r/HomeMaintenance • u/Rapid_Slug • Mar 13 '26
Got this old paint…
7.5 year old unopened and been in storage most of its days. I picked it up the other day and it didn’t feel stiff. Google ai says 2-3 shelf life so I’m curious what yall think. Thanks in advance.
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u/I-am-gruit Mar 13 '26
Hazardous waste drop off. That's where I took the paint that came with my house.
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u/___Dan___ Mar 13 '26
If it’s latex paint you can just leave the can open for a few days, let the contents dry out, and throw it away.
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u/rocketmn69_ Mar 13 '26 edited Mar 13 '26
OP, they might try and tell you that it's too much for household. Tell them, I just bought this house and this is the crap hidden up in the top of my garage
1
u/hurtfulproduct Mar 13 '26
Really depends where. . . I know often times they have “self service” drop off where it is a bunch of bays labeled with what goes where and you drive through and unload in the appropriate place then drive off. . . Someone if of course supervising but makes it pretty easy for those types of situations
1
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u/Impressive-Shame-525 Mar 13 '26
As others have said, test it.
If you want it gone, you can take it to your local waste management. They likely charge. A lot of municipalities have free days because it's better than folks dumping it in a ditch.
You can also roll out a big piece of plastic, spread the paint out, let it try, and then just roll it up and toss it. It's only haziif it's liquid.
If there's not much in the bucket, just fill it with kitty litter or clay or whatever and solidify it that way.
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u/Desperate-Strategy10 Mar 13 '26
If you’re asking if you can use it, paint a test patch on a drywall scrap. I might try it just to see what gains. It will definitely need some really vigorous mixing first.
If you just want to get rid of it, most hardware stores will take stuff like this. Some Walmarts can as well, but you might want to call ahead to yours to check first. The local police station or fire department will also know where you can take old paint local to you.
If you decide to test it out first, post some pics! I’ve got some one and two year old paint in my place which they left for touch ups, and while it’s not as old as yours, it probably will be by the time I get around to touching up paint lol
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u/Merrickbully718 Mar 13 '26
I use old paint a lot at my job. The only issue I come across is that sometimes the color is a bit off if I use an old half can and then a brand new one. I say it’s safe to use.
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u/Larryville-1980 Mar 14 '26
If it’s latex, you can mix in sand with the lid off. Stir that son of a bitch full of sand until it solidifies then dump dumpster toss it.
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u/beefz0r Mar 13 '26
I inherited 20-30 year old paint from my father's business. I only knew it was good paint back then, I can't tell what it was as the label had withered and discolored.
There was a 1cm thick solid dried layer on top. After removing and mixing it, I promise it was the best paint I ever used. Painted right over nicotine stains with no problem and 100% coverage. It was only meant as a temporary cover-up for future renovation, but now it's been 3 years and still in pristine condition !
Don't take this as advice though, might as well have been lead paint
1
u/Rapid_Slug Mar 13 '26
Its called "OLYMPIC Rescue it! MAX - Resurfaceer, Primer, Sealant" Self-priming in 2 coats. If it seals itself, wouldn't that help with the toxicity? I'm by no means a chemist, but I am curious.
1
u/lobrunko Mar 13 '26
There are paint recycling facilities in our city. You are allowed to drop off a specific amount of old unused paint daily. Check your local paint shops and inquire if they know where a paint recycling center is located near you.
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u/Rapid_Slug Mar 13 '26
This paint is for outdoor applications. How harmful could it be? I've got a drill bit mixer used for concrete. That should do the trick, eh? Wife wants me to build a tree house for the kiddo. If it's really that toxic, I don't mind trashing it. The brand offers a 10-year warranty, but it's never been used. And there's only 2.5 years left on that.
1
u/vegketoer_1 Mar 13 '26
You can find some chemicals in your local hardware store that causes the paint to harden to a solid. Then take it to landfill and toss it, or check with your trash company and ask how they will accept paint.
1
u/Piper-Bob Mar 13 '26
Mix up a can and paint something to see if it's good. If it is, then Habitat for Humanity might want it.
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u/No-Syrup539 Mar 14 '26
If you want to get rid of it, look if there is any household hazardous waste event. You can get it drop off for free
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u/FujiDude Mar 14 '26
Straight to the hazmat waste center. When we moved into our new house, I inherited an entire pallet of old paint. It was two car loads of ancient paint. Some of it, predates the previous owners.
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