Saving Leftover Paint

If you want to save leftover paint, it is important to store it properly. Proper storage will ensure that it is still usable when you need it. This is a guide about saving leftover paint.

Solutions: Saving Leftover Paint

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Save Leftover Paint in Smaller Containers

When you are done with a small glass jar with a screw lid, wash both pieces well and dry. The next time you have a paint job before putting the lid on the can, pour some into your little jar and store it.

When it's time to do a little touch up or small repair you can easily grab the right jar by the color. It's very easy to mix up and you don't need to lug out the big can and do all that tedious mixing!

By Trisha from Ventura, CA

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Questions

Here are questions related to Saving Leftover Paint.

Transferring Paint Into Smaller Containers

I have paint in very large containers that my painter used to paint my entire house. How can I put some in smaller containers that I can actually use to touch up small areas? Thank you.

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Most Recent Answer

By Becky (Guest Post) 09/16/2008

I reuse baby food jars just for this purpose. I have one jar for each different paint color in my house. I just labeled the jars with the paint's location, and voila! Any time I need to touch up, it's easy to just grab the little jar and a paintbrush and get to work.

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Save Leftover Paint in Smaller Containers

To be thrifty with my storage space, I save the leftover paint in a small gladware type container rather than the large paint can. I write all important paint info (like the store, color name or mix, and room) on it with a sharpie. I just did touch ups in my kitchen with almost 2 year old paint, so I know it doesn't dry out.

By Christine J

RE: Save Leftover Paint in Smaller Containers

Another good container is a plastic peanut butter jar. They seal very tightly and can be shaken as well as stirred. A 2-inch brush will fit without interference. (06/17/2004)

By Jon in Birmingham

Save Leftover Paint for Touch-ups

My tip is: When you're painting a room and you have a small amount of paint leftover, don't throw it away. Find a small container to put it in, preferably a tin or a jar, close the lid tight, label it and save it for touch-ups.

By Lisa

Editor's Note: Another good idea is to put a label on the jar with the batch code number from the can, the exact paint name, the manufacturer name and the solvent that can be used for cleaning brushes. (08/27/2004)

Handy Touch Up Paint

After painting, pour some leftover paint in an empty jar, (such as a baby food jar) and label it for an easy way to walk around doing easy touch up jobs on walls. You can carry it around easier and may actually be tempted to touch up the spot quicker than if you had to haul out the big can of paint. (11/22/2004)

By Gary S

RE: Save Leftover Paint in Smaller Containers

Just in case you don't happen to have a small container and are determined to save the big can and all...be sure to store it upside down. That way it will not get the thick film on the top and will be easier to mix/shake. (12/29/2004)

By darlin daisy

Touch Up Paint

When painting a room, keep a small jar and fill it with the paint, mark the color and which room it's from on it, and you'll have it at hand in no time to do quick touch ups in the room. (05/27/2005)

By Regina