Simple paint storage solutions

It’s super handy to have a can of leftover paint stored away in case you need to do touch ups or further renovations. Luckily, Resene paint can last for years with the correct storage and care. 

First things first: Remember to label your can of paint. Chances are you won’t remember whether it was Resene Alabaster or Resene Merino that you used on your walls. Over time, many decorators forget exactly which colour they used where in their homes, particularly if they chose colours from the Resene Whites and Neutrals collection or if the label has worn away over time. 

If you’re a Resene DIY cardholder, your paint purchase records will often be linked to your account, so you can often ask a Resene ColorShop staff member to look up details of previous orders. But an even easier way is to use a permanent marker to write the paint colour name and where you used it in the house on each paint can.

“It’s also good to mark on the side of the can the level of the paint so you don’t have to take the lid off to check how much is left,” says Resene paint expert Jay Sharples.

On that note, make sure the lid of the paint can is on firmly before storing it away, as an open lid increases the chances of your paint forming a skin. Use a rubber mallet to seal the lid tightly. 

While your garage or shed might seem like the obvious place to store leftover paint, small uninsulated spaces can heat up and cool down quite quickly which can affect the longevity of the paint. Paint is best stored around 15-20°C and out of direct sunlight.  Too hot and you can start to cook your paint which will lead it to start skinning faster.

“It’s best not to store paints directly on a concrete floor as big temperature changes can affect the paint quite quickly,” adds Jay. “I’d suggest storing the paint on a shelf, but be careful there are no sharp objects on the shelf that could pierce the bottom of the tin. It sounds simple but I’ve seen it done many times.”

Keep it clean

Ever wondered why professional painters decant their Resene paint from its original can into a paint pot? This is to reduce the amount of contaminants that get into the paint. Paintbrushes and rollers can leave bristles, dust and spider webs in the paint, which can lead to bacterial contamination. While the paint is made with biocides in it to protect it against bacterial contamination, if the paint is stored for a long period, the contamination can start to take over, much like you might see with yoghurt in your fridge. 

“Paint that’s gone off smells terrible, and it’s best not to use it. If you’re not sure, bring it into your local Resene ColorShop and they’ll check it for you,” says Jay. “I’ve had customers bring in paint which is 10-15 years old and with a quick strain, it’s good to use. I’ve had other customers bring in paint that’s only a few years old and it’s already off. It’s all about how it was cared for and stored.”

If you have leftover or expired paint, bring in your cans and pails to a Resene PaintWise Collection Centre, located at selected Resene ColorShops with the aim of reducing the amount of paint sent to landfill. Resene PaintWise trucks visit collection centres to process returned paint, with good-quality unused waterborne paint being gifted to community groups, and solventborne paints being sent away for solvent recovery for reuse by other companies. Metal tins and other packaging is recycled. 

Since its launch in 2005, over 6 million packs of paint have been returned and more than 250,000 litres of waterborne paint have been gifted to community groups. Paint pails have, in the past, been hard to recycle locally, which is why Resene pails are now washed and chipped in a special local facility so they can be used to make 100% recycled Resene paint pails. 

In Australia, use the Paintback service to take back old paint and paint packaging.

PaintCrete is another Resene recycling innovation. The new technology reuses old unwanted paint in concrete manufacturing for commercial application. 

In August 2001, PaintWise was accredited by the Ministry for the Environment under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008, and was recertified in 2021. It’s the only paint product stewardship programme accredited in New Zealand. The programme has won a prestigious Green Ribbon Award. Non-profit community groups wishing to apply for free paint to use on projects such as painting over graffiti can apply here. 

Of course, the best way of reducing waste is by ordering the right amount for the project in the first place. Ask your Resene ColorShop to help you calculate the amount of paint you need. As Resene is a quality paint product, the finish will last longer than cheaper brands. This means you can wait longer between repainting – which is better in the long run.

Top tips:

• Never tip unwanted paint – or water used to clean paintbrushes – down the stormwater drain.
• Drains inside the home are suitable for draining brush wash water, and it’s best to donate unwanted paint pails to Resene PaintWise for recycling. 
• Avoid adding any paint to your compost bin, unless you want paint coloured chips all the way through your garden.
• If you are recycling paint, try to do this while the paint is still liquid as this gives it the best chance of reuse. Letting the paint harden or adding it to your compost bin, is wasting good paint that could be used again for something else.

About MasterStroke by Resene
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