How Long Can You Keep Paint Before It Goes Bad

Painting is ane of those home improvement activities that we've all done at least once, and while it's relatively easy to exercise, storing the leftover pigment subsequently tin can go somewhat of a art.

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In other words, in that location's a big chance that you aren't storing paint correctly, and since leftover paint is so common, you probably take a lot of information technology. Plus, paint is expensive, and then it's worth information technology to take the proper precautions and shop your pigment the right style then that it doesn't get bad.

Whether y'all're just the occasional painter or you're all nearly that hashtag-paintlife, hither are some tips to keep that leftover paint every bit fresh equally possible for equally long equally possible.

Keep It Away From Farthermost Weather

Possibly one of the unmarried most important methods for storing paint is keeping it out of places that can go extremely hot, extremely cold, extremely boiling, and so on.

This normally means keeping it out of a garage or shed that gets actually hot and humid during the summer and really cold during the winter. When paint gets really hot, it dries upwards. And when it gets common cold, the paint can dissever and create a curdled mess. Plus, the wet from humidity tin rust the paint cans, and when y'all go to open up up the hat, flakes of that rust can get into the pigment.

With that in mind, store your pigment in a cool, dry place. In my house, that'due south the utility room closet—it's air conditioned and out of the fashion.

Seal Up the Pigment Tin can As Best As Possible

Pigment stores best when it's sealed in an closed container. Fortunately, paint cans are able to do this naturally, but many DIYers compromise this at the very offset when they go to crevice the lid.

It's all-time not to utilize a screwdriver to open a tin can of paint, as it can dent or warp the lid and compromise the airtight seal when it comes time to put the lid back on. Instead, use a proper paint can opener, which is specifically designed to open up those paint can lids without dissentious them.

Furthermore, getting paint into the recessed groove that travels along the rim of the can is a common occurrence, only you lot actually desire that completely free of paint and then that the chapeau gets a proper seal when you go to close up the can. Of course, this is easier said than done, but one matter that tin can help is by using a paint tin spout. Information technology'll continue paint out of that groove and information technology makes pouring paint much easier in the kickoff identify.

When information technology comes fourth dimension to actually put the lid back on, utilise a condom mallet and gently tap on the hat all around the edge to seat the lid into the tin's groove. Don't use a hammer, as information technology tin likewise dent and warp the chapeau, ruining that airtight seal. If you don't accept a rubber mallet, place a piece of wood over the lid and use a hammer to tamp the hat downwards.

Some painters put a layer of plastic wrap over the pigment can opening before putting the hat back on in order to aid in sealing upwards the can completely. This is totally fine and encouraged, merely information technology's non absolutely necessary if you lot follow the steps in a higher place.

Keep Everything Clean and Organized

While keeping everything clean and organized won't necessarily help with your paint lasting longer, it tin can help your sanity.

I similar to pour leftover paint into smaller containers if there's non that much left, which is helpful in many ways. First, it significantly lowers the paint-to-air ratio in the container, which will keep the paint fresh for longer. Second, it saves a lot of space when I get from those large metal pigment cans to smaller mason jars. Plus, you tin label the jars and write which room the paint belongs to.

If you do decide to stick with metal paint cans for storing any leftover paint, exist certain to wipe all of the paint off the hat and make clean it completely so it looks make new. Otherwise, that thin layer of paint volition dry upwards and tin potentially fall into the paint can when y'all get to put the lid back on.

Lastly, no affair what containers you store your pigment in, continue them complimentary of falling grit and dirt, considering the moment you lot go to open the hat, that grit and dirt can easily fall into the pigment and ruin information technology.

How to Know If Paint Has Gone Bad

If you didn't do the all-time job when it came to properly storing leftover paint, you lot might be curious as to whether it has gone bad, and rightfully then.

Give it a sniff. If information technology smells anything like other than what paint should odor like, it'south probably bad. Yet, try mixing it with a stir stick and come across if the pigment mixes together smoothly. Subsequently that, brush a little chip of the paint onto a test surface and encounter how well it spreads. If it'south rough and bumpy, it'due south time to go rid of information technology.

In the end, it's all-time to use the archetype saying: "If in doubt, throw information technology out". However, with paint existence so expensive, no one can blame you for trying to get the most mileage out of leftover paint as possible.

Image from Bob M/Flickr