Paints give great look to your walls, trims, ceiling, doors, cabinets and other surfaces. But do you know how long the paint may last long?

Sometimes when the paint job is over, the leftover paint is a problem. Questions arise about its long-lasting and required storage conditions for its last longing.

The main key is the storage condition, finding the proper storage would change the shelf life from months to years.

Let's take an example for latex paint if it has a proper seal pack right away from the store and has not been open then it may last decade. If the has a cracked seal, then dust may enter and would usually only some months.

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Types of paint and its life span

  1. Latex or Acrylic-latex based Paint: 2 to 10 years
  2. Oil-based Paint: 2 to 15 years
  3. Chalk Paint: 1 to 5 years
  4. Milk Paint: 1 to 7 years

1.) Latex or Acrylic Paints:

Latex or Acrylic paints have a lifespan of 2 to 10 years. Many Experts say that after 1 year of Latex paint, they have seen in the decrease in quality.

For more precisely we have to look at manufactures. They say that an unopen can may last long for 2 years.

Whereas, some professional painters of interior works claim that they have well preserved the paint for up to 10 years.

2.) Oil-based Paints:

Oil-based paints have more solvents dissolved than the latex paint. Paint manufactures say that it tends to long laster than water-based latex paints.

They have estimated that it may last longer than 15years if well preserved.

3.) Chalk Paints:

Manufactures say that Chalk Paints have a lifespan of 1-5years. The official estimate is about 1year.

Many say that it has a potential lifespan of up to 5years. The thickness of paint may develop faster than latex paints.

Later, you can revive the thickness of paint by adding water to it.

4.) Milk Paints:

Milk paint consists of milk proteins in it. Because of this, it may last longer up to a day or two. If kept in a refrigerator it may last longer than a week.

In addition, adding some addictives in it may last longer. It may last longer if it is in dry and in powdered form.

Signs That paint Have Gone Bad

1.) Rancid- or Sour-Smelling Paint:

This occurs due to bacterial growth in the paint. If the paint can is open and you have found some sharp smell like rancid, foul or sour, then the paint is gone bad.

Even if you still apply this paint, the smell wouldn't go off that easily.

2.) Paint Has Been Repeatedly Frozen and Thawed

If the Paint has been repeatedly Frozen and Thawed then the quality would be least. But experts say that the frozen paint after thawed can be applied unless there's no foul smell or it is not clumpy.

3.) Overly Lumpy Paint:

It is common and natural to develop a film on the top layer of the latex paints. But if the paint has been solidified for a long time then it's time to discard it.

Adding water to the solidified chunks paint cannot be dissolved.

4.) Jelly-like Paint:

The Problem with jelly-like paint is it doesn't mix well. It is just a balanced state between solid and liquid.