Proper Paint Storage Tips

In the next few weeks, we'll be bombarded by homes that are packed full of fabulous color. If you have any painting to do of your own, make sure you know the ins and outs of storing your colors correctly for later use. It's not hard, but would you believe us if we told you to — store it upside down?

That's right! The proper way to store paint is upside down! To start you'll want to take a piece of plastic wrap and cover the top of your open paint can. Make a tight seal and then place the lid to the can on top. Attach securely and flip your paint can over! Viola! The air will be kept at bay in a moderate temperature environment.

If you'd like to keep a small amount of paint on hand for touch ups, simply place a marble to a pint mason jar or baby food jar, add your paint and close the lid. It will limit air in the container and will help keep things stirred for easy use. Place a label on the outside of each container so you remember what the color is, what room it belongs in and what the numbers are if you have to recreate it again down the road!

Other helpful paint tips and tricks:
• Top 5 Pro Painting Tips
• How To: Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint
• How To: Paint a Concrete Floor
• The Paint Drip Tip

(via: How Stuff Works)
(Image: Flickr Membe DRB62 licensed for use under Creative Commons)

Comments (18)

The marble is such a good idea! I hadn't thought about sticking something in there to help with mixing.

I store my left over paint in plastic jars from Smart & Final - it's much neater than the paint cans!

Huh... But, if you cover it and thenflip it over, wouldn't the air stay trapped inside and just move to the bottom (now top) of the can?

Also, major pet peeve: Voila, not viola. Viola is a type of violin.

What happens if/when any paint seeps through and dries, effectively gluing the lid shut? Plastic wrap is so thin and weak, it wouldn't be able to stop the weight of seeping paint. Nonetheless, it would be a good idea to put saran wrap around the top on a can stored with the bottom... on bottom.

(To be über-pedantic, because I live in France and have an AZERTY keyboard, so I can, teehee, it's: voilà, with an accent grave. Mais oui ! :)

LOL...I hadn't noticed the viola/voila mistake until Tse Moana mentioned it. But I do feel compelled to say that a Viola is NOT a type of violin. It is a stringed instrument all of it's own unique type just like a cello is not a type of violin. I just wanted to make sure that you don't tick off all those wonderful viola players out there! I used to play viola when I was a child and I purposely chose it because it has a deeper, richer sound than the violin.

Before you start painting pop some holes (3-4), in the indented part of the cans top. This will allow any paint to drip back into the can instead of filling up or going over the sides. When done the replaced lid will cover the holes.

The only issue I found with storing your paint upside down is if the lid isn't fully secure... I learned this the hard way when I stored the fushcia paint I used for my bookcase (fortunately I live in Manhatten with very little space so my paint was stored under my bed, no one is the wise that there is a fuschia puddle under there...)

Erin
http://www.slipcoveryourlife.com

I've always thought you were supposed to transfer the leftover paint (assuming you have less than a gallon) to a plastic food dish. It's more space efficient and more sturdy than the bucket. Though I like the mason jar idea much better...

I like the mason jar idea better. Storing paint upside seems like you're just asking for trouble.

I used to get the mini paint cans from the Container Store, but they don't carry them anymore.

Paint should also never be stored directly on a concrete floor. In some areas (like in Toronto where I live) it can get cold enough on the basement or garage floor to freeze the paint in the can/jar which when it thaws, is no good.

i believe "viola" is used here as a colloquialism.

i like the idea of using a smaller container for the paint leftovers...

The way to prevent leakage with an upside down paint can is to use a rubber mallet to set the lid -- tap around the rim of the lid so that it seats solidly.

I recently used Benjamin Moore paint from 1995, stored in old spaghetti sauce jars. I just closed them and stuck them on the shelf - some right side up, some sideways - they're fine.

On one, I'm able to unscrew the top, on another, I'd need to ask a large man.

Fraise-- Et voilà, so can we all who remember the days of Ascii codes! ;-)

P.S. - I store all my leftover paint in those large plastic Folgers containers. It seems to be working well so far, hopefully the paint won't affect the plastic in some way or vice-versa.

I always understood that after you reseal the pot you should turn it briefly upsidedown so the paint forms an airtight seal around the inside of the lid, then tip it right side up and store it upright.