After a remodeling or renovation project, it's common to have a couple extra cans of paint left over. Because paint is fairly expensive, you shouldn't just throw it away, but since it can take up a huge amount of space in your closet, you may not want to keep it in your home. In this case, you should consider renting a self -storage unit to hold onto your leftover paint until the next time you need it. However, before you move your cans into a storage unit, you need to properly prepare them to prevent them from becoming damaged and useless for when you next need them.

Sealing the Cans

First things first, you'll want to make sure that you properly seal the cans of paint before you put them into a storage locker. To do this, use a clean paintbrush to remove any paint that may still sit in the rim of the can. This prevents paint from hardening and breaking the seal of the can. Once the rim is clean, put the lid back onto the can and hit it into place with a hammer or the backend of the paintbrush. This prevents air and moisture from entering the can and ruining the paint.

Proper Storage Techniques

Once the cans have been sealed, you can move them into your storage unit. Keep paint cans stored in an area out of direct sunlight, as the heat can cause damage to the paint and render it unusable when you decide to take the cans out again. Further, store cans on a shelf or table within your unit, and not on the ground. This reduces moisture exposure and reduces the likelihood of rust developing on the cans, which can eventually result in a paint leak within your storage unit.

Climate Control

For storing large amounts of leftover paint cans, you will definitely want to rent a storage unit that has climate control capabilities. This is because both high and low temperatures will cause paint to denature and become useless. In addition, humidity can cause condensation to form on improperly sealed cans, mixing water into the paint and leaving the paint diluted and ruined. A climate controlled unit will maintain a stable and moderate level of temperature and humidity that will keep your paint in usable condition for as long as possible, albeit at a somewhat high monthly expense than a non-climate controlled unit.