How Do You Store Half a Can of Topside Paint?

[Tugwit]

Originally Posted by CaptMarc

I've seen this advertised in the back of Wooden Boat Mag...

Purchase

Good Luck
MArc

I've successfully used this product (Bloxygen) to preserve partial cans of (expensive) varnish. It's basically Argon, an inert gas that's heavier than air and displaces the atmospheric Oxygen above stored paint that causes paint to skin over. It works great! (You can also use Argon from a MIG welding setup, if you have one.)

[pdenton]

IN THE DUMPSTER.
it just isn't worth the risk to save a few dollars worth of paint. No matter what trick you use a can of paint is a disaster waiting to happen. No matter what you do it can rust and more importantly might open when it is bounced around during heavy weather.
I'm very reluctant to bring a can of paint into the cabin even when painting, but then there is no option.
Buy as much as you think you need for a job, even though the smaller can is more expensive per quart.
pdenton

[zeehag]

you MUST have need for a painted surface somewhere in or on the boat. use it up then dispo the can.
the 15th coat is what makes the boat look yotty

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by belle-isle

I would add that it is important to open the can so as to damage it as little as possible so that it remains airtight, and then a good thing to do while storing it is to invert it, with the lid on the bottom. That way there will not be any way that the solvent can evaporate.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Inverting the can is an old wives tale. If the can lid does not seal, that may do something, but if the lid seals (as it should unless damaged or excess dry paint in the groove, which cause paint to leak out when inverter) inverting changes nothing.

The issue is that in a partial can of paint, the excess VOCs can leave the paint for the void in the can, causing the paint to cure on the surface.

(Inverting the can does put the skin on the bottom instead of the top, possible avoiding need for removal if careful, but the paint is compromised because some VOCs are lost.)

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by yenbad

why not pour it into a smaller container?

Paint stores sell empty paint cans very inexpensively in different sizes, I'd go that route.

[boeing1]

I use Bloxygen, has worked good for me,

[roverhi]

Originally Posted by yenbad

why not pour it into a smaller container?

Fine if you have a source of airtight containers. Wonder if bottled water containers would work?? Any reports on storing the can inverted. Would seem like a good idea as the skin would form on the bottom. When the skin forms on the top, it's a problem. When you break through the skin pieces break off, get on the brush, and mess up your
Paint job. Have tried the commercial paint preserver in a can without success. Can felt empty when I bought it and think it was.

[pdenton]

I agree. Use it up! What deck locker locker could not benefit from a new coat of paint.
pdenton

[adlib2]

Originally Posted by redhead

A friend needs to put aside the paint (Interlux) for a month while doing another project. Any ideas on how to do so without it drying? Saran won't work....

Sent from my SM-T550 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

TURN THE CAN UPSIDE DOWN: Any solids formed will then be on the bottom.

[jkindredpdx]

Maybe inverting the can is a wives tale, but I've been doing it with all nature of volatile oils, paint, putty, and other products and it seems to help.

Thanks y'all for the marbles and smaller container ideas, both seem worth trying.

[reed1v]

Originally Posted by Delancey

For one part paint a splash of the appropriate thinner on top usually will help it from skinning over in my experience.

Yup., just do not shake can once its on top. Wax or polypropylene cloth can also be used. With older paints, you can fill the can with nitrogen(close it quickly). Dry ice would also displace most of the oxygen. Of course one could just pour the rest into a smaller container.

[Scaramanga F25]

When I had significant leftover paint I went to an automotive paint supplier and poured the remainder in a new can of appropriate size.

It kept very well.

[thinwater]

Aluminum duct tape is good for lids that won't quire seal. Not gas permeable like other tapes.

A spare frig and put it in a freezer bag also helps.

[Ahneema]

Originally Posted by redhead

A friend needs to put aside the paint (Interlux) for a month while doing another project. Any ideas on how to do so without it drying? Saran won't work....

Sent from my SM-T550 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

I have found out the best way to store opened paint is in a mason jar. I have 1/2 gallon jars with paint in them. If you have to store on your boat...maybe a plastic container with a twist lid! Hope this helps!

[ImaginaryNumber]

Put your can of paint on a sheet of plastic. Draw/cut around the can to create a disc. Put the disc of sheet plastic inside on top of the paint.