How to make leftover paint last?
Some of you may be kicking back and relaxing on the Thanksgiving long weekend, while others may take advantage of the extra time off to do some chores around the house. Painting is something many folks tackle on their own, but how do you make sure your leftover paint will won't spoil when you need it again?
Consumer Reports says if you store latex paint correctly, it can last years, and you can use it again for touch-ups or new projects.
“Here in our lab, we have paint that’s over 10 years old, and because we stored them properly, we can still use them,” said Rico De Paz, paint expert for Consumer Reports. “You only want to keep water from evaporating from the paint and keep microorganisms from getting into the can.”
Here’s how to keep it fresh, when to throw it out, and how to do that safely.
Creating an airtight seal is key. First, get all of the paint out of the channel where the lid locks in. A wet cloth wrapped around a flathead screwdriver gets the job done. Push it into the channel and drag it around the whole can several times. Then, gently hammer down the lid.
If you only have a small amount of paint left, it’s better to transfer it to a clean jar with a screw-on lid. Choose a container that’s not much bigger than the amount of paint you have to avoid extra exposure to air. It's recommended you label your paints by project so you know what they are without having to open the containers.
Store your paint out of direct sunlight, anywhere from 50 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit – 10 to 27 degrees Celsius. Extreme temperatures can ruin the paint, so avoid putting it where it can freeze or get too hot.
When it’s time to use that stored paint, try it out on a piece of cardboard first. It should go on easily and be uniform in color, smooth, and free of visible particles.
If you’re not sure about a can of paint, there are some signs to look out for, like a bulging can or puffed-up lid.
Paint that doesn’t mix well or has a rubberlike film on top probably needs to go. If you need to dispose of your old paint, take it to a proper recycling facility.
With files from Consumer Reports
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.