I always thought that you couldn't store any kind of paint below a certain temperature. I ordered some one-shot yesterday and requested they mark "do not freeze" on the packaging for shipment. The supplier informed me that oil-based paint doesn't freeze, therefore it will not be harmed by low temperatures.
I've been heating my garage when I'm not using it, or hauling all my paints back into the basement to store them in the winter (total pain in the butt). Do I only need to worry about the latex based stuff?
Suelynn
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
Hi Sue Funny, my Oil Based Paint freezes. I do keep it in an area where it's warm. I have left paint in my van overnight and it has frozen and I have thawed it and used it again with no problems. I do not leave my paint in my van if I can help it but sometimes I have no choice.
Your a Hockey Gal from Canada Sue, drop gloves with the guiy and get in some combinations, make sure you get the sweater over his head, then really let him have it!
Posted by Steve Nuttle (Member # 2645) on :
Sue I could be wrong but I believe that oil based paints will not freeze. They may become so thick as to appear frozen but put back into a warm place they will go back to the original condition. A trick that I have used is to place rollers in the freezer between jobs so they won't dry out. Pull them out warm them to room temp and roll away. Always use the same color as the color that you put them in the freezer with! Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
I have always left any oil-based paints, stains, thinners etc. in the unheated shop but bring everything waterbased such as latex paints, stains, glues, fillers inside the heated area. It doesn't get that cold here but it does get below freezing.
I also bring my West-System epoxy inside too.
Posted by Cheryl Lucas (Member # 1656) on :
I'm with Steve on freezing rollers. Got three of em in the freezer now, wrapped in plastic grocery bags! Black, White & Dark Green... Like he said, just thaw em out and go at it!
Cher.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
oil based paint is just that....oil at low temps will thicken to unpourable consistance. when i lived in maine....i took a qt 30w oil set it outside in -30 weather along with a 5-30w.....the 5-30 was like honey.....the 30 w....would not come out when tryin to pour it. all water based paint is that..water based....and will freeze. and usually after its froze..itsa no good....freezing breaks down the chemicals within the paint......
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
Git yer self an old ded (free) refrigerator. set it to off... Rewire the door switch so the light stays on all the time. Enuf heat to keep every thing cozy. You need somethign to store the paint anyway.
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
Hi Suelynn I have never worried about my oil based paint.At least not about the house paint and stuff that I store in the workshop. If it warms up again it is as good as new. I also believe that it never really freezes. But I've thrown out quite a few gallons of latex paint over the years because winter always gets here before it really should. You know what I'm talking about...
Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
Darn Curtis, why didn't I think of that? I have a small freezer rigged like that out in the shop that we used to keep welding rods in. Gonna clean it out tomorrow, thanks.
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
Hell, Kathy, I didn't think you guys ever got cold enough to thicken latex paint.heh heh
Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :
While oil based paints technically do not freeze, temperatures below 20 degrees F can cause the drier to seperate from the resin during the gelatinous state. Heavier pigments can also be shocked out of the mixture. While you can restir the paint after it warms up and have it dry the chemical curing can be effected. The drier will never be remixed into the resin by stirring as it is pressed into the resin during manufacture. Heavier pigments also may not stay in suspension. The result is lower gloss and weaker paint film which is not as durable as is should be and less pigment concentration. Remember that alkyd enamels are packaged for application under median conditions of 70 degrees with 50% humidity.
Posted by EmpY (Member # 138) on :
A long time ago, I tried putting oil based paint roller covers in the freezer to make them last to the next day or the day after and let me tell you it makes for some VERY interesting tasting leftovers.
The solvent fumes get circulated throughout not only the freezer but also the refrigerator.
Never do it in a freezer/refrigerator that has food you intend to eat.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Funny, I've left latex paint in my unheated shop for the last few winters with no problem.
Ok, ok, I'm being a smug weather snob, I know. I'm actually typing from the suburbs of Chicago tonight & it's no weather for latex here. Or for people for that matter.
Hey Empy you around tomorrow? I'm about 30 minutes down the road?
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
Thanks for all the interesting replies. Funny, I've used that roller in the freezer trick myself (and tasted the results ) but still thought it was not good to let the whole can of paint freeze. The dead fridge is a great idea.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
) but still thought it was not good to let the whole can of paint freeze. The dead fridge is a great idea.