Can of paint

[raammartin]

How long does a previously opened can of gloss paint last? We have a few cans of paint left from when our home was built 1 1/2 years ago and want to use them (if possible) to do some touch up work. Will they still be good?

 

[highland3]

It might be okay if it was well sealed when you put the lid on. Make sure to mix it REALLY well.

After a year and a half, your touch ups may just look better than the original paint.

Good luck!

 

[SplshMtn99]

Heck, we are still using cans from 12 yrs ago to do touch-ups. Just mix with a paint stick really well.

I dip a dixie cup in & take out just what I need. Then seal the can right back up.

I've heard of laying a layer of wax paper over the paint in the can to prevent a "skin" from forming. I've never done it though, & we've never had a "skin" form. So I don't know.

 

[kbkids]

I called Home Depot the other day asking just this question. We bought four gallons of paint 1 1/2 years ago to do my kids' bedrooms. Never got done, and now we're in the process of building another house, so I hate to waste my time on this house now. I called to see if paint would still be good for the new house since it would be about 2 1/2 years old then. She asked if it had been stored indoors (it has), and she said it should be fine for at least 3-4 years, especially since it had never been opened. She then added that she had just used some paint that her parents had used in 2001 to do a room at her house with no problems.

 

[raammartin]

Well, good then! Just the answers I wanted to hear. That saves us about $50. Thanks!