Does Paint Expire? (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to use expired paint? ›

Expired paint may not perform as intended, and using it can lead to various issues, such as poor coverage, inconsistent color, and failure to adhere. Additionally, if the paint has been contaminated with mold, bacteria, or other harmful substances, using it can be a health hazard.

Once opened water-based acrylic or latex paint can stay good for up to 10 years when properly stored in a cool, dry room in your home. The same applies to water-based primers that are stored and sealed properly.

An unopened can of latex paint lasts an average of 10 years, while unopened cans of oil-based paint last up to 15 years. However, used cans of paint go bad much faster and may only last for one to two years.

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.

Oil-based paints can go bad, but it will take more than a decade. In fact, an unopened oil-based paint can last up to 15 years, which is five years longer than most latex paint.

Thankfully, expired paint isn't as big of a deal as something like expired food, and it doesn't go bad overnight, but it can still have negative impacts on your results, from uneven color to flecks of already-dry pigment that cause unsightly texture.

Mix the paint with a paint stirrer for five minutes or longer. Try brushing the paint onto cardboard to test it out. If the paint can be applied smoothly, then it is still usable. If the paint comes out grainy or lumpy and cannot be stirred out after several minutes, then the paint needs to be tossed.

It's always a good idea to save some leftover paint, whether it's for touch-ups or a small paint project. But if you don't store it properly, years later—when hallway walls, exterior doors, or window casings need a little TLC—you might find that it has deteriorated beyond the point of being able to use it.

Linseed Oil Paint can last 50 to 100 years with minimal maintenance. Maintain with the Purified Organic Boiled Linseed Oil and the Linseed Oil Wax. The last coat will work as the sacrificial coat.

How long until paint is safe? ›

Keep windows wide-open, as weather permits, for about 2 to 3 days after painting to avoid unwanted exposure to paint vapors (and to return to acceptable indoor air quality).

If your paint doesn't have a spoiled odor or consistency, you can use it for touchups or new projects—though it may not result in a perfect finished product. "The product might be too thick to apply, and not flow and level to an even finish," says Edrosa. Skinning is another concern with older paint.

If the existing paint is in good condition, with small spots, stains, and damage, and there is not much difference between the type and color of the new and old paint, you can repaint the walls without removing the whole paint.

However, touch-ups are tricky. Most times the paint will not match unless you have the original paint. That's why Walla Painting suggests you keep the paint we use after we do your project. Even if you buy the same brand of paint with the same shade and hue a few years later, it may not match completely.

If your paint doesn't have a spoiled odor or consistency, you can use it for touchups or new projects—though it may not result in a perfect finished product. "The product might be too thick to apply, and not flow and level to an even finish," says Edrosa. Skinning is another concern with older paint.

This can be done by taking it to a drop off point at a local recycling centre, run by the local authority. Please check for opening times and whether there are any restrictions such as resident permits needed. To find out if there is drop off point near you, type your postcode into the search box below.

“While it doesn't have a fixed expiration date like food, its quality can deteriorate, making it less effective and potentially unusable,” says David Sutter, president of Five Star Painting, a Neighborly company.