Painters in Overland Park: 3 Tips to Store Your Used Paint Cans

As professional painters in Overland Park, our team at Residential Solutions knows how easy it is to overestimate the amount of paint you need for a job. Maybe your coffee table didn’t need the biggest size can that the hardware store owned, and now you are left with a partially used can of paint.

An interior home painter in Overland Park might recommend keeping that can of paint instead of throwing it out; because you never know what you will need it for later. But for now, you might be asking yourself, “how do I store these half-used paint cans?” It’s a good question, and that’s where we come in to help.

Residential Solutions is a leader among house painters in Overland Park, and we have a lot of experience in safely storing partially used paint cans. As professional painters, we suggest:

• Storing your paint cans in a climate-controlled spot
• Downsizing cans if you can
• Safely and properly dispose of any old paint

Store Your Leftover Paint in a Climate-Controlled Spot in Your Home

Growing up, your parents might have stored leftover paint in the garage or shed; these are actually two of the worst places to store your leftover paint. The temperature in these two areas of your home fluctuates greatly when seasons change. Paint can become unbearably hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. Both of these conditions will negatively affect your paint.  

A professional residential painter in Overland Park might suggest storing your leftover paint in a place with milder temperatures, like an indoor storage closet. The darker and drier the space is, the longer your paint will last. However, it’s important to store the paint on a high shelf, out of children’s reach.

Transfer Your Leftover Paint to a Smaller Can

Gallon buckets are great for big projects and transporting your paint from the hardware store to your home. But leaving your paint in a gallon bucket can shorten its shelf life and leave you with multiple half-used gallons.

A trick used by professional painters to store their leftover paint is to move it to a smaller, air-tight container. This not only saves space but leaves less room for air buildup, which can cause your paint to expire more quickly.

Store your paint in clear containers with labels so you can easily see what color you are grabbing. Professional painters also suggest labeling the containers and storing them upside down to create an air-tight seal.

Safely Dispose of Any Old Paint

If the paint you’ve stored has turned lumpy, chunky, or developed a smell, it’s time to let it go.  Don’t just drop your old paint buckets in the nearest trash can and walk away; there are proper ways to dispose of old paint.

Pour cat litter or sand into the paint can; this soaks up the paint, then call a professional interior painter in Overland Park to come pick up the cans. Professional painters are properly trained in paint disposal and know how to dispose of old paint safely.

How Long Does Paint Last?

Different types of paint have different lifespans; however, proper storage can help prolong their shelf lives. The general rule of thumb is:

• Latex paint lasts between two to ten years
• Chalk paint lasts up to five years
• Oil-based paint lasts up to fifteen years
• Milk paint lasts up to a week

Are You Ready to Work with Some of the Top Painters in Overland Park?