Storing paint for safety
jenx
quite a few cans of latex paint, as well as some half-finished aerosol
spray paint.
What is the safest way to store these for later use? My options are in
the attic (gets very hot in summer), outside in plastic storage bins
with lids (again, gets very hot/cold), or in bathroom closet, near a
heating & air duct/pipe. I'm concerned about creating a fire hazard.
Would it be better to just dispose of all this paint? Thanks for any
help.
xieneverything
basil...@zotnet.net
>After completing a few projects at home, I seem to have accumulated
>quite a few cans of latex paint, as well as some half-finished aerosol
>spray paint.
Most aerosol paint cans will go loose their zip after they have been
open a while. If you have not already done so, turn the cans upside
down and spray to clear the nozzle and pick up tube of paint. Then
wipe down the nozzle with a rag and some paint thinner to clean it.
Otherwise you will have a non-functioning mess when you try an use the
cans next.
>
>What is the safest way to store these for later use? My options are in
>the attic (gets very hot in summer), outside in plastic storage bins
>with lids (again, gets very hot/cold), or in bathroom closet, near a
>heating & air duct/pipe. I'm concerned about creating a fire hazard.
Do not store anything flammable in your attic. This is asking for
trouble. It appears that you do not have a garage. So, it seems to me
the best spot would be in a labeled cardboard or plastic bin inside
one of your closets.
I store regular paint cans upside down. This seems to help keep the
paint longer. Perhaps the can seals more effectively in this position.
>
>Would it be better to just dispose of all this paint? Thanks for any
>help.
Do you ever intend to use it again? Paint does not generally spoil
other than drying out. If you protect against that, the regular paint
in cans should last indefinitely.
wayne
Wayne
"jenx" <xieneve...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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Mike Bales
> the attic (gets very hot in summer), outside in plastic storage bins
> with lids (again, gets very hot/cold), or in bathroom closet, near a
> heating & air duct/pipe. I'm concerned about creating a fire hazard.
Phisherman
Water-based paints can be safely stored without concern. Out fire
department recommends storing flammable liquids in a fake doghouse far
away from the house (our community prohibits backyard sheds). You
can call or visit your local fire department for good advice.
If you'd rather just throw it out, open the paint, let it dry, and
toss it in the trash. No fire hazard concerns.
RamblinOn
>If you'd rather just throw it out, open the paint, let it dry, and
>toss it in the trash. No fire hazard concerns.
>
>
If there is a substantial amount left in a can, some communities have
special recycling centers for turning in unused chemicals. You can also
pour latex paint into a trash container (with plastic trash bag) with
crumpled newspaper. It will dry out faster and be suitable for disposal
when city incinerates garbage.
JTM
> other than drying out. If you protect against that, the regular paint
> in cans should last indefinitely.
>
Any cites for this assertion? Lets see:
Latex paint is a fine dispersion of a pigmented latex rubber binder in water.
If it is allowed to freeze the latex droplets will come into contact and turn
the paint into a large blob of goo in a pool of clear water. This mess would
have to be run back through a sandmill to break the paint up enough to put it
back in suspension. It will also coagulate without freezing over time.
Drying oil type paints will also setup (crosslink) into a gelatinous mass over
time (accelerated by heat)
Ditto for epoxy type paints (even without mixing the curing agent).
Solvent type paints (lacquer, shellac) are probably the best bets for long term
storage, but even these will have the problem of pigments settling out and can
be very difficult to fully remix.
Regards,
John
jenx
to pitch the spray paint (cheap to buy another can/s if necessary for
touchups), and store the latex paint in the closet, the cans are full
enough so I know they'll keep pretty well.
RamblinOn
jenx wrote:
It might be better to empty into a plastic container that has a tight
seal. I've always had trouble with store paint cans that rust and get
bits of rust into the paint. Don't put off white paint in an old
mayonnaise jar; doesn't work :o)
Colbyt
"Phisherman" <nob...@noone.com> wrote in message
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To properly dispose of any non lead based (pre 1978) paint, spend a couple
of bucks, buy a bag of kitty litter, mix the paint and litter and allow it
to dry. It is now safe item for disposal in any trash container. I have
found that one of those cardboard flats that two 12 packs of your favorite
beverage are shipped in when inserted into a plastic trash bag with kitty
litter allows for the proper drying of a whole gallon of paint on a nice
warm day.
Please don't dump it down the drain.
Jimmy
can,put it in a note book and the next thime you need paint you can get it.
I keep a notebook with paint ,stains, roofing info, warranty info, all kinds
of stuff like this. I bought a house once and the owner gave me a notebook
with all this in it. This was a nice present to receive from the previous
owner. Whren I bought my current home I requested it from the builder as
part of the deal.
BAck to the subject, storing paint is a pain, It needs to be kept at room
temp and all kinds of things can go wrong. Just let some artistically
inclined kids find it.
"jenx" <xieneve...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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Jimmy
people in my neighborhood have done this. When the garbage truck picks them
up they are crushed and the paint drips on the street. What an ugly mess.
