careful with the paint that I use? I also have some milk paint, is that durable enough for a desk top with a polycrylic top?


  10 answers
  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on May 18, 2021

    Hello. I often mix match paint all the time for decorative and craft uses. You do diminish the specific characteristic of the paint by mixing it with another. The only problem is that it is often difficult to repeat reproduce when you run out that special custom color proportions.


    I do you find that if I layer different paints with different sheens—- a unifying spray clear coat can solve that situational splotchiness.

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on May 18, 2021

    Hi there, as long as they are both water based I think you would be just fine mixing them. However, I would still recommend putting on that sealant coat of polycrylic when you're done painting to protect your work!

  • Dee Dee on May 18, 2021

    Yes you can definitely mix water based paints. I do it all the time with fabulous results. You cannot mix oil based and water paints.

  • Janice Janice on May 18, 2021

    It's perfectly fine to mix water-based paints together. Just be sure you have enough of the mixed color to complete the entire project. Then apply poly for sealing.

  • William William on May 18, 2021

    Yes you can. I actually mix paints to get my own own desired color. Water based with water based. Oil with oil.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on May 18, 2021

    I haven't had any issues mixing paint, as long as they are the same base. Another thought is taking the paint to a SW or Lowe's store and have it tinted.

  • Annie Annie on May 21, 2021

    I wouldnt recommend, But take a small amount from each and do a test mix.

  • I think it should work. I would mix a small sample and try it out on a small/not very noticeable spot and see how it works.

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on May 29, 2021

    Try to mix it together in a small batch first and test it out