Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips > Painting, Finishing and Care.

Storage of mixed (or thinned) paints

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dpbarry:
Hi all..

Can you or is it advisable to store mixed (or thinned) paint between one job and the next.

By that I mean, if I make up smallish quantity (around 125ml) of thinned paint for small items, can I store this thinned paint in a sealed container and use it at a later stage without having to do anything other that stirring it up and maybe adding a bit of tinners as necessary.

Regards

Declan

maninthestreet:
AFAIK, this should be ok - we're talking about enamel paints, I assume?

John R Haynes:
the best way to store paint is NOT to thin. Mix up the paint in a reasonable quantity and leave the bulk of it stored  in an unused paint tin supplied by Squires. Decant enough paint for the immediate job and use this during painting/spraying , only open the stored paint if you run out . Thinned paint will crust over quickly.

Doc:
Declan,
It depends on how long between uses.  Short time shouldn't be a problem.  Longer times might be.  I've kept paint thinned.  Had to add some more thinnner to make it usable again, but not ~that~ long between uses (month or less?).  That's for brushed paints.  For spray types I have no idea.  Save it.  If it doesn't work out, then you'll know next time.
 - 'Doc

Thats a lot of help, isn't it?

Dave Leishman:
An old tip from the home DIY arena is to store used pots or containers of paint upside down (make sure the lid is tight!) and the skin will form 'under' the paint where the air bubble is. To use it again, just turn it the right way up and carefully open the lid (the paint will be right to the brim) - as the skin is beneath the paint there's no problem with breaking it and getting lumps in the paint.

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