The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Paint shelf life?

I finally have all the creases, bends, rust and cracks repaired on the cab completed and ready for final primer and paint. The frame, suspension, steering, brakes, etc is completely gone through, renewed cleaned up and painted. I’d like to paint the cab and marry the two in place again. Then I could start putting things back together and clear some room in my shop. Windshield, steering column, wiring, seats, brake, clutch pedals, bleed the brakes, rear glass, headliner and trim, etc. My question is paint purchase. What is shelf life if I were to buy a gallon and only use part for the cab, doghouse and headlights and rest down the road? Fenders running boards black so no worries. Body will be boatswain blue, single stage probably from Jim Carter. Hood, sides, doors and bed still in progress and I’m slow… gallon or a quart? And would a quart safely do the cab?

The paint I bought from Jim Carter sat unopened for about 4 years till I started painting. Then it was another year or so when I finished up. The tech sheet said 1 year, but I didn't have any real issues. I may have used a little more reducer at the end, but everything turned out OK. I used a gallon and a quart, and I think a quart might be enough for the cab. 4 quarts will cost you significantly more than a single gallon, but if bought at the same time, would probably be fine color match wise and extend your shelf life.

Thanks. Though I’d like to be finished tomorrow, I know better and I work when I want and not if I want, anal and slow, but I’d like to continue bouncing around in projects so I don’t get burned out doing, say body work only. Putting some things back together motivates me and so many things on the shelves put on a finished cab would be great.

The activator is usually the problem when it comes to short shelf life, especially if opened.

What Phil said about the activator or hardener. The ALK-200 that Jim Carter sells doesn't need hardener, but it can be used. The trouble is that finding the appropriate hardener in smaller than quart quantities is very hard. I found some 1/2 pint cans on eBay, which is enough for a gallon of paint.

Buy a gallon or more, and immediately break it down into new quart cans. Seal them tightly. Air space in a partial can is what makes paint go stale- - - - -the less air, the longer the shelf life will be. Getting the entire batch mixed at one time will minimize the chance of not getting a good color match with smaller quantities mixed in separate batches.
Jerry

I found these and plan to use them on my next project.
paint storage bags

Has anyone used nitrogen gas in half full/empty paint cans?

I was wondering about using argon/co2 welding gas. Not sure if it'd be smart, but no O, or h2o.

RonR

I always (almost) flood the can with 100% argon through a crack just before closing the can. I don't know if it does anything but it makes me feel smart. Maybe someday I'll appear in one of those "old school guy taught me this" videos. It has to be better than my midwestern air.

I've put a piece of Saran wrap into the can so it's touching the top of the paint, then put the lid on with the edges of the wrap sticking out, That way there's no open air touching the paint.