how long does paint / stain last?

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

I have estimating issues so have a fair bit of paint left over form when i finished my basement (2005) and stain for the deck and fence (2001).

Paint is in gallon pails opened and unopened. Stain is a 5 gallon pail (not opened since i bought it).

Does this stuff go bad? Should I bother trying to use it? Anything I should look at before shaking it up again or after?

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

I have estimating issues so have a fair bit of paint left over form when i finished my basement (2005) and stain for the deck and fence (2001).

Paint is in gallon pails opened and unopened. Stain is a 5 gallon pail (not opened since i bought it).

Does this stuff go bad? Should I bother trying to use it? Anything I should look at before shaking it up again or after?

Unopened latex paint has a shelf life of up to five years, opened considerably less, like 1-2 years.

If you are thinking about using it, keep in mind that the existing paint on the walls has been exposed to UV for 4 years now, and is likely a different colour than what is in the can. You could probably get away with it in a basement, but probably not a bedroom.

[Madman]

If you stored it in your garage over winter then it is toast.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Madman

If you stored it in your garage over winter then it is toast.

Not if the garage is heated.

Paint does not take well to freezing.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by redforever

Not if the garage is heated.

Paint does not take well to freezing.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

^^ Latex only right. Oil based stain is ok?

How do I tell if it's been ....cold damaged. My garage is insulated. I don't think it would have frozen.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

^^ Latex only right. Oil based stain is ok?

How do I tell if it's been ....cold damaged. My garage is insulated. I don't think it would have frozen.

Most insulated garages in Calgary will go below freezing without a heat source.

Take the cans of paint to some store where they can put it in those machines to give it a good shaking. I don't know how long they normally put it in those machines, but tell them it is 5 years old, to shake it longer and then look in the cans and go from there.

[Jedi Ninja]

I have had Kilz latex primer and Behr latex primer both go bad within 12-18 months stored indoors. Now I know why the professional painters trash these brand lines.

[Jedi Ninja]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

I have estimating issues so have a fair bit of paint left over form when i finished my basement (2005) and stain for the deck and fence (2001).

Paint is in gallon pails opened and unopened. Stain is a 5 gallon pail (not opened since i bought it).

Does this stuff go bad? Should I bother trying to use it? Anything I should look at before shaking it up again or after?

The cost of paint is small in proportion to the amount of labour it takes to apply it. I'd rather err on the side of caution and start with new paint.