C2 Paint is the brainchild of Thomas Hill III, a former paint chemist, who became frustrated by the poor quality of the products available in the industry. “At that time, paint was becoming just another commodity. The focus was less on quality and color and more on how they could make it cheaper, faster and more mainstream,” Hill recalls.
So in 1998, he set out to do the impossible: start a paint brand that surpassed all others. He gathered a group of independent paint dealers and presented them with his proposition. This passionate, creative—and often rebellious—alliance formed the first and only dealer-owned paint brand in North America. “We wanted to redefine what it meant to be a paint company … to avoid the trappings of a large corporate structure so we could concentrate on innovation, creativity and selling an exclusive, best-in-class product—all while maintaining our independence.”
Carefully crafted by hand, C2 was heralded as an instant classic, as evidenced by their timeless color palette and artistic philosophy. “Our product is designed for the savvy consumer who truly appreciates color and quality. C2 is NOT your conventional, off-the-shelf paint. But if you’re looking for innovative, handcrafted products that are user-friendly, C2 Paint will surpass your expectations. In the world of luxury paints, our quality and durability present an incredible value proposition.”
The beauty of nature is the inspiration behind every C2 Paint color, made with unique, finely ground, artist-grade pigments. The company approaches their craft like a fine painter would—using complementary colors to tone (instead of black), and applying multiple colorants to create unmatchable, luminous colors. Curated by design professionals, the harmonious 496-color palette makes choosing colors less stressful and more intuitive.
C2’s independence allows them to maintain the highest standards of quality—from raw materials and proprietary technology to performance and service. Exclusive offerings like color chips made with real paint, the Ultimate Paint Chip (the industry’s first 17" x 24" color tool) and proprietary full-spectrum color formulas have made many competitors nervous.
“We’ve been targeted by some of the biggest names in the industry, but we consider that a compliment,” says Hill. “We’re not the type of people who back away from a challenge. We’re dreamers and doers. And we will continue to create the most incredible paint colors and products available.”
Two decades and countless gallons later, C2 continues to dedicate its mission to making paint on its own terms. The company attributes much of its success to those that have supported its innovation and color philosophy—interior designers that insist on specifying C2, painters and contractors that entrust their reputation to C2, and discerning homeowners that choose C2 to beautify their homes. Together they have enabled C2 Paint to turn an impossible proposition into a colorful reality.