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[KathyPet]

We had the entire interior of our house painted in jan 2007 when we moved here. We had left over paint from all the colors that's I wanted for touch ups. I poured the paint into canning jars and then wrapped white stretch plumbers tape around the can lids. wrote the color name and # on the lid in black magic marker. Needed to use two colors today for the first time. That paint is as fresh as the day I poured it in the jars. Shook it a little. No lumps, no skim coat on the top. In perfect condition.

[GCR18]

I'll have to try it. I have cans if paint purchased between 2006-2010 that are likely bad. I opened one that was bad, so I assume the rest are bad. I need to open them and weed out the bad ones. I've always stored paint in the can.

[PiperCub]

You can store left over paint in the can the "lazy" way, which is to put a piece of plastic wrap right on the paint, then close the lid and hammer tight like you normally would. When you need the paint for a touch-up, it is messier than nice, tidy, well-marked jars, but if you're careful when you pull up the plastic wrap the paint itself will be fine. You can also store leftover joint compound (in case you need to fill in holes made by picture hooks, etc.) this same way. In THIS house, I'm the "nice, tidy, well-marked jars" person and husband is the "piece of plastic on top and I'm out the door" person!

[Mary Bailey]

I have my leftover paint in little Rubermaid containers, labeled as you do KathyPet. I keep them in walk-in closet so they are easy to get and no extreme tempertures.

[pattypeep]

I use plastic coffee cans and write on the lids what is inside. Keeps the paint very fresh.

[IamMrsG]

On 2/1/2014 graycatsrule said:

I'll have to try it. I have cans if paint purchased between 2006-2010 that are likely bad. I opened one that was bad, so I assume the rest are bad. I need to open them and weed out the bad ones. I've always stored paint in the can.

Do not automatically assume 'bad' paint cannot be saved. Besides new, empty cans, you can buy at the hardware store a strainer specifically for paint. It is a white, mesh 'cap' (think shower cap) that fits over the rim of the old can. Then pour the old paint into the new can, straining out any solids and/or impurities. The beauty of the cap is that it can be washed and saved for the next can.

[GCR18]

On 2/1/2014 IamMrsG said:

On 2/1/2014 graycatsrule said:

I'll have to try it. I have cans if paint purchased between 2006-2010 that are likely bad. I opened one that was bad, so I assume the rest are bad. I need to open them and weed out the bad ones. I've always stored paint in the can.

Do not automatically assume 'bad' paint cannot be saved. Besides new, empty cans, you can buy at the hardware store a strainer specifically for paint. It is a white, mesh 'cap' (think shower cap) that fits over the rim of the old can. Then pour the old paint into the new can, straining out any solids and/or impurities. The beauty of the cap is that it can be washed and saved for the next can.

I've painted quite a bit over the years and knew the paint wasn't right. I took it to the paint store and they confirmed.

[ID2]

Of course the paint store would tell you that your paint was bad. They want to make a sale!!!

[Abrowneyegirl]

Additional tip: (from someone who has 13+ paint colors in her house)

When I buy the paint from SW I always have them print a second ""ingredient label"" with the exact color formula listed.

I also keep an extra paint chip

In whatever storage container I use (depending on amount left) I attach:

~the ingredient label

~the paint chip

~the room(s) the paint was used in

[Azcowgirl]

Great idea. I love how space saving that is, compared to keeping the big paint cans stored.