Resurrecting paint

Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:

No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.

If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

**djphranq**

I haven't touched any of my paints in maybe 18 months to 2 years.

Do you think they'll still be good to use? If they are dried out or something, is it as simple as adding a drop of water or two?

I mostly have P3 paints, a couple citadel (one is a Foundation paint), and maybe one or two bottles of Vallejo (I don't recall if its 'Model' or 'Game').

**Lord_Astaroth**

Well, it depends on how dried out they are. Typically if they are solid and hard, then no. If they are gummy, and you can poke a toothpick or end of a paintbrush into it and it comes out with paint on it, you have a shot. Adding a little bit of water (or alot) can help. You just don't want to add too much. Add a few drops of water and try to stir it. Do that until it has reached a consistency that you can paint with.

If you use any non-acrylic paints and use paint thinner to clean your brushes, there really isn't much hope for them other than buying new ones.

Hope that helps!

**djphranq**

Thanks for the tips... I also have a bottle of Reaper brush on primer... I hope that isn't dried up

**Nightbringer's Chosen**

I've managed to do this with a few of mine. Astaroth is spot-on about what is dead dead and what is still able to be resuscitated.
And do add the water gradually. It's painstaking, but it's better than adding too much.

**MisterMoon**

http://www.testors.com/product/137115/TES50496/_/

I swear by this stuff. I only wish it came in a bigger container. It's good for so much. Thinning paints better than water mainly, and also resurrecting old paint... Squirt some of this in the paint container, stir with a toothpick for several minutes, shake, take out "paint boogers" that won't break up, and they'll be good as new.

**Knightley**

I personally have an old brush (used for PVA glue on bases) that I use to stir old paints. But as Nightbringer said, its painstaking but can save you some money in the long run.

**Leigen_Zero**

The other guys pretty much nailed it, just add a drop or two of water, stir vigourously, add a drop or two more, stir vigourously, repeat until you get desired consistency!

I've even resurrected a solid lump of paint before, just takes time and effort!