"Colbyt" <col...@lexkyweb.com> wrote in message
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basil...@zotnet.net
>> Do you ever intend to use it again? Paint does not generally spoil
>> other than drying out. If you protect against that, the regular paint
>> in cans should last indefinitely.
>>
>
>Any cites for this assertion?
35 years of experience with paint, oils, varnish, and general
maintenance of all types. We run a marine maintenance business in
total we have over 80 years of experience in the business.
5-year old latex paint properly stored against weather and temperature
extremes was pulled out and used to paint some new wood added at our
condo association. Naturally, one must store it to prevent temperature
swings. Turning the cans over regularly helps keep the stuff in
suspension. We have not had much difficulty. Of course, your mileage
may vary an it is undoubtedly better to use fresh paint. Nonetheless
it is possible to keep paint for a long long time.
Oil-based paints do seem to hold up better in storage.
We have kept boat bottom paint for a decade or more and it was still
good to go with a little stirring. At $150 per gallon or more it pays
to not waste any....
jenx
-- I thought of that too, but I'm afraid all the paint is in shades of
white, very boring for most kids I imagine, or great for aspiring
graffiti artists, which wouldn't be good.
I also keep a log of paint used in different rooms (names, brands,
chips, etc.), but in this case there was a lot of experimenting going
on and so no need to keep a record. I just hate the idea of waste,
which is why I didn't want to get rid of it all -- I'm just gonna let
the open cans of latex sit on the patio in the sun so they can dry out
thoroughly and then they'll be safe for the trash.
xien
"Jimmy" <Gfe...@carolina.rr.com> wrote in message news:<7VcDa.54905$jp.9...@twister.southeast.rr.com>...
JTM
<basil...@zotnet.net> wrote in message
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Protecting the paint from temperature extremes and agitating the paint
periodically should prolong the life of most paints, but who remembers to do
this? My experience with commercial painting involves epoxide type paints and
the great majority of times QA had a problem with the finish it was traceable to
paint that was not used in a timely manner. The painters were very experienced
and hated to admit the paint just was "bad". They would fiddle with viscosity
and air pressure and finally get it to go on but in side by side comparisons
with fresh paint it was clearly not the same.
The maker of the paint (Sherwin Williams) was often called in to trouble shoot
the finish problems and almost invariably the answer was old paint. We
regularly disposed of outdated and obsolete colored paint through local stores
and it was quickly snapped up by painters who were looking for a bargain and who
didn't care about the end results.
From Sherwin Willams See:
http://www.paintstore.com/drpaint/archives/shelflife.html
"Subject: Old paint
Question:
How long does paint in a gallon container last?
Answer:
Most architectural paints have a shelf life of 36 months, but you will also find
some industrial products with a 6 month shelf life. Check with your local paint
store for the shelf life of particular products. Shelf life usually refers to
storage in an unopened container at 77° F. Containers that have been opened or
stored at extreme high temperatures or allowed to freeze will have a much
shorter shelf life.
Subject: Alkyd shelf life
Question:
I'm trying to match a 15 to 20 year old alkyd paint job. I'm having trouble
matching the original paint (Dutch Boy, Wonsover, 412 Off-White, Interior,
Flat). But I still have an old can of the stuff -- 20 years old and probably 95%
full. Is it still useable? Or am I buying trouble? (And what kind of trouble?)
Answer:
I suggest you take a sample of the color to your local paint store and have them
match the color. I would not suggest using the old paint. You would probably be
able to apply the paint, but you'd have trouble getting it to dry, because after
that many years the dryers would have broken down."
Regularly rotating latex paint in the can (agitating) ought to help keep the
suspended particles of paint separated and help prevent them from coalescing
together but I would bet that 10 year old latex will have a higher viscosity
than fresh. It doesn't mean it can't be used but the finish will almost
certainly be different especially when compared side by side with new paint.
I've seen urethanes that were still liquid but were already beginning to
crosslink with the viscosity substantially greater than new. I could use it
but getting it to flow out smoothly was virtually impossible.
In my area you would have to store the paint in an airconditioned area to
protect it from the long hot summers.
Bottom line just because you can smear it on doesn't mean it is going to look or
perform very well.
Regards,
John
jeffc
> the attic (gets very hot in summer), outside in plastic storage bins
> with lids (again, gets very hot/cold), or in bathroom closet, near a
> heating & air duct/pipe. I'm concerned about creating a fire hazard.
>
> Would it be better to just dispose of all this paint? Thanks for any
Obviously if you dispose of it, it's not avaiable "for later use". Storing
in the bathroom closet is fine. Some storage tips that can be useful:
- take a breath and then blow slowly into the can before closing. This
displaces some oxygen which will age the paint.
- Use some plastic wrap when sealing the can back up. This helps seal for
the next step :-)
- Turn the gallon upside down. This makes homogenizing the paint easier
when you go to use it next time. Make sure there is no leakage.