The temperature during winter can become very cold. If you have excess paint from a painting job, you might have one question: Can paint freeze?
Water-based paints freeze when the temperature drops to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, oil-based paints can only freeze when the temperature reaches -4 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Oil-based paints don’t freeze if you store them in typical freezers because they are set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
This article will discuss how paints freeze, what happens when they freeze, and if you can restore them. Furthermore, it will cover what temperature is ideal for storing your paint.
Does Paint Freeze?
All types of paint freeze. However, the freezing point of different kinds of paint may vary. Water-based paints freeze faster compared to oil-based paints.
Water-Based Paint Freezing
Latex paints paint can easily freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. They freeze at that temperature because of the water ingredient. According to general scientific knowledge, water freezes when the temperature drops to 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the other hand, a recent discovery reports that water could stay liquid even at a low chilly temperature under certain conditions. With this breakthrough, the freezing point of water-based paint may also vary.
The other ingredients in latex paints may also influence the freezing behavior of the paint formula. Paints may contain additives and other ingredients that could help minimize freezing.
Oil-Based Paint Freezing
Certain types of oil are hard to freeze. Motor oils or petroleum oils, for example, do not freeze hard. They only thicken under extreme cold. So, does this fact suggest that oil-based paints do not freeze?
Well, there might be some oil-based paints that do not freeze easily. However, as the temperate drops to a negative level, there is a high tendency that the paint will freeze hard. If the paint does not harden, the extreme cold temperature will compromise the texture and damage the paint.
Oil-based paints usually do not freeze when you store them in regular freezers at 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it doesn’t make the freezer the ideal place to store your paint. The cold temperature can still potentially ruin the oil-based paint even if it does not freeze hard.
What Temperature Will Paint Freeze?
It is important to know at what point the paint freezes. This knowledge will give you an idea of how to store your paint properly. The paint cans may show the freezing point of the paint.
However, knowing the basic information about the freezing points of paint gives you an advantage. Knowing the proper way of storing your excess paint is also a plus.
The freezing point of paints varies depending on their solvents. If the paint formula contains water, it will likely freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius.
On the other hand, oil-based paints can freeze when the temperature drops to -4 degrees Fahrenheit or -20 degrees Celsius. This freezing point approximation is based on the freezing point of linseed oil, the most common oil used in oil-based paints.
Does Paint Get Ruined if it Freezes?
Paints are prone to damage when frozen. Yes, in most cases, paints get ruined when they freeze. You would be lucky enough to be still able to salvage frozen paint.
When paint freezes, it usually becomes clumpy. The texture and consistency change to a useless state. Chemical reactions and ingredient disorientation usually cause damage.
Another issue you will face after allowing the paint to freeze is discoloration. You may lose the original color of the paint after thawing. Moreover, freezing the paint may compromise its integrity and quality.
I found a good resource to check what happens when the paint freezes. This article contains the result of comparative experiments that check frozen paints’ reusability.
The experiment compares two-year-old garage-frozen paint, freezer-frozen paint, and properly stored or never-frozen paint. The garage-frozen paint in the garage became useless.
The freezer-frozen paint appeared to be salvageable, but it lost its quality. When the experimenter applied the paint, grainy bits were obvious, so he had to discard the paint. On the other hand, the control paint or the never-frozen paint was completely usable after a good stirring.
The experiment result suggests restoring the paint after it freezes can be difficult.
Can Paint be Restored After it Freezes?
You may still be able to salvage paint after it freezes. However, that is not always the case and is not easy. On most occasions, the paint gets damaged after it freezes.
The typical situation when the paint freezes is water goes to the top, and the rest of the ingredient polymerizes at the bottom. When you notice this situation, it could mean the paint went bad. Although this condition is not very good, you can try some methods to salvage the paint.
The key thing to do first is to allow the paint to thaw. Then, you can check whether the paint is still usable. You may not get the original color or quality of the paint, but it would save you some bucks when you can use the paint after it freezes.
Below are more details on the things you can do to check if you can still salvage the once-frozen paint.
Thaw the Paint
Allowing the paint to thaw is the first step to figuring out whether you can still use the frozen paint. Thawing is a must. Do not decide to throw away the paint until it is back in its liquid state.
Thawing the paint takes a lot of patience. All you need to do is allow the room temperature to do the process. You’ll have to wait for this gradual process to complete to increase the chance of salvaging your paint.
You must ensure that you open the can while waiting for the paint to return to its original liquid state. The paint will unfreeze faster when exposed to open air. Of course, please do not ignore the paint for days; you must check it constantly.
