Storing half full paint can

[1949 caddyman]

I got a gal. of latex paint that is 1/2 full. I know it will skim dry on top. Will adding a small amount of water on top of the paint help to keep it from drying out? My other option is to get 2 new qt. Cans to store it in.

 

[sawduststeve]

Store it up side down. Make sure the lid's on tight though.

Steve.

 

[gungatim]

what I do as well, upside down. you can put saran wrap under the lid to help get a better seal. sometimes with small cans, especially polyurethane, I will exhale into the can a few times to purge some of the air and replace with co2...probably doesn't do much but supposedly getting rid of the air keeps it from skimming over. have also heard you can put a layer of plastic directly on top of the paint to keep it from skimming as well...never tried it but would probably lose as much paint pulling the plastic off as pulling off the dried layer...

 

[PCustoms]

I only store mine half empty, so can't help you here.

 

[CJ7VFR]

I only store mine half empty, so can't help you here.

Pessimist....

Jim

 

[engineer2]

I save my empty Dutch Boy plastic gallons. They are pretty easy to clean out and seal a lot easier than metal cans. You can buy new ones that are empty too.

 

[Homebody]

I've stored dozens of em over the years - skimming is a thing of the past. Haven't seen paint do that in 10+ years.

 

[rburke65]

I have lots of partial gallons of paint on hand and reguardless of how well I clean the rim or attempt to reseal the can, 99 out of a 100 are skimmed over.

 

[6PTsocket]

While not useful for water solvent paints (latex), there is a product for preserving other types of paint, that use petroleum based solvents. It is called Bloxygen. It is an aerosol containing pure Argon, an inert gas that is in the air we breathe. You shoot a puff into the open can and cap it. Since it is heavier than air it just lays like a blanket over the paint and keeps the air out. No drying up, no skin.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[My Old Tools]

Or blow up a balloon and stick it in the can before you seal it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Get two 1 qt cans. It will keep better long term.

 

[malibu101]

While not useful for water solvent paints (latex), there is a product for preserving other types of paint, that use petroleum based solvents. It is called Bloxygen. It is an aerosol containing pure Argon, an inert gas that is in the air we breathe. You shoot a puff into the open can and cap it. Since it is heavier than air it just lays like a blanket over the paint and keeps the air out. No drying up, no skin.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I've heard of this and have tried it. Not something store-bought but I have argon for aluminum MIG welding and have blown it into paint cans before sealing the lid.
Thing is, I can't really say if it works.
Why, by the time I need some touch up paint the wife wants a different color.
I'd think cheaper nitrogen would serve the same purpose but I don't have that gas.

Oxygen can do nothing good for stored paint. Period.
Will eliminating oxygen help? I don't know but it can't hurt.

 

[slip knot]

I just toss it unless I've got a specific job for it. Almost anytime I try and save paint it goes to **** on me, or the can rusts out or it wont dry or,or,or.

just too much aggravation for what little latex paint costs.

 

[Marctrees]

I would simply put saran type wrap on the wet paint, And saran wrap on top loosely, then tap down lid.

I have nooo idea if it's the ultimate method, but for damn sure it will be wayyyyyy better than just putting it up wo any plastic anywhere.

As far as the post saying the plastic on the paint will "pull up", meaning waste some paint.

Well gee, how about just wiping off that bulk w a brush, roller, whatever you're gonna use?

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

I just toss it unless I've got a specific job for it. Almost anytime I try and save paint it goes to **** on me, or the can rusts out or it wont dry or,or,or.

just too much aggravation for what little latex paint costs.

Only thing is, it's good to save not so much to save the money, but to have the original stuff for patching, also color matching recipe on label from mixer, etc. Marc

 

[Marctrees]

Can will rust in time as said above.... so....

For long term, although not really accessible, pour into vac sealer bags and toss out can???

Just askin, could be a mess.

But IF it could be done, w/o a disaster, could be great for long term storage.

For that matter, actually, the vacuum was dumb...same end result - Freezer duty heavy Ziplock bag, purged of all or at least most air, put gently in a coffee can for physical protection.

Maybe double bag, cause for very long term, that plastic is more permeable than most realize.

Ya, I like that best of all.

Marc

 

[DCarr2]

As a professional Painting contractor, i offer this for storing paint:

1) do not let it freeze or its junk.
2) cleean the rim as best you can to ensure the lid is firmly seated. If not, buy a plastic can.

3) store in cool, dry place.

4) you will get a good 5 years, maybe 10 before rust becomes a problem.
5) even quarts will rust.

Now that, thats out of the way, for the rest of you:

Pour from the BACK of the can. Why? because every paint can has the exact same directions. whats more important is knowing what is in the can. and if you pour down the front you cant read what the label says....

 

[A_Pmech]

Use a stir stick to cut the skin off the can. Fish skin from paint. Carry on.

 

[RVDan]

Pour it in a ziplock bag

 

[gungatim]

As a professional Painting contractor, i offer this for storing paint:

1) do not let it freeze or its junk.
2) cleean the rim as best you can to ensure the lid is firmly seated. If not, buy a plastic can.

3) store in cool, dry place.

4) you will get a good 5 years, maybe 10 before rust becomes a problem.
5) even quarts will rust.

Now that, thats out of the way, for the rest of you:

Pour from the BACK of the can. Why? because every paint can has the exact same directions. whats more important is knowing what is in the can. and if you pour down the front you cant read what the label says....

good tips!

when I had my rental houses, I bought a dozen of these plastic pour spouts that snap on the rim of the can. made pouring a breeze and no mess in the rim. they were cheap, I think I paid $2 for all of them at a flea market. no idea who made them or if they are even still available but I still have a few of them since they clean right up.

 

[ford fanatic]

good tips!

when I had my rental houses, I bought a dozen of these plastic pour spouts that snap on the rim of the can. made pouring a breeze and no mess in the rim. they were cheap, I think I paid $2 for all of them at a flea market. no idea who made them or if they are even still available but I still have a few of them since they clean right up.

This. These pour spouts work like a charm, makes opening and closing the can so much cleaner. My OCD would never let me spill paint down the side of the can lol.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

Only thing is, it's good to save not so much to save the money, but to have the original stuff for patching, also color matching recipe on label from mixer, etc. Marc

I throw out paint as well but i paint the lid with the color and save that to color match the paint since i can just bring the lid in if need to color match but all the walls in my home are small so we use the need to patch to freshen up the whole room with a new color anyhow


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bwringer]

Buy quality paint. Be gentle with the lid so it doesn't bend or wrinkle. Clean the rim before tapping the lid into place. Store in the back of a closet in the house so it stays dry and doesn't freeze. It'll likely be fine for 10 years at least.

 

[1967rsss]

If I can't keep extra paint I think I may need in the can, I dump the paint in labeled mason jars. Seems to keep longer than crinkled cans and doesn't skim over...

 

[rburke65]

Yes I have even tried the mason jars, but it doesn't really help in my opinion.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Get two 1 qt cans. It will keep better long term.

Empty ones to be used for storage or when you initially buy the paint? Most of the time 2 quarts costs almost the same as a gallon...


Tommy

 

[4x4_G30_Sportvan]

Most latex paint these days comes in a plastic can, just the lid is still steel. I would add a bit of water slowly over the top, and then place lid on snug.

 

[DCarr2]

Ben Moore and Sherwin williams still use steel cans. PPG/Glidden has the plastic cans..


Home Depot/behr and Lowes/Valspar may come in plastic cans, but their paint is complete garbage. The can its sold in is worth more than the actual product.