www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Hi,
how long does emulsion/water based paint is good for after opening? I am talking about paint for interior walls and ceilings.
Considering the fact it is kept properly closed and left in a cool dark place?
I saw an article on internet that it is good for up to 6 months. Sounds very short...

What tends to happen is it can smell eggy in the room once painted. I used some Johnstones Covaplus I had, unopened for a couple of years. It went on fine and was a good white but I did notice an eggy smell in the room after. Fortunately, it was summer and it soon dissipated with ventilation but the smell hung around for 6 months or so I recall it becoming less and less over time. I have never used old stuff since. Have a good sniff and make a decision.

DWD

@dewalt, a little riddle for you
did the smell actually go away or as the "fabreez ad" says, you became nose blind.
Because you are so used to it, you now don't notice it?

No, it did go over a summer. It was not too intense, just a prevailing eggy smell in the rooms I used the old paint in. It gradually dissipated to nothing but that was a couple of months from memory. I have not used old emulsion since but I had bought 3 ten litre pots on a special deal on offer at Johnstones which left me with old paint to up. I think I still have one left, that will go to the paint recycling bin at the tip.

DWD

Never encountered a lingering smell, paint can last several years as long as it doesn't get frosted. Well sealed in a container with no spillage round the lid, air-tight.

I've recently had occasion to use some emulsion that's been in my outside boiler cupboard, where I store my paint, for at least 4 or 5 years. I got it cheap back then because it was a colour that had been mixed specially for someone who rejected it and so wasn't a repeatable colour. When my tenant moved out, I only needed to touch up one wall and it was fine.