Oil based paints have a shelf life of anywhere from 2 to 15 years. Depending how well it was sealed and stored. One of the best ways to tell if your stored paint has gone bad is to test it on a piece of board or timber. If lumping occurs it could be that chunky sized bits of paint have formed despite a vigorous stir.
Yes, old paints can be used. If paint cans are properly sealed, the paint can be used for varying lengths of time. Oil-based paints, especially, can last for years. Normally, old cans of oil paint develope a skin on the top of the paint. Just carefully remove that skin and thoroughly stir the paint.
Rub the wall with paper towel or a cotton ball soaked in acetone, or nail polish remover that contains acetone. If the paint comes off on to the cotton ball, it's latex. If not, it's oil.
Leftover Paint: Use it Up!
Paint stays good for a long time: oil-based paint for up to 15 years and latex paint for 10 years. Generally, paint that mixes smoothly when stirred can still be used.
Unfortunately there isn't any way to reconstitute dry oil paint. Watercolor, yes, oils, no. This is because the drying of oils is actually not strictly a ``drying'' process that can be reversed. It is a chemical change (oxidation) of the linseed oil that the paint was made with.
Oil based paints have a shelf life of anywhere from 2 to 15 years. Depending how well it was sealed and stored. One of the best ways to tell if your stored paint has gone bad is to test it on a piece of board or timber. If lumping occurs it could be that chunky sized bits of paint have formed despite a vigorous stir.
You can tell paint has gone bad by the smell and texture. A rancid or sour-smelling paint means your paint has gone bad. In particular, the smell of bad paint is similar to sour milk. Other indicators of expired paint include a lumpy or chunky paint consistency.
Oil-based paints are no longer legal in Virginia and five other states. This is because oil paints create a ton of pollution, both in the air and in the ground. They have a lot of toxic fumes that make them dangerous to be around before they dry, especially for the painting contractors who use them.
It can go rancid, causing your paint to smell different. You'll find that oil paint has quite a strong and distinctive scent, but if it starts to smell off, that's probably a sign that it's gone bad.
You can also use alcohol to determine whether you have oil or latex-based paint. Start by cleaning the surface of the painted area thoroughly. We suggest using a solution of laundry or cleaning detergent with warm water.
The glossy surface of oil-based paints makes it so difficult for any other paint to bond. That's why, if you apply water-based paint straight to oil-based, it will flake and crack as the water-based paint pulls away. So, to get oil-based ready to paint over, you need to take away a lot of that gloss.
Wipe the surface with acetone-free nail polish remover and if any colour comes off, this indicates it is latex paint. TEST IT: Wipe the surface with acetone-free nail polish remover and if nothing comes off, this indicates it is oil paint.
Open cans of paint don't last as long, but if the can is sealed after painting and stored in a cool, dry location, such as a heated garage or a basement, the paint can last for years. On average, paint lasts about ten years before it needs to be tossed, although some paint products may last up to fifteen years.
Oil-based paints should go to a household hazardous waste collection site.
Oil-based paint lasts up to 15 years in an unopened, sealed can or up to 10 years after opening the can if it's properly sealed.
As Moon mentioned, water-based paints have improved greatly and are much more durable, so the need for oil-based paint is virtually nonexistent. Because water-based is now the industry standard, there's a much wider range of products and colors.
Oil-based paint contains pigments and petroleum products that can be dangerous to humans and the environment. The vapors from oil-based paint can be especially noxious. Those who are routinely exposed to paint vapors are more likely to develop respiratory problems, liver and kidney damage, and other serious ailments.
Oil-based paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including known carcinogens like benzene, released into the air as you use them.
Although the bacteria that grow in paints aren't going to be ingested, they break down the compounds in your paint, making it less adherent and leading to streaks and peeling.
Aside from consistency or texture, another way to know if the paint's gone bad is just to smell it! If it smells unpleasant or you see mold, you will need to discard it (correctly). And, yes, mold can grow inside a paint can and be a serious health hazard if you put it up on your walls.
Not only can expired paint smell bad, but it could also irritate your skin, nose, eyes, and throat, so it's best to toss it out. If your paint doesn't smell but has an unusual consistency, it can also make your home's paint look like an eyesore.
Use special solvents: there are special solvents for oil paints that help restore a dried-out tube. Simply apply a small amount of solvent to the top of the tube and leave it for a while. Then, gently mix the paint with the solvent using a knife or brush.
How to get an oil-based paint to dry. After taking care to protect any unpainted surfaces, spray some white spirit onto any parts that don't seem to be drying. The white spirit should provide the oil-based paint with the solvent it requires to dry.