# Paint storage ideas?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-storage-ideas/822186>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 29, 2018, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-storage-ideas/822186 "2018-09-29T23:29:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-storage-ideas/822186/1 "2018-09-29T23:29:49Z")

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Like most everyone else I’ve got several cans of leftover paint. Unfortunately, traditional a paint can will rust around the lip sometimes contaminating the paint. Also pouring the paint can be sloppy. Has anyone used Ball Mason jars. If so, are there any issues w/regard to the rubber “gasket” and latex paint? Any better ideas?

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**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-storage-ideas/822186/2 "2018-09-29T23:38:20Z")

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I have stored vast quantities of paint in jars. Latex or acrylic does well. It doesnt seem to affect the lid. I am careful to not get paint on the rim when i fill them or after use to facilitate opening later.The temperature affects paint more than anything. I painted a mural last year and brought a bunch of paint home. It is oil based. I put it in plastic pails with screw on lids. I opened some up last week to paint a bench and it was fine.  
ETA I got the plastic pails at dollartree, they are for cereals or something.

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**Author:** ![Roy\_Batty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Roy\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roy_Batty)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-storage-ideas/822186/3 "2018-09-30T16:07:25Z")

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> [@Beckdawrek](#):
>
> I have stored vast quantities of paint in jars. Latex or acrylic does well. It doesnt seem to affect the lid. I am careful to not get paint on the rim when i fill them or after use to facilitate opening later.The temperature affects paint more than anything. I painted a mural last year and brought a bunch of paint home. It is oil based. I put it in plastic pails with screw on lids. I opened some up last week to paint a bench and it was fine. ETA I got the plastic pails at dollartree, they are for cereals or something.

Good to know this - Thanks. I have quite a bit of left-over paint as well, and leaving it outside (especially in excessive heat or cold) can ruin this. The plastic pails are a great idea.

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**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paint-storage-ideas/822186/4 "2018-09-30T16:43:34Z")

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I paint a lot. I find if I use one of these:  
[https://express.google.com/product/7069226443696970031\_11364161244795047183\_10142075?mall=Nevada&directCheckout=1&utm\_source=google\_shopping&utm\_medium=product\_ads&utm\_campaign=gsx&utm\_content=test\_0\_30](https://express.google.com/product/7069226443696970031_11364161244795047183_10142075?mall=Nevada&directCheckout=1&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=product_ads&utm_campaign=gsx&utm_content=test_0_30)  
I don’t get paint on the rim and therefor no rusting.