how to keep paint?

[bludger]

Hi,

I shall have two half tins of paint left over when I've finished a painting job. I tin is McPhersons primer/undercoat and the other is Leyland fast-drying gloss. Both paints are water based.

What, please, is the best way of keeping the remaining paint in the tins and preventing deterioraton? I have some old oil-based gloss which is so heavily skinned over that it is practically unusable.

Paint is pretty dear now and I want to be economical if possible.

 

[joe-90]

Just make sure the lid of the tin is clean around the rim. WB paints often go off if left for too long, they smell musty.

 

[bludger]

Okay, Joe-90, I can see where you are coming from. Do you think that circles of plastic placed over the remaining paint would help to keep the paint fluid?

 

[Robbie uk]

If they are water based dont let the frost get to them as this will ruin the paint. So be careful if they are left in the shed over the winter. They can become mouldy and smelly if left for some time. The resins can rise to the surface also, but can usually be stirred back together.

 

[Magrah]

As a general point isn't it you need to ensure that the lid is air tight and the best way to do thsi is turn the tin upside down?

Heard that years ago, not tried it though!

 

[SaladFingers]

If you've somewhere to keep it indoors, do that, otherwise the cold weather from sheds etc will kill the paint.

 

[bludger]

Okay, so it's indoors for the winter and upside down at all times.

I'll check the paint next spring and will report back then.

Many thanks to all who posted.

 

[TheDec]

As said, remove any existing paint from the brim of the container, yet rather than store it upside down stretch a piece of cling film over the top before replacing the lid. storing upside down is a good option yet the pigment will with storage settle on the bottom of the container where although unseen, a skin can often form and can become agitated when the paint is again stirred.

Dec

 

[bludger]

Ok, will do. Thanks to TheDec