Paint Expiry Dates

shiraz99

Does paint, in particular water based paint have an expiry date? I have an old tin of Dulux satinwood thats been sitting in a cupboard for over 5 years, it has been opened and was wondering if it can still be used and give the same results.

MikeJXE

No idea but being in a cupboard means it hasn't frozen

i have used old paint from the garage that probably has 

10 minutes do a wall then wait and see 

Bigphil1474

I've used paint that has been stored in our cellar that's been down there for 15 years or more. I never throw a half used tin of paint away. If it's been sealed and stored okay, should only need a good mix and you're good to go. Depends what you are using it for though - if it's an undercoat or prime coat, then should be fine (as above, give it a go). If it's for the final finish, you might end up having to buy something else if it's no good, but worth trying and seeing how it turns out.

plumb1_2

When storing paint, always best to have the tin upside down.

MorningcoffeeIV

But do put the lid on first.

stuart45

Clean the rim and lid first, and put some thin plastic over the top before sticking the lid back on if storing for a while.

twopenny

I've used old oil based gloss paint but water based can go off.

First have a sniff. It's smells disgusting if it has. It also looks odd.

I tried using some old waterbased paint that had gone off and the smell remained on the wall and was a mess until several coats of the new.

chrisw

If it's gone off, it will smell horrible and probably have separated. If it has a creamy consistency with a thin layer of liquid on top it can usually be stirred in ok, but once it's gone off, it goes like jelly or lumpy and won't mix.

JohnB47

A long time ago I used some emulsion  paint that I had stored for around three years. I stirred it and it went on ok but soon it started to flake really badly.

I had to scrape it off and start again with new stuff. It was a very tedious job.

I decided then that using old paint was a false economy.

Let's face it, compared to paying a decorator (who I'm sure works hard and deserves paying for it) the cost of the actual paint is minimal.

Eldi_Dos

As a aside, when buying paint it is worthwhile checking manufacture date, some of the ones on the shelves in big sheds can be quite old.

Mutton_Geoff

How much do you value your time prepping then decorating? Saving a few bob by using old paint is false economy vs the risk of having to redo the whole job.

Paint is OK in a full tin for years but it's the air in half empty tins that will have caused it to get a skin, go lumpy etc.