Mixing old half paint together...

berries

Hello peps

Just wondering if anyone has done this and it's turned out Ok?? The other I became a rat skip in would of been my mum's terms if she was she alive bless her I do miss telling her of my finds!! I had permission to go though a neighbour skip which had loads of tins paint some not even used!! Plus a lot of white Matt paint too.

I have done a sample of each pot on paper. Some are a bit hit and miss on my taste just hoping that I can blend it into something that can be used. I hate waste of anything plus I've only moved into my house in March which every room needs some tic.

I know you can't mix a oil based with a water one as it would cured. Is there anything 5i need to beware of before attempted it. Also where is the best place to get a plastic tub to mix it in or would a rubber tub be Ok??

Thanks

Ebe_Scrooge

I'm struggling to understand your post, but I think you're asking if you can mix 2 different paints together ? The answer is generally yes, as long as they're the same type - for instance, if you mix blue emulsion with white emulsion, you'll end up with a lighter shade of blue. As you say, you can't mix oil-based with water-based.


Just be aware - if you mix up a batch then run out halfway through doing a room, you're a bit snookered. There's no way you'll ever be able to mix up another batch that'll be exactly the same shade.


In terms of a mixing vessel, the simplest is to ask around to see if anyone has an old 10-litre "trade emulsion" type plastic pot they're chucking out ( if you happen to know a decorator, so much the better ). Give it a good clean and Bob's your uncle

esmy

Yes you can, I've done it lots of times. Try not to mix different finishes (eg matt/silk), start with the lighter colour and add the darker one gradually, when you have a colour you like test it on plain paper as can dry darker/lighter than it looks, mix very very well and make sure you have enough to finish the job. I always keep a bit back in a jam jar for touch ups because you'll never match it! HTH

EachPenny

Also just be aware that if the tins have come from a shed or garage clear out and are very old then there is a risk that the odd tin might contain lead, and obviously shouldn't be used.

I've found a couple of tins which are beautiful colours of previously never opened paint in apparently perfect condition... but with 'contains lead' printed on the side

Tom99

Or a £1 bucket from the pound shop. Try to filter out any 'bits' that are floating in the paint particularly if it is a part used tin and give your new paint a very good stir.