[kp11364]

Is it generally too warm to store opened cans of house paint in the garage?

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by kp11364

Is it generally too warm to store opened cans of house paint in the garage?

I have some open cans and have been thinking the same. I am thinking of keeping them in the laundry room which is inside (AC'd) in our CYV. I just can't imagine 95 to 100 F is good for paint.

But, to be honest I don't know. Probably best to just dispose of it, and get new - that is my plan B

[kp11364]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

I have some open cans and have been thinking the same. I am thinking of keeping them in the laundry room which is inside (AC'd) in our CYV. I just can't imagine 95 to 100 F is good for paint.

But, to be honest I don't know. Probably best to just dispose of it, and get new - that is my plan B

It's generally a good idea to keep the paint since different lots always have slightly different colors and as paint ages, it does change color slightly. Having the same age paint in the container as on the wall almost usually guarantees a perfect match for touchups.

[Garywt]

We have paint under the kitchen sink. That is where the builder left it and we have not had a reason to move it.

[mtdjed]

I have stored paint in my garage for years. I have found that it ages better in a container more equal in size to the volume of paint remaining and having a screw top.

[retiredguy123]

My builder's touch-up paint was stored in the kitchen, and it all dried out. No matter where you store the paint, if you keep it in a metal can, it can either dry out, or, the can will rust and the paint will leak. So, I wouldn't store it in a kitchen cabinet. But, I don't think the garage is too warm if you use air tight containers.

I found that the builder used "Florida Paints" on my house. There is a Florida Paint store on Wedgewood Lane where they will sell you the paint for your house using your Villages ID card to match the colors.

[jswirs]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

I have stored paint in my garage for years. I have found that it ages better in a container more equal in size to the volume of paint remaining and having a screw top.

This is correct, and if the paint is water based, make sure the container you use is plastic, NOT metal.

The paint manufacturers use the theory of "planned obsolesce". Instead of using plastic cans, they insist on using metal, which will eventually rust, ruin the paint, and cause folks to buy new paint. This has been a pet peeve of mine for years.

[sdeikenberry]

So if you take some plastic wrap, fold it over a couple times, lay it over the can opening, put on the lid, and tamp it down the paint will last years and years in the can. Lost of moisture and air invading is what ruins stored paint. I've been doing this trick for a long time and have found stored paint is just like new when reopened for touch-ups. It also helps to keep the lid and the can rim clean before sealing it up again.

[Stu from NYC]

When we moved in excess paint was stores by hvac unit. Someday we will open it and find it is garbage.

[MrFlorida]

Move to a smaller container, air is the enemy here.

[Jimmay]

Seal them securely and store upside down, write on the bottom what rooms that color was used for.

[n8xwb]

Couple of years ago I began storing my excess housepaint ( generally latex) in glass canning jars. I keep them in the garage and it has worked very well. Of course you must be cautious and not drop/break one.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Jimmay

Seal them securely and store upside down, write on the bottom what rooms that color was used for.

Why upside down?

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by kp11364

Is it generally too warm to store opened cans of house paint in the garage?

I have roughly 12-14 gallon size cans (various levels) in my garage left over from jobs, for the last 7 years. Have not had an issue.

[retiredguy123]

No matter where you store paint or other liquids, I would suggest putting the cans inside a plastic bin, so that, if the paint container rusts out or otherwise leaks, you will not have a mess to clean up. I learned that the hard way in Virginia when a gallon metal paint can rusted and leaked paint all over the basement floor.