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4 Tips For Storing Your Leftover Paint

 4 Tips For Storing Your Leftover Paint

Your project is done, and you have leftover paint… Now what?

If your painter leaves the paint with you, it’s not an oversight. Having paint on hand is a real asset. If you need to make a quick touch-up, it’s there and ready, or if you need to reference the brand or color code. Besides, it’s a product you paid for!

Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners store it incorrectly, losing out on the value. Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind.

How Should You Store Your Paint?

#1: Keep It Airtight

Air is the enemy, especially as you try to keep the resins, pigments, and binders within the paint formula happy. Believe it or not, this starts with the way you open the can. Never use a screwdriver, or any other type of lever, since it will mangle the rim and keep the lid from sitting properly. Only use a paint can opener, and gently tap it shut with a hammer when you’re done.

Pro Tip:

If you want to take that airtight seal a step further, try stretching some plastic wrap over the can before you put the lid back on. This can be really helpful, especially if the lid isn’t getting a tight fit on its own.

#2: Keep It Labeled

If there’s any extra, our clients can expect a clearly labeled can after a job is done. But if that’s not the case for you, don’t trust your memory. Get an adhesive label and put it on the lid or side of the can, writing down the color, brand, and code for easy reference. You’ll be SO glad you did. You can also jot down which room it was used in.

#3: Keep It Comfortable

Temperature is important. Avoid hot or cold extremes, opting for maybe a darker corner of the garage rather than, say, a garden shed where temps are going to climb. Cool and consistent is best.

#4: Keep It Dry

While a concrete floor can seem like a safe place, we actually recommend keeping the cans OFF the floor. Moisture transmission through concrete slabs occurs constantly, and if your metal can is in direct contact it can speed up the corrosion process. A small shelf is all that’s needed to totally eliminate the risk.

As a final note, keep in mind that if you have old paint you just don’t need anymore, you can always donate it. Nonprofit organizations will often take it, or else your local school district may use it for a specific project or event. There are a lot of good options to help make sure it doesn’t go to waste.

If you have any questions about your own Bay Area painting project, please feel free to contact us at MB Jessee Painting, Inc. We’re here to help!

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“The completed 'Client Satisfaction Survey' we sent in only modestly reflects our total satisfaction with the work. As a retired small business owner, I compliment you on setting 'best practices' that are consistently followed. Everything described in your marketing materials was a reality! The crew is a super bowl team and our neighbors commented on how quiet they were. We are very happy to be a client of MB Jessee.”

— Richard
Orinda

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— Anja
Piedmont

“I had my wooden kitchen cabinets painted white. Anabal and Danielle were doing the job. I have nothing but praise for them. They came on time, cleaned up every day, were respective, friendly and helpful. If the rest of Jessee's crew are as great as Anabal and Danielle, this company will go far.”

— Anni S.
Oakland, CA

“Our paint crew did a great job and the foreman, Gersson was exceptionally great to work with. He was always available to answer questions, good at problem-solving, very patient, kind, and highly professional with great customer service. We definitely recommend this company, and Gersson and his crew.”

— Andrea Y.
Berkeley, CA

“Everyone I dealt with was nice, helpful, and very professional. The price was reasonable! (I didn't feel like I was getting the "San Francisco price." The attention to detail and work quality was excellent. They did what they said they would do in the exact timeframe they said they would do. Highly recommend!”

— Tim Tyson

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— Paul Markovich

“Many thanks to Rigoberto and Damon and the extraordinary team who transformed my castle in the skies.They are magicians. I appreciate their work very much.”

— Kathleen A
San Francisco

“I want to express my thanks for a job well done. The rooms look great and there is no problem with any marks on the all the trim, floor, carpet, etc. The paint job is lovely. I also want to express my thanks for the level of professionalism the foreman showed in running the job. He was very attentive to any changes I needed to make, was extremely careful in getting the faux paint color and effect correct. Thanks so much for a job well done.”

— Suzan D’Arcy

“MB Jessee just finished our exterior and we couldn't be happier with our experience. The foreman (Pedro) and lead painter (Ricardo) were incredible to work with: they communicated scheduling clearly, Ricardo was a joy to be around every day, the showed up early every day, were incredibly tidy and did great paint work. The final walkthrough experience was incredible. Pedro pointed out items I missed demonstrating a clear desire to complete another quality project. I highly recommend them. As others have noted they definitely aren't the cheapest but you quickly realize that you're getting what you pay for. The 3-year guarantee is also a nice touch since there are likely touch-up items that will show up after the job is done.”

— Joshua J.
Oakland, CA

“The finish on my kitchen cabinets had failed, becoming tacky and grimy around the handles. M B Jessee gave me a reasonable quote, far below some others, and did an outstanding job, striping the original varnish and refinishing with a new lacquer finish. The cabinets look like new. Work was done 1 day faster than estimated. The crew was extremely hard-working, considerate, and neat. Highly recommend M B Jessee.”

— Thama B.
San Francisco, CA

“Hello Matt,Just another notice of thanks to your wonderful crew, Rigoberto, Javier and John. They did fantastic work, with Rigo providing meticulous and conscientious attention to the details and excellent woodwork finishing, as evidenced by the beautiful fireplace. Javier did a fantastic job in the bathroom especially, it looks "brand new," and John always does quality work, both with the interior and exterior. I can tell they care about what they do. Rigo's "punch out" was very thorough, too. I will call again when I need some more work and will definitely recommend your company and fine crew. I also felt as a homeowner, I could leave my house in their good hands during the day and that took a lot of worry from me, they were honest, prompt and reliable. They were also very kind, respectful and clean in their work, very professional. Thank you.”

— Beth Marx & Melissa Kirsch
Oakland

“Just had MB Jessee paint the interior of our house and they did a wonderful job. They tackled some crazy wallpaper as well as painted some very high ceilings and walls. The whole process was quick and they did a great job! We are very pleased. I was also very impressed by the crew. They were very personable, kind and actually took pride in the work they were doing. In one of our conversations with the lead Ricardo, he actually told me he was very proud of how the rooms had turned out. I agree sir! It turned out great and it's not often you hear someone thinking of your home like they would theirs, and putting that level of work and quality into it. That made a huge difference in how I viewed this company. Ricardo, you were fantastic and thank you for the great job, we will be using you again.”

— Jeff M.
Danville, CA