We all have noticed that the paint we bought for the painting project doesn’t get entirely used up. So save the remaining color in your garage or storage room for later use.
However, the paint you saved may go wrong in the next two to fifteen years.
This range is confusing, so how would you know when to use the color? Not to worry! We will discuss in this article the type of paints and their storage condition along with the long-term benefits.
How to Recognize if Your Paint Has Gone Bad
If you search online, you will see that varying opinions are available on different sites regarding the shelf life of the paint. However, these sources are not accurate and cannot be trusted.
Minneapolis painting company will help you in choosing the right type of paint for your home. Multiple factors damage the stored paint, including the paint type, storage location, and whether the color was ever opened.
You must think that you are making the wisest decision by storing the leftover paint from your painting project and using it again any other time. However, before using the color again, you should check whether it has gone wrong or not.
How to check that? Well, here are a few signs that would indicate the spoilage of your paint.
Bad Odor: If you open the paint bucket and you sense any kind of odor, this means that the paint has gone wrong. The scent would smell foul, like rotten food in the refrigerator.
The disturbing odor is due to the bacterial contamination caused when the paint is stored for too long. You would be able to see mold inside the paint, which would justify the mysterious odor coming from the paint.
Paint is Damaged: If your paint is damaged, you will recognize that by noticing some physical changes in the paint. You’ll feel the variations in its color or notice the lumps that will not stir out.
These signs would signify that your paint most probably expired. Also, the paint kept for a long time settles down, so you should stir it properly before using it again. One way to prolong the life of the color is to filter it.
Separated solutions: Try stirring your paint to see if it can recombine if it has separated into semi-transparent and opaque liquids.
Wait a short while. You’ll know your color is no longer safe to use if it soon separates again since the solvent and pigment won’t comply appropriately with the wall.
If the paint has dried, think about saving a tiny bit of it so you can match the color if you need to perform touch-ups in the future.
Proper Storage
You can prevent your paint from damaging and exceeding its life by storing it in a suitable location.
The most convenient location for the paint to be kept stored would be a dark and dry location where the temperature stays moderate. Temperature-controlled garages and basements fulfill the requirements of such a location.
Those paint cans that have been opened already demand special treatment.
Because the paint is exposed to air, its consistency may start varying, and there are chances that it will eventually dry out. Make sure to properly seal the opened can of paint to prolong its life.
Paint’s Shelf Life
The paint’s shelf life is also affected by the paint you use. Their life also depends on whether the container has been opened before or not. The life of solvent-based paints is long enough to sustain for 15 years if they haven’t been opened before.
Water-based acrylic paints have a life of 10 years.
Likewise, their life supports if they haven’t been opened. Also, make sure that your paint is kept away from temperature extremes. For the paints that have been opened before, reseal them tightly and store them in a cool and dry place.
Such paints are only usable for about two years.
Paint Disposal
Latex and acrylic paints should be solidified with cat litter before disposal if you cannot utilize them or give them away. Stir as you combine one part color with two parts clay-based kitty litter.
Within an hour, the paint should set. You can also consult your local or state environmental protection officials for the dates and locations of toxic waste collections for unwanted alkyd and oil-based paints.
Final Verdict
During long-term storage, paints typically split into solids and liquids.
You can reuse your saved paints if you can smoothly swirl the particles back into the liquid.
However, according to the Minneapolis house painting company, the paint should be thrown away if the solids have dried out on the bottom of the container and do not mix with the liquid.
If you sense any foul odor after opening the can, know that your paint has spoiled!