Storage - Home Garage Projects

The garage is often the first place that you may think to store extra items that you don’t have space for storing in your home. There are, however, items that should not be stored in the garage due to the fact that most are not heated or cooled and are exposed to inconsistent outside temperatures. For this reason, many people ask, can you store leftover paint in a garage? Paint should never be stored in the garage if it is unheated or is not a consistent temperature and humidity. Paint stored in the garage can be exposed to extreme temperature changes and can break down the chemical make-up of the paint causing it to separate and begin to gel. The best place to store paint is in a cool, dark, dry location that is temperature controlled. If the chemical make-up of the paint breaks down, it may even require special disposal at a hazardous waste facility that would otherwise not be necessary. Paint should be stored in an environment that is consistently cool and dry and for most this cannot be achieved in a garage. What is paint made of? Paint is made up of a solvent, pigments, binder, and any additional additives. The binder (resin) is what holds the pigment particles together and helps the paint adhere to the surface. Pigments are what give the paint its color and additional additives are anything that’s added to provide enhancements to the paint such as mold or scuff resistance, prevent sagging, quicken the drying process, etc. Solvents are the liquid makeup of the paint that provides a vehicle for the pigment and the binder to get from the can to the surface you are painting. Hot and cold temperatures can cause these different parts to separate and alter the important qualities of the paint. It is important to understand that in latex paint, for example, water is used as the solvent and can account for almost half of the make-up of the paint. Knowing it is water based makes it easier to understand why temperature is such an important factor when deciding where to store your cans of paint. If the paint were to be exposed to extreme cold in the winter months, all of that water would freeze and ruin the consistency of the paint, making it unusable. Where is the best place to store paint? The best place to store excess paint is a dark, cool, and dry place such as the basement, cabinet, or other storage location inside your home that is climate controlled. It is often best to use a shelving unit off the ground and label any paint that you have transferred to other containers. Another element you want to avoid is sunlight, so you will want to make sure you are not storing paint next to a window or door where it would be exposed to direct sun for long periods of time. If you need help deciding if a location is suitable for storing your leftover paint, determine if the room temperature stays between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember that attics can become quite hot in the summer despite the temperature in the rest of the home. You should also consider whether the area is damp as you want to avoid any possible moisture that could cause the paint can to rust. This can sometimes be an issue in basements that have high humidity, so it is best to ensure that your basement is dry first. For safety reason, always store paint out of reach of children and pets. If you use your garage for storage, check out this article about whether you should store firewood in your garage. Can you store paint thinner in the garage The same rules apply when you are looking for a place to store paint thinner. Do not store paint thinner in the garage because it will be exposed to extreme temperature changes that could ruin the product. You should find a dark, cool, and dry environment to store any leftover paint thinner that you have. Paint thinner is also highly flammable, so be sure not to store it in direct sunlight or other areas where it would be susceptible to hot temperature extremes like in the garage or other areas that are not temperature controlled. Be sure to check out: Can paint thinner freeze? Extend the shelf life of your paint There are some additional ways that you can prolong the life of your paint for future use and it is all in how you store it. Cleaning up after a big paint project is usually the thing that people dread the most when it comes to painting, but taking the time to do a few extra steps can save you a lot of cost from having to buy new paint for small touch ups. Here are a couple of tips that you can use to ensure that your paint lasts longer: Using the right storage container for your paint If you use up a large amount of paint from the original can of paint, the best idea is to transfer the remaining paint to a smaller container. Appropriate containers include lined metal cans (to prevent rust) and glass jars or plastic containers. You should try to use a storage container that is not much larger than the amount of paint that you have left over to store so that you can avoid excess air exposure. You can also place a piece of plastic wrap over the opening of the can before replacing the lid or you can use mason jars to ensure you have a proper seal on the paint. With any of these options be sure that you are using an airtight container to keep your paint in good condition. Use proper tools to open and close metal paint cans When you are ready to start a job or are done painting for the day it is tempting to grab whatever tool is convenient to open or seal up the paint can. However, you should be sure to never use tools that are not intended to open paint cans as they may dent or bend the lid or the can itself. Any damage to the lid could prevent a proper seal when closing the can. Always use paint can openers for best results. These are readily available at any store that sells paint. It is never a bad idea to grab a few in case you lose one. Grab a few extra paint sticks to stir the paint! The same rule goes for closing the paint can; never use a hammer or other incorrect tools to close the lid as they can cause significant damage to the lid and rim of the can. A smaller rubber mallet or piece of wood will do the trick without causing any damage. How to tell if paint has gone bad? There are a couple of ways to determine if your paint has gone bad and is no longer usable. The best way and probably the most noticeable will be the smell of the paint when you open the can. Paint that has gone bad may have a very rancid, sour, or sharp smell. It is possible that the paint may even smell like mold or mildew. Either of these would indicate that the paint has indeed gone bad and it is unlikely that the smell would go away after being applied to any surface. Another indicator of whether paint can no longer be used would be the consistency of the paint. You should see a very smooth consistency free of any chunks or obvious separation after thorough stirring. If you notice a strange smell or do not see a smooth consistency you should assume that the paint has gone bad and expose it properly. Conclusion While storing paint in the garage is never a good idea, there are many alternative paint storage options that will extend the life of your leftover paint. Latex paint, which is the most commonly used household paint, or oil-based paints can be used for up to 2 years if stored properly. With any paint older than 2 years, you should always mix extremely well before using and it is also best to paint a small test patch before deciding to paint a larger area. If the paint has a smooth consistency and has no foul smell, it may still be okay to use even if it is older than 2 years. Use these guidelines to determine if it is still usable.