How to stop painting skinning over in the tin!!

RichD1 · 17 Mar 2019

Just went to use some Dulux white gloss which I used about 4 weeks ago and it had started to skin over already! Removed the bulk of it but it was just full of small bits. There was about 1/4 of a litre can left and was new about 2 months ago.

I always pour into a pot and ensure the can lip and lid is wiped clean before putting back on. Will paint always do this in the short term or is there a way to stop it?

Would straining whats left through on of my wife's small kitchen sieves do the trick?

Richard

Notch7 · 17 Mar 2019

RichD1 said:
Just went to use some Dulux white gloss which I used about 4 weeks ago and it had started to skin over already! Removed the bulk of it but it was just full of small bits. There was about 1/4 of a litre can left and was new about 2 months ago.

I always pour into a pot and ensure the can lip and lid is wiped clean before putting back on. Will paint always do this in the short term or is there a way to stop it?

Would straining whats left through on of my wife's small kitchen sieves do the trick?

Richard

I know someone that stores his paint tins upside down. Then when he uses one, the skin is on the bottom!

Ive no idea if it works and it carriis an obvious risk

EddieM · 17 Mar 2019

Yep, standard way of doing it. Make sure the lids on tight!

opps · 17 Mar 2019

I recently finished an exterior. The oil based Dulux Trade Weathershield oil based paint would start skinning after two days. I normally use a flat off cut of wood to apply even pressure to the lid as I push it down but I have noticed that the current design of dulux tins can still result in the tin's rim becoming slightly deformed (ie pushed downwards on one side).

2 day skin is a mare, 4 days less so, at least you can cut it away.

I have no idea why gloss skins so quickly. I have been painting doors in my garage for a cabinet maker in the evenings over the last 8 days. I don't even bother pushing the lid down on the tin of oil based eggshell, I just rest it on the top of the tin and the paint is fine a couple of days later.

I don't use gloss very often but I don't recall it being an issue before the 2010 VOC compliance reformulations.

I don't invert my tins, I don't want to risk paint leaking on to a client's floor.

mattylad · 17 Mar 2019

It's been an issue since my grandads era, he always stored them upside down too.
If your concerned about leakage then store them upside down in a plastic box

dhutch · 1 Apr 2019

Notch7 said:
I know someone that stores his paint tins upside down. Then when he uses one, the skin is on the bottom!

Ive no idea if it works and it carriis an obvious risk

Never done it with paint, but it works well with PU adhesive such as the brown 'gorilla glue' which skins in 24h.

Daniel

OchAye · 2 Apr 2019

mattylad said:
It's been an issue since my grandads era, he always stored them upside down too.
If your concerned about leakage then store them upside down in a plastic box

It will just skin on the other side. The difference is you will not see the skin but it will be there all right. If you can't remove the air a skin will be formed. Cut it carefully and remove it is the only option for reusing the paint.

mattylad · 2 Apr 2019

However, a skin on the bottom is of no issue, what does it do? It brings the paint to the top of the tin with no skin on.
There is no need to remove it in order to reuse the paint.

OchAye · 2 Apr 2019

Will you stir the paint before you use it? If yes, the skin will break and will get mixed in the paint, much worse than just removing it as you will now have to strain the paint. And please do not tell me you will not mix the paint before you use it, I can see it coming

Feel free, do as you see fit.

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

How to stop painting skinning over in the tin!!

EddieM

Similar threads