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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.