How cold can I store paint?

Hi,

I store my paints in an old fridge in the garage which stays cooler than the garage on hot days. Is there a downside to this for spray paints? Are spray paints affected in closed sealed containers like a fridge? Thanks

The vapor pressure usually goes down with lower temp, so in a well sealed bottle or can that should not be a problem.  As long as it never gets near freezing it should not be a problem.

berd

my garage gets down to around 50f in the winter and up to around 110f in the summer

is it ok to store modeling suplies like paint, thinners and glues etc in the garage?

If yo go to the paint manufacturer's website and look up their Material Data Sheet (MDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for EU contries, there will be information for safe handling & storage.   For example; Rustoleum/Testors lists the storage temperature range for an enamel paint as N/A to 150 degrees fahrenheit.   It won't freeze at normal temperatures and the volitiles may degrade or rupture the bottle at 150 (+/-) or above.   Similarly Vallejo Model Air has a storage temperature range of 41 F to 86 F.    You can store it in the garage in winter, but may be unuseable if stored in the summer.

Similar info is available (or should be) for glues and thinners.

You may also find that polystyrene plastic may warp in your summer garage temperatures

berd

Do I need to worry about the fumes if I store them in the house?

 

Just storing or using in the house ? Just storing you shouldn't smell anything if they are not open.When I moved I put all of my paints,thinners,weathering products,and glues in a cardboard box under a bed for a year and a half.Didnt smell anything,didnt know they were there.

berd

most of the smell is coming from my emamel weathering products and glues, is there odorless alterntives? 

 

You have many options in acrylics or dry brushes etc. Water colors too. From commercial products or make up your own from inexpensive craft paints or more robust artist acrylic paints. Also clay based options with no odor, like Flory for instance.

most of the smell is coming from my emamel weathering products and glues, is there odorless alterntives? 

berd

Do I need to worry about the fumes if I store them in the house?

 

Yes and no. It depends upon how well you keep them shut when not in use. As well as how sensitive you or other members of your household are to the fumes. Long ago when first married and living in apartments, I kept my all of my hobby stuff on a desk in our bedroom. Neither my wife and I had any problems with that, but we usually had at least a couple of windows open and great airflow in the apartment most of the year. But there are some folks on here who are quite sensitive to the smell of enamels and their thinners, and cannot have them anywhere in their house.

Another option for you is to look at water based acrylic paints if you are that concerned over smells and fumes in the house.

Do I need to worry about the fumes if I store them in the house?

berd

will the paints and thinners still produce fumes if they are kept in a cool place(like a closet)?

 

Yes, but the higher the temps, the more fumes that are produced thru higher evaporation rates. As far as paints go, if they are closed loose enough to produce fumes, they will dry out. The same goes for glues. You'll get your best shelf/ storage life out of stuff stored at household room temperatures.

will the paints and thinners still produce fumes if they are kept in a cool place(like a closet)?

Your low temperature doesn't sound acceptable, but the highs may be pushing it, especially with the thinners. Be sure those those are placed as far as possible from any appliances with a pilot light, and as close as possible to any sort of vent to allow fumes to escape the garage.