Tips for Storing Leftover Paint

SPRAY-ON SEAL

To prevent a skin forming on a can of oilbased paint, spray a thin film of mineral turpentine over the surface before sealing the can. To apply the turpentine, put the solvent in a small cosmetics sprayer (a teaspoonful is enough to seal a 4-litre can of paint that is half empty).

MAKE YOUR MARK

Before you store paint, use a little of it to mark a line on the can at the level of the paint inside. The line will remind you what colour the paint is, and how much is left.

POUR AND STORE

Funnel leftover paint into clean 2-litre milk containers at the end of a job. You can see the colour of the paint through the plastic, and it’s easy to pour into a painting tray when you need it.

STORE LEFTOVERS IN JARS

A small amount of paint will keep better if you decant it into a jar with a screw-top lid. The less air in the jar, the better, so try to match the size of the jar to the amount of paint you’ll be storing. Rub petroleum jelly around the neck of the jar before pouring in the paint; then any that spills down the outside won’t make the lid stick fast.

LINE UP THE LID

When you open an old paint can that has been sealed up with dried paint, you’ll usually be left with paint-clogged surfaces on both the lid and rim. As a result, you’ll find it difficult to seal the can the next time. To make the task a bit easier, use a marker to draw a line across the lid and rim at two different places before you open the lid. Then when you go to replace the lid, simply align the marks.

USE PLASTIC WRAP

To prevent a skin forming on acrylic paint, cover the surface with plastic wrap, extending the plastic up until it can be sealed by the lid. This will reduce the surface area of the paint that is exposed to air inside the can.