Long term paint can storage

[Susie]

I just had to open a 9-10 year old paint can this week, to touch up patches in our guest room.  When the bathroom was reno'ed, we had some nails pop through since the two rooms share a wall.  Predictably, the paint can was a hot mess, and just opening the lid rained rust bits down all over the paint.  I stirred it up, let the rust sink, and was able to get enough to fix the little spots, so I don't need to repaint the wall/room right now.  But it was a close call re: whether to put the can back in the basement or toss.  Unfortunately the can is half full, and is the color of both our office and guest room.  A lot of useful paint ruined.

9-10 years is on the long side I guess, but I have a lot of other rooms that have been painted the same color just as long and are still good to go.  I'd like to be able to touch them up as needed, but all my paint cans keep getting rusty or otherwise going bad.  I even have trouble with it sometimes with our trim paint before we've used it all up.  (Trim painting has been a years-ongoing project.)

For a brief while, SW used screw top gallons like these:

which I loved.  No rust, and it was easy to close them tightly.  I needed a damn vice to open once they'd been used, but I could deal with that.  I think they discontinued them because contractors were not in favor, and possibly due to challenges with disposing of them?  I have one for each of a couple colors in my house, and whenever I need to buy more of that color I pour it into my screw top container and pitch the new gallon!  Not a scalable solution though.

After SW dropped the screw top, they used one like this, and maybe they still do for some paints:

Basically the usual style, but plastic instead of metal.  They don't rust, but they also don't close well so paint dries out.

So that leaves the traditional metal style, and those get so rusty on me that it renders the paint unusable.  My basement isn't all that damp, and they're up on shelving, not on the floor.

Is it just not possible to keep paint cans like I'm trying to?  Or is there something I'm not doing that would help them store better?  How do you do it?

[mrs.jacinthe]

Saran wrap over the top before you close it, close extremely thoroughly (trust me on this, says the person with shellac-based primer stains on natural stone in the living room), and store them upside down.

[momin2013]

My parents store all their leftover paint in mason jars; they record the room, brand, and colour name on each.

I think this is a brilliant idea but I have yet to do it.

eta: they keep them away from light, in a dark spot under the stairs.

[munkii]

You can buy the plastic containers in 1-qt sizes from Menard's online.

www.menards.com/main/paint/brushes-rollers-trays/paint-trays-buckets/dutch-boy-reg-original-twist-pour-trade-1-qt-paint-container/1-dbempqt/p-1444429365818.htm

[Susie]

All great ideas, my paint collection thanks you!

[lys]

I have used the mason jar routine successfully --- but be aware that if the paint is many years old, it may not perfectly match the paint that is on the wall that has been exposed to air, hand prints, dust etc. To avoid a mis-match touch up - - pour a small amount of old paint in a plastic bowl, add a few drops of water and stir - then paint in a small test area and let dry. If it is a good match - go for it.
IF you want to re-use the original paint can try this: Prior to pouring any paint out of the can or using the paint straight out of the can --- fold strips of tin foil over the top edges of the can. When finished painting , remove the tin foil and close with lid. No paint is trapped - so no future issues. I hammer the lids to make sure they are securely closed and then store upside down.

[sakura]

Here’s a trick that my grandpa taught my mom and my mom taught me- on a regular paint can take a flat head screwdriver and a hammer and tap a hole or two into the valley of the rim. The paint will drain through the hole and won’t collect in the rim. When you put the lid on, the holes will be covered and you’ll get a good seal because the paint won’t gunk up the rim.

[k3am]

They also sell a plastic pour spout you can attach to your can to keep it from collecting in the rim.