You want to store your paint in a shed, but you want to know what happens when the paint freezes. Did you forget your paint outside? Does your paint have a strange consistency?
We are passionate about this subject and know the answers to your questions:
In this article, you will discover:
- What happens when paint freezes?
- Can paint be used after freezing?
- Does paint get ruined when frozen ?
This topic will no longer hold any secrets for you. You will know exactly what decision to make after your paint has frozen.
How do I know if a paint has already frozen?
A well-preserved paint has a texture of cottage cheese covered with creamy water. Water-based paints freeze at the same temperature as water. Oil-based paint is a little different. Although oil-based paint also freezes, it does so at a much lower temperature than water-based paints.
Too low a temperature can permanently damage a paint. It will have a strange consistency (stringy, clumpy, curdled or like sandy water).
Can paint be used after freezing?
To find out if you can use a paint that has frozen, allow any spillage to thaw completely. Once this is done, stir it with a paint stirrer. If the consistency looks the same as a paint that has not frozen, then you can probably use it.
If after mixing, the texture remains stringy and clumpy, it is no longer usable and should be discarded.
Some practical tips for storing paint
A large variation in temperature is detrimental to the quality and rendering of the paint. It is recommended to store your paint between 15 and 24°C. However, a too fast variation of the temperature can still alter its quality. Ideally, you should keep your paint between 19 and 20°C.
Moreover, buying paint from a specialized store guarantees that you will acquire paint that can withstand low temperatures more easily.
Below you will find a list of 4 tips to follow to store your paint:
- Keep the paint in its original container: Contrary to what many may think, paint will keep better if left in its original container. Do not transfer it to glass jars or food containers.
- Avoid mixing paint with another: Mixing two colors to make a new one is not a good idea. Different paints have different components, so mixing them to keep them in the same can is not a good idea.
- Prevent air contact: To prevent air from entering your container, remove excess paint from the rims of your container and the grooves of your lid with a cloth as this residue may prevent your jar from sealing.
- Store your containers upside down in a dry place away from the cold: Once closed securely, turn your container upside down on its lid. This trick will prevent a dry film from forming on the surface of your paint. Instead, it will be at the bottom of the container when you need to use it again.
Choose your paint safely
As you know, paint that has frozen can still be used under certain conditions. If the consistency of the paint remains strange after thawing, it is unusable.
With all this information, you now have all the information you need to make the right decision; whether or not to use a paint that has frozen.
