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Thread ID: 117253	2011-04-10 00:29:00	Using old housepaint	Tony (4941)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1193268	2011-04-10 00:29:00	Can any housepainters out there help me? I've been told that acrylic exterior paint only has a container life of about a couple of years, after which it is no longer useable (for what reason I don't know). Is this urban myth, or are there hard facts to support it?	Tony (4941)
1193269	2011-04-10 00:49:00	Use it for old houses ;)	R2x1 (4628)
1193270	2011-04-10 01:00:00	While I am not a painter Tony, I have never heard of paint having a limited shelf life. I suggest that you mix it, try some out on a flat surface, and see what happens. If it is 'off' it should be obvious, as it will be lumpy or pigments will have clumped or somesuch. Thin sparingly with water if it is too thick to a usual brushing consistency, about that of thick cream. By the way a painter once told me that you can't apply acrylic too thick, meaning put on a good thick coat, while avoiding 'runs'. Just give it a go. :2cents:	Richard (739)
1193271	2011-04-10 01:14:00	With acrylic paint in tins rather than plastic pails, the water will cause the lid and the inside to rust in time and spoil the paint. Otherwise I've always assumed it lasts "forever".	Terry Porritt (14)
1193272	2011-04-10 01:21:00	Richard, Terry, I've always assumed it is effectively everlasting too - especially in plastic pails . I was given the info by a professional housepainter, who had no vested interest in actually selling me paint, so I'm prepared to give it some credence . It would be nice to get some more confirmation/rebuttal though .	Tony (4941)
1193273	2011-04-10 01:21:00	as long as it doesn't smell "bad" - acrylic paint can get a mildew growth after a long time. also - it can't handle being somewhere it's exposed to frost/freezing etc - it will appear ok but will begin to "fall of the wall" after a short period of time	bevy121 (117)
1193274	2011-04-10 01:24:00	Can any housepainters out there help me? I've been told that acrylic exterior paint only has a container life of about a couple of years, after which it is no longer useable (for what reason I don't know). Is this urban myth, or are there hard facts to support it? Not a problem but it will need a very good stir and as someone else mentioned if it is in a can it will end up with rust in it which will discolour the paint.	mikebartnz (21)
1193275	2011-04-10 01:33:00	The paint I am thinking about is in plastic pails and has been stored in a cool dry place at a pretty constant temperature. It certainly doesn't smell bad. I'm tempted to use it, but the bit I want to paint is right by the front door and it will be embarrassingly obvious if problems start to develop. I've done a couple of searches, and seen some references that say it has a life of 5-7 years. They don't say what happens if you use it when it is too old. The stuff I want to use is nearly 10 years old.	Tony (4941)
1193276	2011-04-10 02:19:00	The paint I am thinking about is in plastic pails and has been stored in a cool dry place at a pretty constant temperature. It certainly doesn't smell bad. I'm tempted to use it, but the bit I want to paint is right by the front door and it will be embarrassingly obvious if problems start to develop. I've done a couple of searches, and seen some references that say it has a life of 5-7 years. They don't say what happens if you use it when it is too old. The stuff I want to use is nearly 10 years old. I've used plenty of old paint of indeterminate years and as long as you stir it thoroughly it is not a problem. I assume it is basically free as against a hundred odd dollars so it is a no brainer.	mikebartnz (21)
1193277	2011-04-10 02:34:00	I too have used much old acrylkic paint without problems, but I recently had to dump two old pails of acrylic because it looked like it had sand in it and even after much stirring by mechanical means it remained that way. In my experience, if you can paint it on and it dries to the right finish in an approriate time, all is well. Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
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