Storing paint in winter can be tricky, especially if it is stored in an area where there is no heating or protection from the cold. Most of us choose to store excess paint in the garage, but this can definitely pose a problem in the winter.
Can paint freeze, and can you still use it? Paint can freeze, but the temperature that paint freezes at depends on the type of paint it is. Whether or not paint can be used after it freezes is not always a straightforward answer, as some will be fine to use, and some won’t.
If you have some paint stored away in the garage and the temperature is dropping, then read on to find out about how the different paints react to low temperatures, if they are still usable after freezing, storage tips, and more.
Does Paint Freeze?
Paint can definitely freeze when exposed to cold temperatures, but the temperature at which the paint freezes depends on what the paint is made with.
Freezing can cause permanent damage to the paint, as the emulsion of the paint can be ruined and when thawed, the paint can be a different consistency, it can be clumpy or stringy, or it can have the same consistency as sandy water or cottage cheese.
However, there are some conditions where the paint will be fine to use once it has frozen and thawed, but this will be on a case-to-case basis.
Below are the different paint types and how they react to freezing temperatures.
Water-Based Latex Paint
Water-based latex paint freezes at the same temperature as water, as it is mostly water-based. This means that it will freeze at 32°F, making it the most susceptible paint to freezing.
There is a very good chance the latex paint left in your garage in winter will freeze and it might freeze and thaw multiple times. When this happens, it might completely ruin the emulsion of the paint and it will not be suitable to be used again.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint freezes at a lower temperature than water-based paint, as it has a much lower water content, so it is not as susceptible to freezing.
Most oil-based paints are made with linseed oil, which has a freezing point of around -4°F. Paint that has a different oil base will freeze at around -74°F, so the chances of it freezing in your garage are quite unlikely.
Acrylic Paint
As acrylic paint is water-based, it will freeze at 32°F. This means that it is at risk when left in the garage over the winter months, especially if it freezes and thaws multiple times before use.
Spray Paint
Spray paint can also freeze at 32°F if it is water-based spray paint. Frozen and thawed spray paint is not as easily used, as the viscosity has to be perfect for it to be sprayed through the nozzle.
It is much more difficult to use spray paint once it has frozen, so it is much better to try and keep it in a warmer environment during the winter.
How To Thaw Paint
If your paint has frozen, you would obviously need to thaw it before you use it. Thawing it is also the only way that you can determine whether or not the paint can be used again.
You need to avoid trying to thaw the paint using external heat, such as from a heater or a hairdryer, as this could damage the paint even further.
The best way to thaw paint is to bring it into your house and leave it indoors at room temperature until it has thawed through. This might take some time, but it is the best way to gently thaw the paint and not cause any more damage.
It might take several hours to a day for the paint to thaw, but this is the best chance you have of restoring the paint back to its normal state, or as close to it as possible.
When bringing the paint indoors to thaw, place a towel or some newspaper underneath the can to prevent any mess
Can You Use Paint After It Freezes?
Whether you can use paint after it freezes will depend on the conditions the paint was stored in, and how many times it has gone through the freezing and thawing process. Various types of paint fair differently when frozen and thawed.
You will need to wait for the paint to thaw before you can check whether or not it is fine to use. Here is how to do so:
Leave The Paint To Thaw Fully
Before checking whether or not the paint is fine to use, you need to leave it to thaw fully. As mentioned above, it is best to do this by leaving it indoors at room temperature.
How long the paint takes to dry depends on the type of paint as well as how full the tin was.
Check The Paint
Once the paint has thawed fully, you need to access it. Some paints may have little clumps, similar to the consistency of cottage cheese. To look for these clumps, pour some of the paint into a clean can, and check for the lumps as the paint is moving.
If there are quite a few clumps in the paint, then it is likely not going to be very usable, and you will have a difficult time painting with it.
You can also check the paint for a string-like or sandy consistency too, which can happen once paint is frozen and thawed.
Spray paint is a little more difficult to check, as it is contained in a smaller can and can only be expelled through the nozzle. You might have to try and spray the paint once thawed to see if any comes out, and if it does, then you will need to check the consistency.
To do this, shake the spray can and then spray it onto a clean sheet of paper. The consistency should be smooth and even, not clumpy and discolored.
Stir The Paint
Clumpy or grainy paint can still be saved, and the best way to save paint that hasn’t thawed well is through vigorous stirring.
Stirring the paint thoroughly will help to remove some clumps, and it can help mix all the separated ingredients back together again.
Obviously, the more clumps the paint has, the longer it will take to stir, and the less chance you have of mixing it back to normal.
Paint that contains severe clumps will probably not return back to normal, no matter how much you stir it. However, you can try to strain some of the larger clumps out of the paint and stir what is left.
