5 Signs of Expired Paint, and the Right Way to Store It. You may still have leftover paint that has been used before to save more. However, did you know that paint has an expiration date that makes it unfit for reuse?
Although paint is stored using a closed container, in fact, paint can last up to several years. The average can of paint can last approximately 10 years with proper storage.
For this reason, it is important to know whether the paint you are going to use is still suitable or not. Using damaged paint can affect unsatisfactory painting results such as clumping, peeling, and stains on the walls.
Below are some signs that the paint has expired and should be discarded immediately as reported by Better Homes & Garden.
Signs that the paint is no longer suitable for use
1. Texture that has changed
Before using the paint, it would be nice to stir the paint first. This also applies to new paint. The benefit of stirring is to ensure that the ingredients are well mixed. When the old paint is stirred, and then the consistency of the paint is thick, lumpy or has a cheese-like texture, it means that the paint is expired.
2. Emits odor
When opening old paint, one of the things to check is the smell. New paint has a chemical smell from acrylic paint or oil-based paint. Whereas old paint has a sour, rancid, and even rotten smell, meaning that the paint should be discarded.
3. Discoloration
One of the signs of expired paint is the color pigments settling at the bottom and the chemicals floating at the top. This can usually be remedied with a professional paint stirrer. However, you need to pay attention to the age of the paint again. The older the paint, the harder it is to mix.
4. Mold or mildew growing
The purpose of tightly sealing a paint can is to prevent paint from spilling, preventing air from entering. It also prevents dust, dirt, mold, and mildew from entering the paint can. If the paint can is not sealed tightly, mold and mildew will grow and spread along the walls of the can.
5. Rust or corrosion occurs
A rusted or corroded paint can indicates that the paint was not stored in a safe and dry place. Looking at the condition of the can, it is likely that the paint inside has expired. There is a way to fix this by opening the can and checking the paint.
If the paint seems fine, it is advisable to pour the paint into a more suitable container for proper storage.
How to store paint properly
5 Signs of Expired Paint, and the Right Way to Store It
To maintain the quality of the paint, you also need to store it in the right area. Below are some of the proper ways to store paint.
1. Proper storage
Where you store your paint cans is one of the most important considerations. Most types of paint should be stored in a cool, dry location, such as a basement.
2. Check for an airtight seal
The best way to create an airtight seal on a paint can is to close the lid, then turn the paint can upside down. This way, the paint liquid is pressed against the inside of the lid and no air gets in.
3. Avoid contamination
To prevent the addition of bacteria or mold to the paint, pour the paint into a tray or cup before painting. Then discard the remaining paint residue rather than pouring it back into the paint can. Also, avoid dipping brushes or rollers directly into the can, and leaving the lid open when the paint is not in use.
