How To Store Paint Correctly

When it comes to industrial paint, it is important to go back to basics to ensure storage is performed correctly. One of the most simple pitfalls in regards professional painting is how to store paint.

Typically, most of the general public when asked tend to keep their excess paint within a garage or attic. But did you know that this isn’t suitable for all paint products? Promain’s technical team would like to explain the best practice of storage to help you get the most from your paint.

Tip One: Store Paint Indoors

Depending on the product and it’s manufacturer data sheet, most paint is required to be stored in a dry location indoors between 5°C and 35°C. Your metal tins should be kept from moisture to prevent rust. Plastic tubs need to be securely stored to prevent falls as tins can crack as they age. Tins and tubs should also be kept out of direct sunlight.

A good store space if possible is a cupboard under the stairs or a utility room. When it comes to garages, an integral garage is preferred due to it’s warmer temperature. A detached garage tends to be much cooler in winter and isn’t normally suitable. A shed is even worse due to the lack of protection from the cold. Attics on the other hand can become too hot in the summer months which can affect the paints quality.

Tip Two: Storing Specialist Paint

Many of our industrial paints are classed as hazardous. It is important to keep these products secure away from the reach of children and pets. You should also ensure paints are kept away from food products. Even if a tin has a small gap under the lid, solvents can contaminate food stored nearby.

To protect paints from skinning over, we recommend turning tins or tubs upside down. This should obviously be done when the lid is properly closed! This process causes a proper airtight seal to form protecting the product.

Tip Three: Storing Part Used Paints

Some specialised paints at manufacture have a nitrogen gas filled void in lieu of air. This inert gas helps prevent expansion and contraction of atmospheric air in the gap between the lid and paint. Nitrogen also preserves paint for longer depending on it’s formulation.

Some paints such will skin over if the air gap is significant. The solution is to decant the product into a smaller container. If you are decanting paints or coatings to smaller containers, remember to label the container correctly. We advise labelling with the date, product name, colour code and manufacturer.

Tip Four: Checking Shelf Life

Though most emulsions and acrylics can potentially last forever, it is recommended that a paints shelf life is at max 2 years. Depending on a paints formulation, some single pack products have a shelf life of only 6 months. If you have an epoxy coating though, the product cannot be stored after activated. These products have a short pot life to enable professionals to apply the product. After that time frame the product is unusable as it is cured. Higher ambient temperatures can also make the pot life shorter.

Before storing any paint make sure you throughly read your product safety data sheets. As usual if you have any questions in regards how to store paint, contact our technical team. We are available from 8.30 to 5.30pm weekdays on 01462 421333.

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