Does Paint Go Bad If Unopened

How Long Does Paint Final?

by | Nov 7, 2021

Everyone has sometime paint cans lying around. Merely does paint go bad? Furthermore, how long does sometime paint last? Like many homeowners, you lot may be wondering if y'all can reuse leftover paint for touch-ups or in your next DIY paint job.

Whether you've found unopened cans in your basement from previous owners or accept paint cans by their lifespan in your crawlspace, our painting experts will help.

The goal of this article is to respond how long paint lasts also as proper disposal questions. In improver, nosotros'll show you lot how to make leftover paint last. This comprehensive home improvement old paint guide volition assistance you brand the best conclusion for your dwelling house, your family, and the environment.

Permit'south start by answering the age-old question, does paint go bad?

Does Paint Go Bad?

Yep, all types of pigment go bad eventually. A previously opened tin of paint lasts five years on average if properly sealed and stored. Old paint shelf life tin also vary amid dissimilar types of paint.

In particular, an unopened tin can of latex or acrylic paint lasts upwards to 10 years. For unopened paints that are oil-based or alkyd-based, the shelf life could be up to 15 years. Additionally, chalk pigment has a shorter lifespan from one-3 years, and milk paint only lasts i-2 weeks after its mixed.

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But how long paint lasts depends on the kind of paint being stored and the storage atmospheric condition. Unsealed pigment stored in a garage with freezing temperatures volition non last much past 1-2 years.

Impairment from extreme temperatures affects all paint types in the aforementioned way. This includes paints and primers from Sherwin-Williams, Dulux, Glidden, Kilz, Zinnser, Benjamin Moore, or Behr.

Don't worry, we will cover how to safely store paint and proper disposal methods in the section after next.

Thinking near painting your exterior? Bank check out our latest article on ideal outdoor painting temperatures.

How Practise You lot Know if Paint is Bad?

Yous can tell paint has gone bad by the smell and texture. A rancid or sour-smelling paint means your pigment has gone bad. In item, the scent of bad paint is similar to sour milk.

Other indicators of expired paint include a lumpy or chunky paint consistency. For one, the expired paint volition take adhesion issues. More importantly, information technology can be hazardous by giving off excess VOCs or pigment fumes. In this case, information technology's best to get new paint.

Nevertheless, the paint may still be expert if the h2o has separated from the solids. Over time, gravity pushes the solids to the bottom of a can. Despite this, the chemical makeup of the paint is the same.

In this instance, exist certain to thoroughly shake or stir subsequently opening the paint before yous use it for whatever painting projects. This is shown in the photo to a higher place. Subsequently a good mixing using a paint stir stick, the outside paint in the movie was still proficient.

Go along in mind that this is not the instance if the paint has been frozen at whatever point. Upon a deep freeze, the solids and water volition have separated permanently. If this is the case, you'll want to buy new pigment instead and properly dispose of the leftover cans.

Appropriately, a few keys to properly store paint include:

An closed seal or fully closed lid on a paint can
Storage in a temperature-controlled room
Kept in a dry out place without mildew or direct sunlight
Placed on a shelf, abroad from the accomplish of children

Mixing Old Pigment

As a rule of thumb, you should always mix any former paint thoroughly prior. Even matching pigment colors volition look "off" color-wise when you apply it if not mixed well. Another all-time practise is to strain the paint remove the thin film or skin that forms on superlative of drying latex paints.

Without compromise, any mold or mildew inside the tin is a huge blood-red flag. This ways it's fourth dimension to dispose of the old paint. One last indicator of if it'due south time to toss the paint is a broken seal or if a lid was non secured properly on a can.

How to Properly Dispose of Old Paints

If yous find pigment that has gone bad, do non use information technology to paint your walls or drywall touchups. Instead, you should properly dispose of the paint at home. Alternatively, you can drop off expired paint at a designated disposal facility if your metropolis or county has one.

Oil-Based Paint Disposal

Proper disposal of oil-based paint is a behemothic hassle, which is why nigh new paints institute at Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, or even Habitation Depot are water-based. In case you find leftover oil or alkyd-based paint, there is one very important thing to consider.

It is actually illegal in almost states to throw away oil-based paints in the trash. Due to the solvents in oil-based or alkyd paints, they are considered chancy waste matter and can contaminate soil and water.

Given that states like California prohibit tossing any quondam pigment in your garbage, its best to bank check local paint recycling regulations. Luckily, many regions have designated paint drop off facilities. Not to mention, improper paint disposal is terrible for the environment whether information technology's in a landfill or not. Moreover, never pour a substantial amount of old pigment downwardly a bleed or toilet.

Lastly, some paint stores like Sherwin-Williams or Ace Hardware may however have a paint recycling program. Most have phased out paint drop-off services and so brand sure to call alee.

Latex Paints Disposal

Most new, modern paint formulations are acrylic latex or water-based. In improver to having lower VOCs compared to oil-based paints, acrylic paints are better for the surroundings. Not to mention, latex paint is much easier to store and dispose of properly. Courtesy of Chicago's public health department, hither are a few options to properly dispose of old latex or water-based paint at dwelling:

If the paint is however proficient, donate it or use it past adding another glaze of paint to a wall or by brushing or rolling some paper-thin Amazon delivery boxes.
Dry up the sometime paint by leaving it out. At present if there is a lot of one-time paint, you tin add kitty litter or shredded paper to soak up and absorb it. In one case dry, y'all tin toss it out as normal.

