How Long Can You Store Paint?
This is a great insight to what our studio is looking like right about now!
We are still working endlessly on our re-do. Emptying it out completely and starting from scratch. You think this is a lot of paint? You haven’t even seen our paint closet!
How long can you store paint and how can you tell if it is good or bad?
The ideal place to store paint is in a temperature controlled environment. If so, the paint stores will tell you that it can be good for up to a year to a year and a half. But I will go on and tell you, Jaime and I have been able to save ours and use for almost up to 3 years.
A good way to tell if your paint is bad is by opening the can and smelling it. If it smells bad, almost like a mold, then it definitely is not good. Throw it out. Also, look at the consistency of the paint. If it has a jelly like appearance, you probably shouldn’t use it.
However, there are times when the can has been sitting for a while, some or most of the sediment will have settled to the bottom of the can. If you have some stir sticks, you may be able to give it a good long stir to mix it up again. You can also take it to your local paint store and have them shake it on there machine. This is a good way to mix all of the sediment up to the original consistency.
Got a faux or paint question? Need a little advice on a faux project?
Once a week, we’ll do a Q & A post to help you get your home decor painting how you want it. Email us your question and we will do our best to give you an answer! Just click on the Email Badge on the left column of this page at any time.
- Tomorrow on the OTW Blog: Exclusive interview with Kim Parker!
12 comments
Good luck with the cleaning. All those paint cans bring back memories!!!! :)
Hmm…I don’t know about the paint can storage, but that is a great question! Great idea about the Q & A…I’ll have to think of some!
Ready for the Northwest Spread Smoked Salmon dip recipe? Here you go:
1 8 ounce package of cream cheese
1/4 cup of whipping cream
1 green onion thinly sliced
2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Dash of red pepper sauce
4 ounces smoked salmon, gently shredded
1 ripe avocado, mashed.
In large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and whipping cream together until smooth and creamy. Stir in green onion, lemon juice and red pepper sauce. Gently fold in smoked salmon and mashed avocado, being careful not to overmix. Serve with crackers.
Easy & Yum. Just my kind of recipe!
xo
Oh, thanks so much for the tips. I definitely have some “jelly” paint laying around.
Dianne, aren’t you glad your past all these paint cans?
Melissa, thanks so much for the great dip recipe! Can’t wait to make this, yum. Bet it was a hit at the shower:)
thanks so much for the info…my paint needs to go bye-bye.
Love the Q&A idea……such a great idea!!
Oh, wow, I’ve got paint a LOT older than that sitting in my basement. I guess it never occurred to me that it would go “bad” so fast! Time to clean it out. -Julia
Thanks a lot Melissa! Here’s another question: is it best to buy from the brand name paint company, or can you just take the paint chip to any paint company and get the same color via their computer paint match? Is that confusing? Anyway, I have a paint color from Pratt & Lambert that I really like, but am wondering if it is ok to just take it to Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore? I am not even sure where Pratt & Lambert is sold. Thanks for your expertise!!
Priss, the best option is to buy from the paint company who makes the paint color you desire. However, Jaime and I often have colors matched at other paint stores. We have used Sherwin Williams to match colors before and have had both good and bad experiences. Just be sure when you order the paint, that you have a sample of the color you want and be sure to double check it before you leave the store!!!!! The will mix as many gallons as it takes to get it right, but it is your responsibility to make certain it’s the right match before you leave. I hope this helps!!!!
Well, I will have to take a HUGE smell then. Without my complete knowelege, my gallon was left out side all week in our 95 degree NC sun. We’ll see………
Oops…yes, my spelling knowledge is shining through. Dratted lack of editing.:)
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