White is not white. What is wise?

We are done with the house construction. Now we have completed the outbuilding. Since we knew we were going to build an annex, I placed great importance on using the same colors later on. The house is painted in antique white, the base in traffic gray. When the house was painted 3 years ago, it already appeared quite white to me, less antique white. But I had no point of comparison and the paint can actually said antique white, RAL 0096. So it had to be correct.

Now the annex is painted with RAL 0096 antique white and it is naturally a completely different white. Genuine antique white - you can see it immediately. That was also the color I always wanted. Now I have two different house walls and I am a bit annoyed.

What do you think? Did they fool me or mess up themselves or is it normal and dependent on the manufacturer’s variation? Can I request a new paint job? What would you do?

Well, in three years the house color was already exposed to environmental influences.

And the always slightly different substrate also does its part ...

Well, in three years the house color was already exposed to environmental influences.

And the ever so slightly different substrate also does its part ...

The main house never had this color. They are definitely two different shades. Even my husband noticed it right away, although men are known to see only half the colors women do.

Same painter? Same product?

Mixed at the factory or on customer request by the wholesaler?

Same painter? Same product? Mixed at the factory or on customer request by the wholesaler?

No, all different, but the RAL numbers are specified.

But I had no comparison and the paint can actually said old white, RAL 0096. So it had to be right.

Three years later ...

Now the outbuilding is painted with RAL 0096 old white and it is, of course, a completely different white.

Well, hindsight is always twenty-twenty. For next time and for future builders: "That must be right"* is often not good advice. You really have to drill and, if necessary, get a second, independent opinion. Back then, maybe one should have bought another can of old white and tested it in one spot. --- I certainly wouldn’t have done that, just as a disclaimer, you have other things to do.

Can I demand a new coat of paint? What would you do?

First, double-check that the new old white is correct. Then (depending on the relationship) call the old painter and kindly point out that the penny has dropped and hear what he says. Then you have to see. Maybe you can meet halfway: pay for materials etc., but the painter then repaints in his spare time as a goodwill gesture (or sends a journeyman ... in any case without labor costs). *Sometimes sounds like "We've always done it this way." "No one’s ever asked about that before."