Where do you store your paint?

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:07 pm

Last year I lost a new tin of Leyland paint due to frost in my shed. Someone on here told me

If it looks like cheese it's had a freeze

I normally keep my paint/emulsion in my lockup and considered building a large box and insulating it with some Rockwool. I'm just wondering if this is the best option? I can store them in my attic but rather I keep them in my lockup if I can.

aeromech3 · Post by **aeromech3** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:35 pm

Insulation only slows the cooling of contents, if the surrounding temperature is sub zero for long enough the paint will reach that temperature. I used to keep potatoes in deep cloches, so I assume a cellar is more suitable to store paint (as well as wine).

Rorschach · Post by **Rorschach** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:55 pm

I keep mine in the house, somewhere where I know it gets colds but never drops to freezing. Insulation is useless without some form of heating. You could make a heated box using a 100W lightbulb and thermostat but easier to stick it at the back of a cupboard in the house.

Tom d'Angler · Post by **Tom d'Angler** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 6:42 pm

Rorschach wrote: ↑Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:55 pm I keep mine in the house,

Same, much to Mrs d'A's annoyance

London mike 61 · Post by **London mike 61** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 6:47 pm

I keep mine in the garage , although it’s cold it never freezes in there.

Mike

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 7:44 pm

Problem is I have about ten 20L tubs.

In the attic is is then.

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 7:45 pm

Problem is I have about ten 20L tubs.

In the attic it is then.

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 7:46 pm

Phone playing up

Puma · Post by **Puma** » Sun Dec 12, 2021 8:34 pm

You can use low wattage cat mat heaters about 20w so it will be about 15 pence per 50 hours of usage and combine it with a thermostatic plug controller so it just switches on at about 5 degrees. Obviously make some sort of box or heap of blankets or whatever to keep the heat in.

Croker · Post by **Croker** » Sun Dec 12, 2021 10:04 pm

I keep mine in our utility room which I have more or less taken over for the purpose of storing my gear. Only the washer and tumble drier intrude!

Problem is there’s no heating in there and it does get very cold in winter. Haven’t had any paint problems yet, but I’m sure all my power tool batteries (also kept in there) seem to need charging more often in the winter. Haven’t done any scientific checks or anything like that, it’s just a gut feeling.

Nos · Post by **Nos** » Mon Dec 13, 2021 7:43 am

Don't forget paint is very inflammable, be very afraid were you store it.

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Mon Dec 13, 2021 8:32 am

I keep water based in the garage which gets cold but probably not freezing to any degree and i've had no problems. Oil based is stored in a shed and again no problems. Indeed i've been tidying the garage and used a tin of pea green paint that was at least 40 years old and had been in the shed or a shed for that time to paint the floor with and a tin of blue gloss that was probably the same age to paint a gate with. Both worked like fresh paint.
A few years ago i left a tub of fenceguard outside and it froze solid. Once thawed it seemed to seperate with a watery layer on top. Being a tightwad and not wanting to throw it away i left it in the greenhouse with the top off. The water evaporated leaving a creamy deposit that painted onto timber just fine.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Dec 13, 2021 8:33 am

Nos wrote: ↑Mon Dec 13, 2021 7:43 amDon't forget paint is very inflammable, be very afraid were you store it.

It's also flammable

(Funny thing the English language)

Thing is that paint itself does not burn easily if at all, it is the solvent that is in the paint that has to be considered, if he is using water based paints, no problem.
It's the solvent vapour that is cause for concern, so, so long as the tubs are closed and sealed no problem.
Most solvents have to get to 100 degrees F (Around 38 degrees C) to ignite, I believe the worry is keeping them above 0 degrees C