Storing paints in shed/garages....

[DIYNotIan]

Hi all

I was hoping for a bit of an explanation, as well as some advice for the future....

We did some painting a couple of years ago, using Crown Satinwood and Crown emulsion. When we recently got the remaining paint out for some new work, we found the paint had turned to porridge and was unusable. Probably due to frost from what I've read.

So I thought I'd have a clear out today and expected to find more of the same. To my surprise though, some other paint that I've had donkey's years was fine after a quick stir. Some were water based too.... However, another OB matt black paint I've had for several years had a thick skin like leather.

I cannot work out why some are ok and others not. So I wondered if anyone here can explain?

Also, for future reference (and especially now that I'm investing in some better paints from the likes of Zinsser and Sikkens) where is it best to store paints and is it different for different types of paint?

Cheers

Max

 

[jdpjamesp]

I store my paint in the loft as it's free from frost up there (in my house at least!!)

 

[DIYNotIan]

Good tip! An I'm sure it is colder where you are than it is in Norfolk!

Saying that though, we protect our pipes etc in the loft from freezing, so suffice to say it can get pretty darn cold up there. But is cold a problem for paints? Or is it JUST frost that causes problems?

 

[jdpjamesp]

I'm no expert, but the way I see it, water based paints have water in them. In the cold the water freezes. As a result the pigments and so on suspended in them as an emulsion get forced out leaving you with the problem you described.

So I put mine in the loft in a corner that's got lots of roof insulation around it anyway. If they freeze up there then tough.

The paints that didn't have the problem, were they maybe at the bottom of a pile, or in the middle of the pile? Could it be that the surrounding pots or other things insulated them from the cold?