It is not recommendable to heat the paint using a heater or blower. That is crazy stuff to do. Doing it may do more damage to the paint than help.
Assess the Paint
Once the paint is completely thawed, you can start your assessment. The very first thing to check is the paint’s consistency. It indicates that the paint is still good for use if you see that it is smooth.
Seeing a crumbly mess is not a good indication. The solids you see in the mix of previously frozen paint could mean it was seriously damaged. However, don’t give up that easily – you need to check further.
Stir the Paint
Stirring the paint will help you restore its original consistency or improve it. If you make the paint smooth again for spreading, you can congratulate yourself. This result could mean that the paint is ready for application.
You may need to vigorously stir the paint to dissolve the mess in the paint caused by the frozen state.
Test the Paint
After vigorous stirring, test the consistency of the paint using a dipstick. If the paint falls back into the tin can, you can use it. If the paint sticks, it could mean it is no longer salvageable.
However, you can still do some more experiments to save the paint. You can try to thin the paint if there are no lumps or solids in the solution. If this method doesn’t work, the paint may no longer be good.
Strain the Paint
Straining the paint is another trick you can try to salvage the paint after it freezes. This process will remove the lumps and other residues that prohibit you from using the paint.
You may be able to restore the paint to its original consistency. However, in some cases, you may not get back the original color. It is your discretion that matters at this stage whether to use the paint or not.
Smell the Paint
A smell test is also very helpful in checking if the paint is still salvageable. If you notice a foul smell, like a rotten egg, it indicates that your paint has gone bad. The only option from here is to purchase a new can of paint.
What is the Lowest Temperature You Can Store
Paint?
There are proper storage steps that you can do to avoid freezing your paint. However, the first thing you might want to know is the ideal temperature to store the paint.
The best temperature to store your paint is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. But to be technical, you can store latex paints at a temperature not lower than 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you’re dealing with oil-based paint, you can store it in an area with a temperature not lower than -4 degrees Fahrenheit. However, to be safe, I highly suggest you give more allowance to avoid freezing.
Proper Paint Storage Tips
Observing proper paint storage will help you preserve the paint for future use. You must consider a few things to ensure you will not ruin the paint.
- Avoid garage storing
- Seal the can properly
- Pick the right size container
- Use a freeze-thaw stabilizer
- Keep the room heated
Avoid Garage Storing
Garage storage is not the best. If you are in a state where the temperature gets extremely cold, your paint is prone to freezing. Freezing is the last thing you want for your paint because it will likely become useless.
During summer, the paint chemicals can quickly evaporate when the temperature gets hot if you leave it in your garage. So, what is the ideal place to store your paint? You can place your excess paints at room temperature in a closet or a paint storage cabinet.
Seal the Can Properly
It doesn’t take a genius to understand why you need to seal or re-seal the tin properly can after you open it. If the can is not properly sealed before storing it, you will be surprised to find that the paint has dried.
It is critical to be extra careful when you open the paint can. Before storing the paint, check the can lid for any damage that may cause the paint to evaporate.
The Container Size Matters
Choose the right size of a container when you are preserving your excess paint. Do not use large containers for a small volume of paint. Doing this will increase the chance of drying the paint over time.
Use a Freeze-Thaw Stabilizer
Adding a freeze-thaw stabilizer helps avoid paint freezing. Before you start your painting job, the additive needs to be added as soon as you open the can.
Keep the Room Heated
If garage storage is your only choice, you should keep the garage heated. How can you do that? You can install foam insulation on your garage door and walls to stabilize the temperature. Elevating the paint cans or putting them on a raised platform will help avoid freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The freezing point of paints varies. Water-based paints can freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. On the other hand, oil-based paint’s freezing point is lower. Generally, they freeze at -4 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius.
Observing proper storage helps prevent paint from freezing. You must not store any excess paint in an unheated garage. You also need to ensure that the can is properly sealed. Then, store the paint at room temperature in a closet or cabinet.
In most cases, frozen paints will end up useless. The paint can be ruined when it freezes. However, you can wait until the paint thaws and do relevant checks to find out if the paint is still salvageable.
Conclusion
Paints can freeze, but the freezing point varies, depending on the type. Water-based or latex paints are likely to freeze more quicker than oil-based paints. When paint freezes, it will likely get damaged.
There are a few things you can do to try to restore frozen paint. These include thawing, stirring, and testing the paint. You may regain the consistency of the paint, but not the quality and integrity.