Given that everything has a shelf life / expiration date (so it seams), it only makes sense to assume airbrush paint has an expiration date as well.
But given how most paint manufacturers don’t provide an exploration date on the bottle, it can be difficult to know just how long the paint is going to last…
Today we will be going deep into the life expectancy of airbrush paint, as well as some methods to make your airbrush paint last longer then most.
That being said, How long does airbrush paint last?
Under most circumstances you can expect airbrush paint to last upwards of 3 – 5 years, possibly even 10 years by utilizing good storage techniques, and by following the tips listed below.
But I must say, there is never any guarantee that airbrush paint will last that long.
My belief as to why paint manufacturers don’t place a specified exploration date on their paints is partially due to the fact that storage conditions play a large part on the overall shelf life of the paint.
I mean, one guy will likely be very meticulous about his paints ensuring they are properly sealed and so forth, while another guy couldn’t be less careless. Odds are, the guy that is meticulous about his paints will have those paints for years to come with no issues. While the other may be throwing away his paints weeks after purchase because they dried out…
It mainly comes down to how to paint is cared for and stored.
How To Properly Store Airbrush Paint
Like I said above, the manor at which most choose to store their airbrush paints will likely have the largest impact on the overall shelf life of the paint.
The thing is, is many don’t know how to properly store airbrush paint so it will last.
But given your here reading this, you clearly are above the minority.
Lets discuss a few best practices in order to get the longest possible shelf life out of your airbrush paints:
- Storage location.
- Climate conditions.
- Ongoing paint maintenance.
Storage Location
The location to which you choose to store your paint will likely have a big impact on the following factors to be discussed. For example, storing your paints outside vs. inside will have a large impact on the overall climate conditions at which the paint is stored in.
By the way, I would differently recommend storing your airbrush paints indoors rather then outdoors. The overall climate conditions typically far exceed the recommended storage temperature for paints (Either too hot, or too cold).
Aside from that, the location you choose to store your paint will highly impact how well you maintain the paints.
For example, If you store your paints in a box, buried under a mountain of boxes out in your graug or basement. Odds are you won’t have much desire to perform regular maintenance on the paints. Simply because the task to get at them is so daunting.
We will discuss how to maintain paints so they last shortly.
My recommendation in terms of paint storage, is to store your paints on a shelf near your airbrush work space that is designated specifically for airbrush paint.
Climate Conditions
As we discussed above, It is ideal to store your paints indoors where the climate is managed and consistent. Whether you choose to store your paints in your grauge, the basement, or your spare bedroom its all up to you. Just ensure the climate is manageable and consistent.
Now when it comes to climate I’m specificly speaking of the overall temperture at which the paint is stored at…
Ideal storage temp. most airbrush paint is anywhere between 60°F – 75°F. So, common house hold conditions is about right.
However, another factor to consider is sunlight. Its recommended to store your airbrush paint away from direct sunlight. This means, don’t store your paints on, or near a window seal.
Direct sunlight will heat the paint…
On that same note, cold conditions can be just as bad for paint as hot conditions. Many think that cooler conditions will increases the shelf life of, well everything. I mean, that’s how we get food to last longer right, We freeze it…
But when it comes to paint, freezing it is likely the worst thing you can do to it. In most cases, once paint has been frozen it will not return to its original state once thawed.
So, Yes, overall climate is a large factor to consider when it comes to paint storage… But as long as you store the paint in temps. no less then or greater then 60°F – 75°F, and out of direct sunlight you should be golden.
Ongoing Paint Maintenance
Though maintaining airbrush paint for the long term can get tedious. It is quite simple for the most part…
For the most part, both solvent-based & water-based paints will need to be agitated every now and then. I personally like to shake my paints once or twice per month, but that might be a little over the top.
I’d say going through and shaking each bottle of paint once a month is ideal.
The reason for agitating your paints on a regular basis is to minimize separation of the pigment, binder, and carrier. As well as, mitigate the likelihood of clumps forming within the paint.
