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I'm very paranoid about my paint drying up or getting clumpy and useless. Does heat or cold make paint dry up while it's still in the little GW pots/vials? I paint on a small table close to the floor put I usually have my fan running and a lamp shining down directly above my little painting space, it's only between 10 and 12 inches above all my paint. I try to keep my paints in a little white box so the lamp is warming them but sometimes I need to switch around a lot and I leave them on the top of the white box in the light. Is this going to end up being a problem or am I just freaking myself out? I usually view all my things as far more delicate than they are (I treat my finished models like they are made of crystallized sugar and my friends hate me for it).

GW paints being GW paints will dry up over time, the new pots tend to get a hefty ring around the lip of crusty paint after a while. I'd say it's probably best to keep them in a cool, dark place, move that box away from under the light if possible, but don't worry too much, I've got paints from when I started gaming (1999) that are still usable.

Greebynog wrote:I've got paints from when I started gaming (1999) that are still usable.

That puts my mind to rest. The white box isn't fully engulfed by light, but I think I'm still going to move it... probably under the table.

Yeah, don't worry too much, if any paints do go a little gloopy or lumpy you can bring them back from the dead with some water and thorough mixing.

I've found my paints don't take much extra ordinary care to keep in working order. I also have some old GW paints that have been in my collection a long time; one of which, a purple wash that's over 10 years old. Every so often clean around the edges of the lids like Greebynog said, and make sure the lids are closed properly so that they don't dry out. Overall, they're pretty durable. Of course if you're like me, and live a 2+ hour drive away from the closest store that sells replacements then yeah, it's okay to be paranoid about keeping them up and running (thank god I'm leaving South Florida soon).

I too have some near decade old paint now, usually odd colors I don't get around to using much.

I usually add a drop or two of water every time I open a pot, and a drop for the ones I don't open often as well. This seems to help, but I could be wrong.

Preventive maintenance is key. I have many paints that are nearly 8 yrs old. I left a few at my parents house when I left for school and they dried up, but if you put a few drops of clean water in the jar when you see it thickening slightly you'll be fine. Don't for get to shake them too.

One more fairly important thing is to always shake your paint AFTER you have used it. This lines the inside of the lid with paint, and then if you have any minor cracks or gaps in the lid (quite common with the GW pots) it will seal itself with paint and you will get the 'crust' around the paint lid form, but it will protect the rest of the paint in the pot. The GW painting book actually advises you to do this as well.

In addition to this it is always a good idea to paint from a palette to prevent your pots from drying out too quickly. Open pot, take paint out and put on palette, close pot, shake pot. Then they should last for as long as you need them.