Rich recently repainted areas where he had filled holes from removed shutters. Even though he used the exact same yellow paint, the spots now appear to have a greenish tint. Let’s explore why this happens and how to address it.
Question from Rich:
I filled some holes where shutters were and painted them the exact same yellow paint used on the house, however, the spots I painted have a greenish tint to it? Not sure why as it’s the same yellow color paint? Should I prime it first?

Hey Rich! From what I can see, the color is close, but the slight greenish tint could be due to a few common factors, let’s break it down and figure out what’s going on.
Was the Paint Mixed Properly?
One likely reason for the greenish tint is that the paint wasn’t mixed thoroughly. This has happened to me before, especially with yellow paints, as they often include subtle green undertones in their formula.
If the pigments weren’t fully blended, the green component may show more prominently. I recommend giving the paint a thorough mix and trying again on a small test area to see if it resolves the issue.
New Paint vs. Old Paint
Even if the paint was mixed properly, freshly applied paint can look slightly different than the older paint on your house.
Over time, paint fades due to sun exposure, weather, and general wear, so the original yellow on your walls may have shifted slightly in tone. It’s common for new paint to stand out initially, but it should blend in better after a couple of seasons.
Priming the Area
If the patched areas weren’t primed before painting, the filler material could be affecting how the paint looks. Patches often absorb paint differently than the surrounding surface, leading to slight color variations.
Using a high-quality primer before painting can help create a uniform surface and reduce the chance of color discrepancies. This probably isn’t the case for your particular situation, but it’s something to consider if the other factors don’t seem to apply.
Recommendations to Fix the Issue
Here’s what I suggest to resolve the greenish tint:
- Mix Your Paint Thoroughly: Before applying more paint, make sure it’s well-stirred to evenly distribute the pigments, then reapply it to those areas.
- Feather the Edges: Blend the new paint into the surrounding area with a feathering technique to minimize any noticeable hard lines.
- Be Patient: If the color is close but still slightly off, give it some time. New paint often needs a season or two to weather and match the surrounding paint more closely.
The greenish tint is most likely due to the paint not being mixed up enough, at least that is my opinion. Try mixing the paint up again, very well and reapply. After that, give it a little time and your patched areas should blend seamlessly with the rest of your house. Let me know how it turns out, Rich!