How Long Does Paint Last? (Spray, Acrylic, Latex Compared)

The key phrase here is "when stored correctly." Proper storage plays a huge role in how long paint lasts, and you can extend a paint product’s shelf life significantly just by storing it the right way. That’s why you tend to see a huge range on the timeframe for paint shelf life.

Depending on the type of paint, it can generally last anywhere from 2 to 10 years - 2 for not-so-great storage practices and 10 when stored ideally.

Other factors include the type of paint, like latex vs. oil-based vs. spray paint, as well as whether or not the product is open or unopened or whether it's interior or exterior paint. Here’s a quick breakdown of expected shelf life for different types of paint:

As you can see, the timeframe ranges drastically based on the paint type. The real determining factor, though, is whether the product is open or unopened. Let’s take a look at latex/acrylic paint as an example. With a can of latex paint that has been opened, the shelf life is about 2 years as long as properly stored.

However, it could last for as long as 10 years on the shelf if it has been unopened.

We’ve talked a lot about proper storage, so let’s get into the steps on how to exactly do that so that you can make your paint last longer. There are 3 important questions that need answering in order to store paint properly:

For question #1, the main thing to remember is that the paint should always be stored in a cool, dry place. That means you should never let the paint be exposed to extreme heat and never let it freeze. Ideally, the temperature should stay around 70 degrees F, but anywhere between 60 and 80 is usually OK.

To get the answer you’re hoping for on how long does opened paint last, the first thing to do is make sure you remove all impurities from the can. If dirt, leaves, grass, or any other organic material got into the paint, do your best to remove it before closing the lid. These will eventually go bad and rot, which will ruin the integrity of the paint.

Then, you can move the paint over to a plastic or glass storage container (like a Mason jar) - just make sure it's large enough! - and lay some plastic wrap over the open container before tightly closing the lid. If you prefer to keep the opened paint in the can, you can do that. Just make sure to tightly close the lid. The best way to do that is to set the lid in place after cleaning the rim of the can, then tap the edges with a rubber mallet so that it closes firmly.

For unopened paint, just be sure to keep the can out of direct sunlight and keep it stored in a cool, dry room. No matter if the paint has been opened or not, it's always a good idea to label it with the color and date used so that you have all the details you need when you go back to use it later on.

There are a few tell-tale signs that paint has gone bad:

A rancid, foul, or sour smell indicates that there’s probably some bacterial growth within the can. It might also smell of mold or mildew.

If you know that your paint has experienced freezing and thawing in its storage locations, chances are it has gone bad. Freezing and thawing once or twice might not have an effect, but if this keeps repeating, it breaks down the paint.

A lot of people assume that lumps can be dissolved by simply adding water, but this isn’t the case. Once a paint gets lumps that cannot be mixed through evenly, it’s a goner. A jelly-like texture is another indication of bad paint, so it’s time to toss it if the product is neither solid nor liquid.

For proper paint disposal, The Green Project says that “it is really important to make sure paint is disposed of in the right way. Otherwise, it can end up damaging landfills, destroying sewage systems, and even contaminating the water that we depend on for drinking and recreation.”

So how do we dispose of paints the right way? Well, the answer depends on the type of paint you’re dealing with. For disposing of latex paints, these are considered non-hazardous, so we say that “as long as the latex paint is dry or solidified first, it can safely be put in the garbage for disposal at landfill.” Just make sure to do it legally, namely making sure it has dried and solidified.

Since oil-based paints and spray paints are flammable, they are considered hazardous. For that reason, these types of paints cannot be put in the trash. Instead, you need to take it to your nearest hazardous waste site. That’s why it’s best to just try and use it up on projects around the home or pass it on to someone who could use it.

Not only are homeowners wondering about how long paint lasts in storage, but they’re also asking about how long it lasts on walls. If you properly prepare and clean your walls before painting, a fresh coat of interior paint can last between 5 and 10 years.

Exterior paint won’t last as long, but you can expect it to last between 5 and 7 years when applied properly. The shorter lifespan of exterior paint makes sense since it is more exposed to the elements, like rain, wind, snow, and direct sunlight.

To make your exterior paint job last longer, allow the first coat of paint to cure between 12 and 24 hours before applying a second coat. Before you start painting, scrape the exterior walls to remove loose or peeling areas from the previous paint job, then wash off dust or dirt. It’s vital that you use the right paintbrushes and accessories for maximum coverage. 

To recap, paint can last for a while, especially if it has been unopened. Even if you’ve opened a can of paint, it could last for years with proper storage techniques. To store it properly, always make sure it’s in an airtight container and kept in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.