How old is too old for paint??

Probably not... I always shake acrylics, and have never had a problem!(but then again, I shake ALL my paints, so maybe I just don't notice the difference!)

QUOTE: Originally posted by Keyworth Just mix them thoroughly before using (don't shake the acrylics!!) and have at it :)

What happens when you shake acrylics? Is it as bad as "crossing the streams"??

I have some old Official brand paints, some old Pactra and Testors paints, and they all work well, especially since some of them are over 25 years old! Just mix them thoroughly before using (don't shake the acrylics!!) and have at it :)

As long as it's liquid, it works good enough for me!

I have a bottle ( Testors? ) that I think is from the sixties it's a square bottle that about half the size of the square Testors bottles and just as tall. It's a great copper color, perfect for the tips of bullets.

I know with automotive paint it doesn't go bad as long as it doesn't freeze. What happens to it after it freezes I don't know.

I am still using some of the old Pactra flat enamels that I bought back in the 1970s-1980s. Most of the time they are just as good as the day they were new.
The biggest problem is getting them open again. Many times I have to emerse the the top in very hot water for a minute or two and then the top comes off easily.

Some of these colors are just not available anymore. I've even used some for mixing with Testors without any problems.

I concur with Shermanfreak. I've got a few Tamiya acrylics which date from '92 and are still as good as the day I bought them. The Testor Model Masters are great paints but don't last nearly as long; I swear some of them seem to solidify overnight. Also agree with Leemitcheltree (from experience!) - test them first!
If you have ANY doubt, chuck it and buy a new bottle - it's not worth trying to save two or three bucks and then ruining a nearly complete project!!

I have a very old (14 years) tin of Humbrol 'S' type Sky, which they no longer make. IMHO it's closer to the original than the one they produce now.

I used it a couple of weeks back on a Sea Hurricane I was finishing.

One trick I've learned is to store the tins upside down (ensuring that the lid is firmly on) .

That way if there is enough air in the tin to cause it to skin over, the skin will be at the bottom of the tin and you should still have some useable paint at the top!

Cheers,

Rob M.

Yep I've got some oldies too, and my Dad often gives me a few jars that he gets at auction sales and yard sales. Who knows how old that stuff is and it still seems to work OK. I keep my paints in a drawer where it is dark and cool so hopefully that helps. I also add a couple BBs to each jar and it really does make mixing alot easier (I actually use slingshot ammo - it's quite a bit bigger than the bb's I saw and mixes the paint a bit quicker.)

M.

I've used Tamiya acrylics that have got to be close to 12 years old without any problems except trying to get the cap off.

BBs! I never thought of that! I have some paints that are now colored rocks. I'll have to try the BB tip.

Thanks AFintel!

AFIntel,
Welcome back
I guess there's no hard and fast rule for opened or unopened paint longevity.
Try to keep them tightly capped, away from sunlight and away from heat sources. Also, it can't hurt to try the old paint out on something BEFORE you paint your model with it.........might save you some heartache..............
Cheers
LeeTree

... AFIntel;

Great question ... and I see that you are a new guy in the Forum(s) ... ... So, let me first say ... Hi and welcome to the FSM Community Modeling Forum(s) ... I feel certain that you will find that we are a very friendly and diverse group of scale modelers. I am glad that you stopped in and joined up ... I hope you are too.

Now, as to your paint question ... I am not sure exactly how long bottled model paint can remain "good". A lot of my paints don't get to hang around long enough to go bad ... I somehow use them up ... you know ... the "standard" colors that we all use a lot of. As for the other colors ... the ones I don't seem to use often ... I think some of them have been on the workbench for more than 10 years. But, I think it has a lot to do with how the bottles are handled ... what conditions they are stored under ... and perhaps even the color.

I think your practice of adding BB's and mixing them about once a month will go along way to extend the useful life of your bottled paints.

Perhaps some of the other Forum members have some other ideas/experiences.