Trick ideas for paint storage containers that are in it for the long run?

[tomplum]

Inevitably that paint can that you kept clean had to be reopened and the lid just doesn't fit quite right or there is a 1/4 of a can or something that you don't want to waste. We had painted the house this fall, so I probably want to get the remaining house paint out of the bucket, trim cans possibly condensed as well. Just opened an interior paint can from last fall and I know this lid isn't in it for the long term storage. What do you use for the best storage container solutions for both latex and Rustoleum / oil paints? Thanks to the member before too that mentioned dropping brushes even used for oils in water for these continuing projects. Works great!

 

[doneill127]

I’ve had good luck putting plastic wrap over the top before putting the cover back on. Reopened cans 2+ years and still ok.

 

[Industrial Toys]

For starters, take punch and punch holes in the bottom of the lip where the lid goes down into. This will allow most of the paint to drain back into the can and make seating the lid much more likely.

Sometimes I put leftover paint into jars that you can fill to the top to avoid air.

 

[Big Barn]

If you have a mig or tig welder shoot your inert shielding gas in before putting the lid on.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Store the paint upside down. It makes it easier to mix and it keeps air from seeping in.

In general I find long-term storage of paint a fool's game. Yeah, it's handy when you just need a teaspoon to touch something up. But it doesn't store that well and after a few years it probably won't match the original anyway.

 

[jaxs]

Normally I pour paint from factory can into cutting pot then immediately swip paint from rim of can and lid with brush and apply it on project. Follow that with quick wipe with rag before sealing lid. Both oil and water base paints dated and stored in climate controlled area between 40f and 80f. If I anticipate shortly needing touch-up,I fill and label 1/2 pint,pint or quart jars. I often batch partial cans of white togeather to reduce number of cans stored then use as first coat on select jobs. I've stored paint up to 5 years with vert few problems . "Back in the day",when extra and partial cans of various colors started getting out of hand,they were "boxed" in 5 gallon buckets labeled 1 of 3/4/5 or 6,,2 of 3/4/5/and so forth plus "FHA Grey" mm/dd/yy.

As somene said above,storing paint to touch up later can be a hassel. Good paint stores can computer match any color on earth,even those that have faded or yellowed. Use box knife to remove swatch of drywall paper or carry a piece of trim in.

 

[MossRoad]

They sell empty, clean, plastic paint cans in quart and gallon sizes at most paint stores, Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, etc...

 

[sixdogs]

Store the paint upside down. It makes it easier to mix and it keeps air from seeping in.

In general I find long-term storage of paint a fool's game. Yeah, it's handy when you just need a teaspoon to touch something up. But it doesn't store that well and after a few years it probably won't match the original anyway.

Storing upside down is the only way that works and that's for a year or so. But it does work great and I spray old paint like that all the time.

 

[tomplum]

I may need to invest in some cans and start over here. The inert gas thing seems kinda trick I'd say! The reopening of the old cans seems to be the problem for me. SOme rainy day I'll evaluate what I need to keep, re can them if necessary, give them a shot of argon and turn them upside down. Keep the ideas coming!