This will result in less paint being left usable, and the consistency might not be perfect, but it can still be used for touch-ups and areas that are not as noticeable.
Test The Paint
To test whether or not the paint is still fine to use, you can simply paint it in an area that is inconspicuous.
Don’t use the paint before testing it, as even though it looks fine, the freezing and thawing might have made it unsuitable for painting, and it could even separate when painted and dry.
Paint some of the paint onto scrap pieces of wood or on an area of a wall that is hidden away. It is much better to test the paint on the same surface that you will be using it on, to get as close of a test result as possible.
Leave the test patch to dry, and see how it has done. If it dries smooth and even and has consistent color, then it should be fine to use. However, if you notice any issues, it might be best to discard the paint.
How To Store Paint In The Winter
The best way to prevent your paint from freezing is to keep it away from freezing temperatures. The ideal area to store paint is in a dark, cool (not freezing), and dry environment, such as an attic or basement.
Garages and sheds can be problematic as they do not always protect the paint from the cold temperatures, and this can lead to freezing.
Here are some tips on how you can store paint in the winter, even if you have to place it in the garage when there is no other space available:
- Store the paint in an airtight container. If the paint tin has been damaged, you will need to decant it into a clean container, which has an airtight seal.
- Wrap the tin of paint in plastic wrap, both the top and bottom, to further increase the airtight seal, which can prevent damage from freezing and moisture.
- If the original tin is still fine to use, make sure to pound the lid down tight using a rubber mallet. The better the tin is sealed, the less likely it is to be damaged by the cold.
- Store the paint in a heat-controlled environment where possible, so it does not have to be exposed to freezing temperatures at all.
How Should I Dispose Of Frozen Paint?
Remember to check the guidelines in your community to find out how to dispose of paint, and if there are any special requirements.
If there are no special requirements, then there are a few ways you can safely dispose of paint that has frozen and thawed and is unsuitable to be used.
First, you can open the tin of paint and leave it to dry out completely. Once the paint has dried and turned solid, you can put the lid back on and throw the tin in the bin. This is best suited for smaller tins.
If there is a small amount of paint left, you can lay some newspaper down and pour the paint onto the newspaper to dry. When dry, you can then scrunch up the newspaper, bag it, and dispose of it.
It is also best to leave the tin to dry outdoors, as you do not want the fumes to fill out your house and cause an unpleasant smell.
The other option you have is to pour the paint into a container filled with sawdust. The sawdust will help the paint dry out quicker, and you can then place this in rubbish bags and place it in the bin.
Check to see if there are any paint disposal centers in your area that will take care of the paint for you.
Does Oil-Based Paint Freeze Well?
There are some oil-based paints that fare better in the cold, as this slows down oxidation and evaporation, and allows the paint to be preserved for longer.
For this reason, there should not be too much of a difference in the paint once it has frozen. The paint can then be left at room temperature to thaw, and it can be stirred back together again when it is time to be used.
Oil-based paint should not freeze often, as it needs very low temperatures to freeze, but it might be better to store it in low temperatures.
How To Tell If Paint Has Gone Bad
Freezing and thawing multiple times in the winter could cause the paint to go bad, so it does help to know the signs to look for that paint may have spoiled.
Here are the common signs that paint has gone bad, and that you should probably not use it:
- The color of the paint has changed, it has either become dull or the color is not even throughout.
- The paint has a stringy or clumpy consistency, and stirring it does not help to solve it.
- When the can is opened, the paint has a rancid and foul odor.
- The paint has a thicker consistency and it does not flow as easily. It could also present as the paint separating and there being thinner and thicker parts.
- The paint does not dry properly and does not apply evenly onto a surface.
Can Paint Freeze?
Paint can freeze, and some paints freeze at a much lower temperature than others. Water-based paints such as latex, acrylic and spray paints freeze at the same temperature as water, around 32°F.
Oil-based paints freeze at a much lower temperature, but they can freeze. Whether or not a paint is still fine to use after freezing will depend on the conditions and the type of paint.
To check whether the paint can be used, you should leave it to thaw at room temperature, and then stir it thoroughly. Check the consistency and whether there are any clumps, and do a test patch in an inconspicuous area.
Try to store the paint in a cool, dark, and dry area, where it will not be at risk of freezing, and where it will keep its best quality.
Related Questions
What happens if paint freezes before it has a chance to dry?
If paint freezes before it has had a chance to dry, then there might be a noticeable difference in texture, odor, and color.
Can I paint in winter?
It might actually be better to paint your walls in winter, as there is less humidity in the air, which means that the paint will dry faster.
What is the lowest temperature you can paint in?
You should not paint in temperatures lower than 40°F, as this is just above the freezing point for water-based paints.
Related Articles
Best Glow In Dark White Paints
