Rusting Paint tins

[Bob38S]

If you can't decant into another container and as a short term fix [have been successful for a period of approx 5 months] for air in the tin - go to the $2 shops or toystore and buy a couple of bags of glass marbles - these can be added to the tin to reduce the volume of air while not affecting the paint - to remove the marbles when necessary - scoop out the marbles rather than pour the whole tin's contents - I have used a clean 2L Pepsi bottle with the bottom cut off - the marbles jam in the neck and allows the paint to fall through - when drained wash the marbles in the appropriate solvent and you are ready to go again.

[Pagie]

Just toss it out or paint the end of logs with it. It makes no sense to save as next time u want to paint u will want a different colour anyway.

[GeorgieP]

Hi guys FYI there also exists collapsible bottle/containers, that go about partially dealing with this problem. Collapsible Bottle - Lee Valley Tools

I have quite a few of these, and they are really useful as they eliminate the problem of rust, and storage of almost empty paint tins (due to the collapsible concertina design).
They seem to be made of some strong plastic, and seal well.

PS. I f anyone knows any local suppliers of these, the information would be appreciated .

Cheers

GeorgieP

[murray44]

When emulsion paint is manufactured the pH of the paint is adjusted to a range 7.5 to 9.5, as the emulsion is not stable below 7.0. This adjustment is generally done with ammonia, some manufacturers use amines, which are less volatile.

Ammonia eh? That explains why my new 4L tin of paint smelt stongly of it. It was a brand I hadn't used before. Thanks Big Shed (bragger )

[BamBam53]

Back in the early 90's Benjamin Moore imported water based paint into New Zealand from the United States. The lining on the imported cans was really good and the cans did not rust.

The general manager of one of the local can makers picked up on this and started some work to improve the quality of the locally made cans. The secret of the American cans was that they had a two coat lining rather than the single coat epoxy that was used at the time (and probably still is). Cans were made, tested and everything looked good. The new non-rust can would cost have cost a little bit more than the old ones and that is where the work stopped. The paint companies did not want to pay more fore better quality cans.

Here in New Zealand 8 and 10 litres are packed in plastic pails and the paint keeps well. I have some fifteen year old Dulux Spruce that is still useable. Anything in a metal can will rust from the inside out very quickly.