Millions of gallons of paint go to waste every year, often because it wasn't put away properly. Here's how to make sure the leftover cans from your home projects stay fresh and ready for future touch-ups.
Photo by Elsie esq..
While storing paint properly might not be the most glamorous trick in the DIYer's toolkit, it saves money and keeps good paint—often the last match for rare colors—from going to waste. The key to proper paint storage is keeping the paint in a properly sealed container and away from excessive temperature swings. For maximum shelf life, according to the National Paint and Coatings Association, you should:
1. Cover the opening of the paint can with plastic wrap.
2. Put the lid on securely and make sure it doesn't leak.
3. Turn the can upside down to allow the paint to create its own seal.
4. Store the can upside down in a place that's safe from freezing and out of reach of children and pets.
Another great way to minimize wasted paint is to calculate the amount of paint you'll need for a project in advance to buy just the right amount.
If you have leftover paint and want to store some for touch-ups but you've got barely enough to fill the bottom of the can, you can store it in a smaller container with a marble to minimize air exposure. Have a painting or paint storage trick to share? Sound off in the comments.