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.

when I got into the hobby around the end of 2011, I splurged on one of GW's "every paint we make in a fancy box" holiday deals. little did I know they'd revamp their paint line 6 months later, but I digress... since that time, I've been drifting away from GW paints and picking up stuff from other lines like vallejo. I still have all those GW paints though, almost all of which are full. what's the best way to store these so that they don't dry out on me? never know when one of those colors might be useful

Just make sure the lids are closed properly and just keep them from extreme heat.
IXLoiero95XI

Keep them in an area that's not too cold or too dry, if you have an attic/loft you could keep them there. I had a bunch of old paints from 2009 and I just kept them in a box on my shelf. Most of them were fine, but the metals went slightly gummy after using them again. A little water fixed that though.

Alternatively, you could eBay them.

Reaper paints last for 10 years stored on average.
Vallejo about the same. Store them in a shelf that is not too dry, at room temperature.

They will eventually dry out but most of them should last a very long time

silly question, but I assume I should keep them standing up and not lay them on their side or something?

Its best to keep them standing up, yes.

Give them a shake as you check the lids for proper closure - if you cover the lid seam with paint, you can somewhat effectively seal it off at a comparatively minor loss. Some people actually recommend storing pots upside down for the same reason. Doubt it does as much good as storing them properly (avoid temperature extremes, etc.), but it's advice I've heard from multiple sources over the years.

A friend of mine has roughly 45 paints frm GW that are 10+ years old that he didn't touch for 7 or 8 years. Sat in his garage the whole time. When he finally got back into the hobby he dug them out and of those 45 managed to rehydrate about 38 of them. The old line of paints rocked out i guess