If you have done some painting before, you know that there’s a high chance that you will have leftover paint. Most of the time, people have no idea what to do with the extra paint. It’s either they store them until forgotten or simply dispose of them.
Now that spring is in the air, it is expected that people will buy a handful of paint for their houses when they do renovations and spring cleaning. If you are one of these people, you might be wondering how to make sure that you have just enough paint. It is a rule of thumb that it is safer to have more than enough paint rather than have less. Besides, there are a ton of projects you can do where you can upcycle your leftover paint.
How Long Does Paint Last?
Does paint go bad? This is a question that often comes to mind when it comes to storing paint. Technically, paint does not go bad, also there is no actual gauge on how long is paint good for. Depending on how you manage its storage, leftover paint can last for a relatively long time – months, and some can even take years. The most common type of paint used in household restorations and retouches is latex paint.
Latex paint can last for years if stored properly. Make sure to put the lid correctly and store it in an area that is not exposed to extreme temperatures. However, when the can of your latex-based paint bulges, it means that the paint has gone bad, and you need to get rid of it.
In contrast to latex paint, acrylic paint hardens the moment it gets exposed to air. This is because acrylic paints are quick to dry in mere minutes. However, if you keep acrylic paints covered, they can still be used for months to come.
What to Do With Leftover Paint
Clueless about what to do with leftover paint? Well, there is plenty of art, restoration, and upcycling projects you can do using leftover paint. The next time you have a can of surplus paints, do the following:
1. Make chalkboard paint.
Give your kitchen a cafe vibe, or give the kids’ room a space where they can write on walls by creating chalkboard paint. It is quite easy to make a chalkboard wall with excess paint.
Combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of water in a mixing bowl to create a paste.
Add 2 ounces of the leftover paint into the paste and mix thoroughly. The chalkboard paint has to be smooth; that is why it is necessary to stir until you get a consistent texture.
Paint it on the chosen surface. To achieve the right effect, make sure to paint on a smooth wall. Apply at least 2 coats of chalkboard paint.
2. Create accent walls.
An accent wall is a popular trend in interior design where part of an interior or exterior wall has a different color. Accent walls gained popularity because of how easily anyone can personalize them. The sky is the limit when painting accent walls, and having paint leftovers on hand can easily make them possible.
Unleash your creativity by painting patterns for your accent wall and experimenting with colors.
3. Paint baseboards and trims.
For some of us, painting our houses with a uniform paint color might be the easiest and safest way to go. But having a uniform paint color should not always be the case. If you have extra paint, use this to paint baseboards, trims, and other accents in the structure to give that added dimension and splash of color for the eyes. Door frames and windowsills can also benefit from your excess paints.
4. Design doors.
Use your paints to make your doors look exciting. Our doors don’t always have to be formal. A colorful door can provide a break from the monotony of uniformed walls and windows. If you have multiple rooms – especially when you have kids – try coloring each door of the room differently depending on the number of excess paints you have.
5. Upcycle old furniture.
If you’re looking to buy new furniture, consider dropping by a nearby thrift store or secondhand furniture shop. Give old furniture a new life by upcycling them using your leftover paint. Look for design inspirations with the same color palette as the paint you have leftover. Not only does this save you money on new furniture, this also allows you to unleash your creativity. You can even make this into a family activity.
6. Create murals.
Unleash your artistic side by creating a mural on an empty wall using your excess paints. It does not have to be perfect. Just paint whatever brings you happiness and let it be the centerpiece of the room.
Paint on a canvas or tapestry instead if you don’t want to paint directly on walls. Hang the canvas or tapestry in the middle of a wall to add an element to an otherwise empty wall.
7. Design flower pots.
Take your excess paints to the garden and add color to your planters and containers. Indoor flower pots can also add to the aesthetics if you paint them with bright or pastel colors.
Painted pots will surely add charm to your succulent collection and can be a fun bonding activity with friends and family.
How to Dispose of Leftover Paint
How long does paint stay good? Unfortunately, there is no specific timeframe. In case you get to a point where you can no longer use your leftover paint, or you find it hardened and unusable, it is important to dispose of it properly.
Disposing of leftover paint irresponsibly can lead to water contamination and soil poisoning. Both of which are hazardous to human health.
1. Let the paint fully dry.
Before disposing of your surplus paints, make sure that it is fully dry, especially if you are using latex-based paints like enamel. Leave out the paint under the sun and let it dry for the whole day. You may also add kitty litter and old newspapers to help absorb the wet paint.
By the time the paint dries, you can now mix it with the rest of your household trash and wait for the trash collector to pick it up. Be mindful of the rules and regulations about trash collection. There are cities that do not allow dried-up paint to be included.
2. Donate the paints.
The best way to dispose of paints is to give them to paint disposal facilities or give them to paint stores, where they can do recycling. You can also donate the paints to organizations that are responsible for building alternative housing services.
How to Store Paint Properly
Does paint go bad? Perhaps before you arrive at this question, it’s best to avoid having paint wastes instead. It is important that you have an idea of how to store excess paint properly. If you’re able to store leftover paint properly, you won’t ever have to ask: how long does paint last? Here are some tips on how to store paint properly for future use:
1. Seal the can properly.
More often than not, the cause of paint hardening is its exposure to air. The best way to store paint is to make sure that the cover of the paint can is properly hinged when resealing it.
Use a hammer to make sure that the lid is tightly sealed. Afterwhich, you can place the paint anywhere.
2. Check the room temperature.
If you are putting your excess paint in a storage area, make sure that the temperature is reasonable. Too much heat can also trigger hardening. Set the room temperature accordingly and read the label regarding how to store paint.
3. Calculate the amount of paint.
Avoid having excess paints by doing a precise calculation of the amount of paint needed. Most paint stores nowadays offer a calculator, where you can place the dimensions of the room, and it will give you the size and amount of paint needed in return.
Jeff Schultz Painting Can Help You Avoid Leftover Paint
While leftover paint can be recycled and upcycled, it’s always a great option to have your house professionally painted instead. With a professional on the paint job, you won’t ever have to ask: does paint go bad?
Jeff Schultz Painting is your best choice among the house painters in Sarasota, FL. Professional residential painters can work on your house according to schedule. You can also be sure that you will no longer worry about cleaning up afterward.
If you are in need of professional residential painters, hit us up with a query!