In order to avoid costly headaches, allow's become into more item on how to store paint and then information technology doesn't get bad in the outset place.

Storing Paint And then Information technology Doesn't Become Bad

It's best to store paint in a cooler, dry out area that doesn't experience farthermost oestrus or freezing conditions. Depending on the type of paint, extreme temperature swings can harm the pigment. Not to mention, it tin can potentially create a take chances in your house. That'south why y'all should keep the unused paint in a room that stays betwixt 60-eighty degrees.

Side by side, make certain the pigment is properly sealed. When information technology comes to closing single-gallon cans, wipe excess paint from the lip first. Then utilize a rubber mallet to secure the lid, tapping the outer edges to avoid denting the heart. Additionally, you can household plastic wrap as a gasket between the lid and can of paint for a better, air-tight seal.

Some other good idea is to store the pigment on a shelf or somewhere where kids can't accomplish it. What'due south more, placing the pigment college up on a shelf also prevents the likelihood of mildew or mold buildup.

Lastly, keep the paint out of directly sunlight and avoid backlog heat from a banality or air vent. Indeed, heat fast forwards paint expiration dates. This is even more important with any oil-based pigment or elastomeric stucco products. Notwithstanding, solvent-based paints can actually catch fire under extreme rut conditions.

Leftover Paint Tips

In that location are a few remaining tips when it comes to storing unlike types of leftover paint. In this case, nosotros will focus on the differences betwixt interior pigment versus exterior paint.

The key to both interior and exterior paint is to properly budget exactly how much paint you'll demand for your job in the first place. Paint companies like Sherwin-Williams and even hardware stores like Domicile Depot and Lowes all have paint buying calculator tools on their websites. For example, here is the paint buying calculator from Lowes.

Interior Paint

One professional person tip to storing interior paint is to characterization each tin properly. What I'd recommend is taking a permanent marker and writing the room, surface, and paint colour on the meridian of the can. Yous tin can also include the paint sheen and painting finish or brand in case the label on the tin can is covered with pigment.

Hither are a few examples of what that would expect like:

Living Room – Walls – Warm Pewter in Eggshell – Benjamin Moore
Primary Bedroom – Ceilings – Flat Ceiling White By Glidden
Guest Bathroom – Trim – Cornforth White (Farrow and Ball)

Accordingly, you should seal interior paints shortly subsequently utilize and properly store them in a absurd, dry room. Similar to the actress paint storage tips outlined earlier in the article.

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Exterior Paint

Because exterior paint is used outdoors, many homeowners mistakenly think it's more resilient to temperature changes when stored abroad. This is actually non true. Equally a result, yous should store exterior paints the same style you would interior paints. Exterior paints should be stored in a cool, dry area that maintains a temperature between threescore-eighty degrees.

For exterior paints, yous should also label the can's painting surface, color name, and sheen. Here are a few examples of labels given to outside paints prior to storage:

Siding – Navajo White – Satin (Sherwin Williams)
Trim, Soffits – Dove White – Gloss (Benjamin Moore)
Windows, Doors – Rushing Stream – Semigloss Enamel (Behr)

Furthermore, for cedar exteriors like the homes we paint in Naperville, you'll probable exist using a solid stain. Solid stains are stored the same way that exterior paints are stored.

As a last notation for the painting contractors reading this. Being a painting company, we typically keep backlog paint in a temperature-controlled storage unit. If possible, we'll also donate it to our local salvation regular army or ask neighbors if they could use it. Nosotros also communicate how of import it is to non overbuy paint to customers.

According to the EPA, an estimated 10 per centum of paint purchased in the Usa is left unused. Certainly, excess paint leads to improper disposal which can hurt the surround. Green initiatives like this and correctly budgeting how much paint y'all'll need are essential to keeping customers and the planet happy.

Erstwhile Paint Shelf Life FAQs

Is it unsafe to use old paint?

It can be dangerous to use old paint. Paints made prior to 1978 may contain pb and expired oil-based paints can emit harmful fumes that are toxic. Even latex paints made prior to 1990 may incorporate mercury which is unsafe to yous and your family. Proper sometime paint disposal is essential to keep your home and the environment safe.
How long does h2o-based paint last once opened?

Once opened water-based acrylic or latex paint can stay good for up to 10 years when properly stored in a cool, dry room in your home. The same applies to water-based primers that are stored and sealed properly.
Is it safety to shop paint in the house?

Yes, it is rubber to shop paint in your house in nearly cases depending on the paint type. Here are a few pigment storage tips to help your paint last 5-10 years in storage. Showtime, yous should store pigment in a room that stays betwixt 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit all year. Adjacent, yous'll desire to brand certain the paint can is closed completely to maintain an airtight seal. Last, y'all should store extra paint high up on a shelf so that children cannot reach information technology.