Oil paint resurrection?

[mrbigstuff]

Separated, of course, from sitting. But although I can move it all around, the paint is quite thick and heavy. Thinning is called for, but I don't want to thin too much. Move to a larger container and hope for the best? Any reliable methods you folks use?

[rgG]

It’s probably not really usable, when it gets to that state, but you can either stir the hell out of it, preferably with a drill attachment, or make sure the top is on really good and see if you can get them to shake it for you at your local HD paint counter. We would shake cans for people, IF the lid could be securely attached.
I would even tape those types of brought in cans, as you do not want to clean a paint shaker where the lid has come loose. Been there, done that.

[mrbigstuff]

:-(
and it's exactly the paint I need. and, I hate not using something that will end up being "recycled" somewhere, probably by dubious means (hello, landfill).

[rgG]

mrbigstuff wrote:
:-(
and it's exactly the paint I need. and, I hate not using something that will end up being "recycled" somewhere, probably by dubious means (hello, landfill).

Well, I would give it a shot.
Just mix it really, really well.
If you thin it, it could change the color.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

It depends on the use and how old. If it's over 3 years old, I would expect the base/carrier oil has partly oxidized and the lightest fractions have evaporated.

Rotate it 90 degrees every day to try and get the pigment off the solid layer in the bottom. If your local paint store/Homies will shake it up, pour in a little thinner first.

Try it on an inconspicuous location and see how it dries. From my experience with trying to use old paint that my dad would never throw out, I would guess that the oxidized carrier will result in a sticky finish that doesn't dry.

[Diana]

If this were artist’s oil paints, I would say try a small amount of colorless linseed oil to thin it. HOWEVER this is NOT artist’s oil paint. The medium used for spreadability can vary significantly from one vendor to another, and as noted above adding something to thin the paint has a distinct probability of altering the color depending on what you use to thin it. It will affect how translucent it is; it can affect the overall finish (shiny or not); texture will be affected.

If this were me (and it isn’t) I would take a small amount and thin it slightly using whatever appeared appropriate. Certainly don’t do the entire can without investigating it first! I would then take my small amount and apply it, checking what it does and if it’s acceptable then I might go forward. The other alternative is to take the paint code that may be printed on the top of the can to your local paint store and see if they can reproduce it.

Whatever you do be aware that the paint on the walls (or whatever) could have changed color over time and you may never get it right.

Good luck.

[mrbigstuff]

Sorry, it's a white color. I should have stated that. The color is not all that important as long as I can get it to thin enough, as I'll just buy another gallon if I need, but I may have enough for the whole job with just one gallon.

[Michael]

rgG wrote:
If you thin it, it could change the color.

Last year my wife wanted to repaint the tops of our porch rails. I pulled out the several-year-old Behr Premium Ultra Pure White latex semigloss paint and it was thick, so I thinned it with water. She painted--job done. Months later we realized that the paint was a rather pretty shade of light tan! So, I bought another can and we repainted and it's fine.

Who woulda' thunk?