We love completing painting projects around the house on our own because it gives us such a sense of accomplishment. At the end of every painting project, we of course, end up with leftover paint. We like to keep the leftover paint on hand for touch ups which are inevitable, but we always wonder how long we can actually store the paint before it goes bad.
Most types of paint can typically be stored for about 2 years if it is stored properly. Some can last much longer when stored under ideal conditions. There are some simple ways to tell if your paint has gone bad. Read below to find out how…
When we moved into our home, the house had been freshly painted and there was a lot of leftover paint. The previous homeowners, however, stored all the leftover paint in the garage. Unfortunately, paint should never be stored in the garage because it will likely end up ruined. You can read more here about why paint can’t be stored in the garage.
What we found was that due to the hot weather, all that leftover paint had separated and was impossible to mix thoroughly again. The paint also had a very strange smell letting us know that it was no longer usable.
Where should paint be stored?
We really hated losing all of that paint so we started researching the best way to store paint to give it the longest possible shelf life. Here is what we found:
The ideal conditions for storing paint are:
- Cool: The paint should be stored in a place that is not too hot, as high temperatures can cause the paint to become thick and difficult to use.
- Dry: The paint should be stored in a place that is not humid, as excess moisture can cause the paint to become watery and difficult to apply.
- Away from direct sunlight and heat sources: The paint should be stored in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight or other sources of heat, which can cause the paint to become thicker and less effective.
- Not prone to freezing: The paint should be stored in a place that is not prone to freezing temperatures, as freezing can cause the paint to become thick and difficult to use.
- Not easily accessible to children or pets: The paint should be stored in a place that is not easily accessible to children or pets because paint can be toxic if ingested.
- Covered: If you are storing opened cans of paint, be sure to cover the opening with a tight-fitting lid to prevent the paint from drying out or becoming contaminated.
- Labeled: It is a good idea to label the paint cans with the date and type of paint to help you track how long the paint has been stored and to ensure that you use the oldest paint first.
How can you tell if paint has gone bad?
If you have leftover paint that you have been storing for a while, you may be unsure whether it’s still usable. If it has not been stored in an area with the above conditions, it is very likely that it has gone bad.
There are a few signs that paint may have gone bad:
- Changes in consistency: If the paint has thickened or thinned significantly even after thorough stirring, it may no longer be usable.
- Separation: If the paint has separated into layers, this is often a sign that it has been damaged by extreme temperature changes.
- Mold or mildew: If the paint has developed mold or mildew, it should be discarded. Using the paint would only spread the mold and mildew to your walls.
- Strange odors: If the paint has a strong, unpleasant odor, you should assume it has gone bad and dispose of it properly.
- Discoloration: If the paint has changed color or has become discolored, you are going to see an obvious color difference on the wall as well.
If you are unsure whether the paint is still good, you can try to stir it well and apply a small amount to a piece of cardboard or a scrap piece of wood. If the paint goes on smoothly and dries correctly, it is probably still good. If it has any of the above problems or does not dry properly, it should be discarded.
All paint manufacturers will provide an expiration date for the paint usually on the bottom of the can. This is not a definite date as paint could expire earlier or later than the specified date. Use the indicator above to make your best judgment about whether your paint is still usable. Often it is very obvious when your paint has gone bad.