How to Know if the Paint is Expired in Nigeria

If you’re in Nigeria reading this article, chances are you have some cans of paint stored in your home and are trying to know if they have expired. Or you probably want to buy some cans of paint for future use and are wondering what happens if you’re not able to use them before they expire.

This article discusses how to know if the paint is expired and whether you can use it when expired.

But first…

Does Paint Go Bad or Expire?

Yes, paint can indeed go bad or expire over time. While it may not necessarily become toxic or harmful, its quality and effectiveness can diminish.

There are many reasons your paint can go bad. One apparent reason is exposure to moisture, which makes it develop mold or mildew. It can also go bad when the chemical components break down due to exposure to improper conditions. 

Also, like many items, paints have expiration dates, and when they are unused before that time, you can see their quality drop.

How Long Does Paint Last?

The shelf life of paint can vary depending on several factors, including the type of paint and how it’s stored.

When stored properly, oil-based paints can last up to 15 years, while water or latex-based paints can last up to 10 years. Unopened paints last longer than the ones that have been opened and briefly exposed to the weather.

However, always make sure you buy freshly produced paint to ensure its expiry date is still far away.

Now that you know a paint can expire and how long it can take before it does, let’s look at how you can know an expired paint in Nigeria.

Also Read: What is the Difference Between Oil and Water Based Paint?

How to Know if the Paint is Expired

In Nigeria, as in many other places, here are a few ways you can check if a paint you’re buying has expired:

1. Check the Date

Most paint containers have a manufacturing and expiration date printed on them. If the paint is past this expiration date, it may not yield the desired result.

Therefore, the first way to find out if a paint is expired in Nigeria is to look at the expiration date. This can also be useful when you’re buying paint to use later. Knowing the expiration date will help you not to buy paints with a close expiration date.

2. Inspect the Consistency

Examining its consistency is one of the easiest ways to know if a paint is expired. An expired paint may separate or become clumpy, leaving a thick substance at the bottom of the container with a watery layer on top.

While it’s normal for some paint to have a slight separation and clumpy parts, stirring it can easily resolve this. But if, after stirring, the mixture remains separated or has chunks, then it’s obvious the paint has expired.

A good paint will always have a smooth texture. Therefore, if you want to know if your opened or leftover paint is still good, give it a quick stir and check if there’s consistency in the mixture.

Also Read: How to Get Industrial Supply of Paints in Nigeria

3. Perceive the Smell

Paint that has gone bad might have a foul smell. This is one of the best ways to test if paint has expired or gone bad. If you notice an unusual or strong odor, it could be a sign that the paint is expired or contaminated.

While fresh paint may not smell exactly as pleasant as a vanilla or rose flower, spoiled paint has a much worse and unpleasant scent. You can always tell the difference. Expired paint tends to have a rotten-egg odor.

4. Discoloration

Color is an essential component of paint, and that is exactly why we invest money in it. So if you bought a light green paint and see it turning to a yellowish-white substance, you know something is wrong.

Therefore, discoloration is a good sign that your paint has turned bad and should be disposed of. Using the discolored paint can result in peeling thereafter, or the paint will wash off easily when touched by water.

5. Physical Examination

You can know if your paint has gone bad by examining it for signs of mold or mildew.  The presence of these is a clear indication that your paint has gone bad.

Storing an opened paint in a damp area can cause mold, mildew, or fungi to develop on them or around the can, which can trigger the chemical components of the paint to react and make it eventually turn bad.

The presence of mold or mildew on the surface of paint can cause unsightly stains and discoloration. They can also compromise the adhesion qualities of the paint, eventually affecting its durability.

6. Perform a Test

If at the end you’re still unsure if the paint has expired, perform a test to know.

You can apply it on a small surface area and observe it for a while. If it doesn’t apply smoothly, dries unevenly, or doesn’t adhere well, it’s a sign that the paint has expired.

Can You Use Old or Expired Paint?

Yes, you can, especially for touch-ups. But it’s generally not recommended, as it may lead to unsatisfactory results.

Using old or expired paint may result in a poor-quality finish with uneven coverage and texture. It can also affect the paint’s durability, leading to premature peeling, cracking or flaking.

One of the most discomforting aspects of using expired paint is the difficulty in application. When the paint becomes clumpy or separated, its difficult to get an even mixture, which can result in frustration during the painting process.

Also Read: How to Identify Original Satin Paint in Nigeria

Conclusion

Identifying when a paint is still good or has expired will help you avoid the stress and unsatisfactory results that come from using it. It will also help you save the money you’d have wasted on the paint if you purchased it for later use.

The guides in this article are practical enough to help you know if the paint you stored or are buying is still in good condition. Hopefully, you will use them well to avoid some avoidable costs and unpleasant results.