Store leftover paint in a tightly closed can with as little air under the lid as possible, at +5 to +25 °C and never frozen. Before that, strain any paint you dipped tools into and clean the rim so the lid seals properly.
Why keep leftovers
After a renovation there is almost always half a can to several litres of paint left. It comes in handy for touching up chips, repairing a patch of wall after moving a socket or skirting board, and small decorative jobs. Paint from the same batch and tint matches the wall better than a new can, even one tinted to the same code.
To end up with less leftover paint, work out quantities in advance with the paint coverage calculator and read about coverage rates in paint consumption per m².
Step 1. Clean the paint before storing
If you dipped a brush or roller straight into the can, dust, filler particles and microorganisms got in. In water-based paint they cause spoilage: the paint develops a sharp, unpleasant smell and becomes unusable.
- Strain such paint through a paint strainer or nylon stocking before long-term storage.
- If you poured paint into a tray and the can contents stayed clean, no straining is needed.
Step 2. Seal the can
Oxygen under the lid starts oxidation and evaporation of the liquid base. A dense film, or skin, forms on the surface and cannot be dissolved back without spoiling the paint.
- Wipe paint out of the groove around the rim. Dried paint distorts the lid when you next open it and breaks the seal.
- Lay a piece of thick plastic film slightly larger than the opening over the can, then press the lid down.
- Close the lid by tapping gently with a rubber mallet without denting the rim.
- Turn the can upside down for 10–15 seconds, then back. The paint seals micro-gaps in the lid.
- Label the can: room, colour code, date.
If only 1–2 litres are left in a 10-litre bucket, pour the paint into a smaller glass or plastic container filled to the top. The smaller the air gap, the longer the paint keeps its consistency.
Step 3. Choose where to store it
The most common mistake is leaving paint over winter in an unheated garage, on a balcony or at a summer house.
Material type | Examples | How to store |
|---|---|---|
Water-based paints (acrylic, latex, silicone) | DIAMOND 2, EKOFARBA, SILIKON FASAD | +5…+35 °C, do not freeze |
Solvent-borne enamels and primer-enamels | Zahyst 3in1, DEKOLUX, DEKOMAL | Cool, dark place away from sun and heat sources |
Tinting pastes | Withstands frost down to -20 °C |
- Water-based paints such as DIAMOND 2 acrylic latex paint or EKOFARBA acrylic paint cannot take frost. The water turns to ice and breaks the polymer emulsion. After thawing the paint looks curdled and permanently loses adhesion.
- Solvent-borne products such as Zahyst 3in1 anti-corrosion primer-enamel must not be frozen either, and they do not like heat and direct sun, which can make them thicken.
- COLOR-MIX universal tinting paste withstands frost down to -20 °C, so it survives storage in an unheated space.
Do not keep cans of solvent-borne products in living rooms: even closed, they may smell. For clearing paint odour, see how to get rid of paint smell.
Shelf life
It is printed on the label and applies to the sealed factory container. For example, DEKOLUX alkyd-urethane enamel keeps for 24 months, and PROFI GRUNT and GRUNT EKO primers for 18 months. An opened and resealed can keeps for less, so use leftovers within the next season.
Checklist before reusing paint
- Inspect the surface. If there is a thin skin, lift it out in one piece. Never stir it in: lumps clog the roller and ruin the wall.
- Smell it. A rotten or sour smell from water-based paint means bacteria have grown. Do not use it in living spaces.
- Stir. Separation into liquid and a dense sediment after winter is normal. Mix with a drill paddle at low speed for 3–5 minutes. If the paint is smooth without grit or lumps, it is ready to use.
- Do a test patch somewhere inconspicuous and check the colour once dry.
Your tools also need preparing for storage; see how to clean brushes and rollers.
What you need
A paint strainer or nylon stocking, plastic film, a rubber mallet and a small container for decanting. Store paint in a warm, dry room, not on the balcony.
FAQ
How do I store an opened can of paint?
Clean the rim, cover the can with film, close the lid tightly and turn it upside down for 10–15 seconds. Store at +5…+35 °C.
Can water-based paint be stored in freezing temperatures?
No. After freezing, water-based paint separates into a curdled mass and loses adhesion.
How can I tell if paint has gone off?
A rotten or sour smell, lumps that will not stir out, or a solid mass instead of liquid. A thin skin on top can be removed and the paint used.
How long does opened paint keep?
Less than the shelf life on the label, which applies to sealed containers. Use leftovers within the next season.
