6 Tips For Storing Leftover Paint & Shelf Life

With your painting project finished and your clean-up nearly complete, a common question may come to mind: How do I store leftover paint?

A woman holding a gallon of paint preparing to paint a wall.

Paint storage is an important step in the clean-up process, especially if you’re considering reusing your paint in the future. Reusing leftover paint makes any touch-ups or new painting projects more efficient and economical. Read on for advice on how to store and reuse leftover paint.

6 Things to Know about Storing Leftover Paint and Shelf Life

1. Where to Store Leftover Paint

Store leftover paint in a dry place that is out of direct sunlight. Paint should be stored out of reach of children and away from food and drink. Most types of leftover latex paint, including AURA^®, REGAL^® and ben^®, should be stored either in a lined metal can to prevent rust, or a glass or plastic container.

Helpful Tip: If you’re not using the original paint can, your storage container should not be much bigger than the amount of paint that is left to limit air exposure.

2. At What Temperature Should You Store Paint?

The temperature for storing paint should be between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15-27 Celsius).

Helpful Tip: Consider the climate you live in when storing paint in the garage—make sure it doesn’t freeze.

3. How to Properly Reseal a Paint Can Lid

The number one rule in resealing a paint can is that the lid should always be put back on immediately. Be sure to clean the edge or rim of both the can and the lid to get the best seal possible. To achieve an air-tight seal, place a piece of plastic wrap between the lid and the opening of the paint can. For best results, close the can by using a rubber mallet to tap around the edges of the lid until it is firmly closed.

4. How Long Does Opened Paint Last?

Once opened, most paint products, including Benjamin Moore, have a shelf life of two years. Considerations include environment, temperature fluctuations and other variables. When using Benjamin Moore® products, check the product’s Technical Data Sheet for specific details on storage temperatures.

5. How to Store Paint During a Project

If you’re in the middle of a project and need to take a break for a while, you can easily store paint for the short term (i.e., a few days or a week). Just be sure to reseal the can immediately and keep the paint in a temperate environment and not exposed to direct sunlight.

6. How to Determine If Paint Can No Longer Be Used

The main indicators that paint can no longer be used are smell and consistency.

Smell: Paint that is beyond its shelf life can smell sour and strong.
Consistency: Even after stirring, there should not be any chunks in or jelly-like texture to the paint—it should be smooth.

Using paint that has exceeded its shelf life may cause a lingering sour smell and inconsistent texture. If you suspect paint is past its prime, make sure you dispose of paint safely.

Helpful Tip: If paint has not yet hit the two-year mark (or slightly longer with proper storage techniques), has no strong odor (no rotting egg smell), and has a smooth consistency, then it should still be good to use!

Reusing your paint and painting tools? Make sure you properly clean and store paint brushes and rollers to make them last from project to project. Visit your local Benjamin Moore^® retailer for help with all your painting needs, and find more tips in our How-To section.

Helpful Tip

To make touch-ups much easier and more accurate, label the can and/or the back of a light switch in a room you’ve painted with:

• Brand of Paint
• Color
• Type or Product Name
• Sheen/Finish
• Where/What You’ve Painted (room, wall, piece of furniture, etc.)

Pro Tip Spotlight:

Want to reuse your painting tools? Proper storage of paint rollers and brushes during or in between projects is also important.

• If you’re in the middle of a project, store roller covers or paintbrushes you haven’t cleaned by wrapping them in clear plastic wrap to eliminate the paint from being exposed to air. This is recommended for a maximum period of two days.

• If it’s going to be a longer period of time before you’ll use your painting tools again, you can wrap them in clear plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator. This is recommended for a maximum period of one week. When you remove your painting tools from the refrigerator, allow them to warm up to room temperature before use.

Pro Tip Spotlight:

Want to reuse your painting tools? Proper storage of paint rollers and brushes during or in between projects is also important

• If you’re in the middle of a project, store roller covers or paintbrushes you haven’t cleaned by wrapping them in clear plastic wrap to eliminate the paint from being exposed to air. This is recommended for a maximum period of two days.

• If it’s going to be a longer period of time before you’ll use your painting tools again, you can wrap them in clear plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator. This is recommended for a maximum period of one week. When you remove your painting tools from the refrigerator, allow them to warm up to room temperature before use.