Can You Return Mixed Paint to The Home Depot? Lowe's? Answered

Short Answer: If you’ve recently purchased interior or exterior paint from The Home Depot or Lowe’s, and it’s not quite right for any number of reasons, both stores have a 30-day Paint Satisfaction Guarantee. However, the specifics of the policies differ. If you purchased your paint from The Home Depot, you can exchange it for a new can of paint, or you can have The Home Depot try to correct the color in your current can of paint. If you purchased your paint from Lowe’s, you can return it for a refund, get a color adjustment, or get a different can of paint. See below for more information regarding returning paint to The Home Depot or Lowe’s.

Can You Return Mixed Paint to Home Depot?

The Home Depot has a 30-day Paint Satisfaction Guarantee, according to its website and the customer service agents we spoke with. Paint returns are only eligible for corrections or exchanges, rather than refunds.

If you purchase mixed paint from The Home Depot and you don’t like the color, it wasn’t mixed properly, or you simply change your mind and want a different shade, you can bring the paint back to the store within 30 days, along with your receipt. Then, The Home Depot’s paint specialists can either try to correct the paint you currently have or mix you a new, comparable can of paint. The Home Depot will not refund your money regardless of the reason you’re returning the paint.

If you purchased “oops” paint — paint that someone else returned and exchanged for a different color — the Paint Satisfaction Guarantee does not apply. These sales are final.

Can You Return Mixed Paint to Lowe’s?

Lowe’s also has a Paint Guarantee, according to its website and the customer service agents we spoke with. However, it differs from The Home Depot in that if you don’t like your paint for any reason, you have 30 days from the date of purchase to return it for a full refund or exchange it for a comparable can of paint.

To receive a refund to your original method of payment, you’ll need your original receipt, and the paint must be in “new” condition. This means you can open the can and test a small amount, but if there is a fair amount of paint missing from the can, you can’t return it for a refund. If you have used more than a small amount, you can take the unused portion back to Lowe’s and receive a comparable can of paint, or Lowe’s can also try and fix the color for you. As with The Home Depot, all “oops” paint sales are final.

To compare these policies with those at Walmart, check out our article regarding Walmart’s paint return policy.