Sealed interior paint can last for up to 15 years for alkyd and oil-based paints, a little longer than the estimated 10-year shelf life of latex paints and water-based acrylic paints. Of course, this range is impacted by factors, such as the type of paint used, the paint’s shelf life, the temperature extremes your house endures, and whether or not it is sealed.
Type of Paint
These are the average expiration dates for the following interior paints. Their lifespan varies depending on other factors, such as proper storage and climate conditions:
- Alkyd and Oil Based Paint: 2 to 15 years
- Latex Paint: 2 to 10 years
- Water-based Acrylic Paint:
- Chalk Paint: 1 to 5 years
- Milk Paint: 1 to 7 days mixed from powder, 1 to 2 years if premixed in a can
Factors Affecting Shelf Life
The most crucial factor affecting your interior paint’s shelf life is your region’s climate. You must store your paint in a sealed container in a cool and dry place. Extremely hot and cold temperatures will negatively affect your paint’s shelf life. The garage is a bad storage place for paint cans, as this area is subject to extreme temperature changes.
The following will impact the shelf life of your interior paint:
- High or Low-Temperature Extremes
- Quality of the Paint
- Freezing Paint
- Unsealed Can
Signs Your Paint Has Gone Bad
While it can be hard to tell with certainty if your paint has gone off from only one or two of these signs, there are tests you can try. To test if your paint is still good to use, try some out on a piece of cardboard. Examine it for an even and uniform colour before applying it to your walls and check that its application goes on smoothly.
These are the signs that your paint has expired or been improperly stored:
- Bulging or puffed lid
- Thick film at top of the can or lumps
- Doesn’t mix evenly
- The Colour isn’t uniform
- Doesn’t stay uniform 10-15 minutes after mixing
- Rancid smell
- Has been repeatedly frozen or thawed
Shelf Life of Leftover Paint
It might surprise you to know that opened and used paint is still usable even years later. Leftover paints can last for years if properly stored and vary depending on the type of paint used.
They may develop a thick skin at the top of the can, because of air exposure, but this does not necessarily mean the paint has gone off. Simply remove this film from the can and see if you can blend the rest of the paint smoothly. If you can, then you’re in luck – your paint is still usable.
How to Preserve Paint Longer
It’s a good idea to label leftover pain with dates and what they were used for so you don’t have to guess if it’s expired if it’s twenty years old. Labelling its usage will also help you know if the colour will match a certain room.
These tips will extend the life of your interior paint so you can reuse them for a fresh coat :
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Prevent paint from reaching freezing point
- Avoid high or low-temperature extremes
- Remove impurities
- Prevent rust with sealed plastic containers
- Place plastic wrap underneath the lid and hammer it into place
A good paint job starts with good quality paint. Make home improvement easier by ensuring your paint lasts up to its full potential. The easiest way to ensure your paint is fresh and evenly applied is to hire a professional.
Following these guidelines will ensure you have the freshest, longest-lasting interior paint for your next home renovation. Contact us at Grand Painting today for a free no-obligation quote and colour consultation. We’re a painting company that offers a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee and a 5-year workmanship guarantee.
Grand Painting Sydney are your go-to interior house painting services. Call 1300 272 468