Now when it comes to solvent based paints, you may need to apply a small amount of reducer every now an then. Because (depending on the bottle the paint is stored in), it is said that polyethylene (PE, HDPE and so forth) are said to slowly allow the vapors through the material.
Anyway, aside from the above 3 factors, simply ensuring the lid to your paint is on tightly will greatly increase the overall shelf life of the paint.
Now, that being said, there are a few tricks you can implement to increase the shelf life of your paints, or better preserve them.
Tricks To Make Airbrush Paint Last Longer
Though common paint storage techniques as discussed above will enhance the shelf life of nearly any airbrush paint out there, there are a few tricks to get even more life out of your paints.
Refrain from adding reducer to your water-based airbrush paints
Only add reducer to the paint you intend on using in that moment. Reducer will lower the shelf life of water-based airbrush paint to weeks, possibly months. This is because common solutions found in acrylic airbrush paint reducer will shorten drying times, and enhance the likelihood of separation.
Avoid adding reducer to the paint you intend on storing for sometime… Assuming that paint is water-based.
However, like stated above, if your storing solvent-based paints you may need to add a little reducer to the paint every now and then to keep it from drying out.
Place some plastic wrap over the rim of the paint bottle.
By simply placing a small sheet of plastic wrap over the opening of your paint bottles, then threading on the cap. You are essentially creating a seal similarly to what originally came on the bottle from the store.
Doing this will hinder any air (When done correctly) from making its way inside the paint during storage. Resulting in non-crusty, wet paint.
Leave your paints unopened from the store when not needed.
If you have no intentions of using specific colors of paint that come in your pack of paints for some time, the best thing you can do is leave the paint bottles sealed from the factory untill you need them.
The seal that came from the factory is likely going to be the best seal you’ll get, so if you haven’t got a need for that color of paint. Its best to leave it sealed from the factory until you need it.
Dangers Of Using Old Airbrush Paint
Though paints do last some time when cared for properly, there is some danger, as well as negatives to using older airbrush paints.
Mold
Mold can be an issue when using old paints, especially water-based paints.
Moldy paint will typically present its self with a bad (unusual) Oder. If you open up an old bottle of paint, and find it smells funky. Odds are high it may be moldy.
Moldy paint can be quite dangeroush to spray though the airbrush. I mean the airbrush is atomizing the paint, along with anything else that is in the paint (the mold) and its likely you (the user) is inhaleing it…
Inhaling mold is very dangerous to your health. My suggestion, if your old bottle of paint smells weird. Is to through away the paint, and get a new bottle. Your health with thank you.
I must mention, most quality airbrush paint will have a mold inhibitor in it that will not allow mold to grow. However not all do. So just pay attention to the smell of older paints when it comes time to use them…
Clogging
Though a clogged airbrush isn’t exactly dangerous, it is a pitfall of older paint.
Commonly, old paint that has not been stored in a manor that allows for long shelf life will have dried, crusty, clumps of paint in it. These anomalies in the paint, will most definitely result in clogs or an inconsistent spray pattern.
If you go to use older paint, and you notice the airbrush clogging frequently due to chunks of paint. My suggestion is to opt for a new bottle of paint.
Though you could strain the paint using a paint strainer. It may not be worth the time an effort, as other aspects of the paint could be compromised.
Conclusion
Though airbrush paint does not last for ever, It will likely last a few years or more. Especially if proper storage techniques are taken into account.
I heard of a guy airbrushing with paint that was 13 years old and it working fine. As well, I have heard a multitude of stories where people used paint that was 7 – 8 years old and it worked like new…
The way to make paint last long is in the storage techniques you utilize.
However, do keep in mind. Not all paint is considered equal…
One brand of paint may last 10 years (when stored in ideal conditions), when another may only last 5 years when stored in similar conditions as the first…
It all just depends on the paint type. But for the most part you can expect a few years of shelf life out of airbrush paint when proper storage techniques are utilized.
Anyway, I hope you were able to find some value here! If you have any further questions regarding the airbrush do be sure to take a look around the website. Airbrush Insider is dedicated to helping all in the airbrush community!
This is Colt signing off!
Check Out Some Of My Favorite Airbrush Equipment: