Hi everybody

Does anybody know how long Humbrol paints last in their tins.

I have a box full of them, most of them are the "color" range and the rest are enamel. The color ones are about 10-11 years old whilst the enamels are 8-9 years old. I got these paints when I first started painting Airfix models when I was about 10.

I've been painting with citadel acrylics for the past 7 years as I have mostly done fantasy figures from the Games Workshop range. This explains the reason why the paints have been in the cupboard for so long.

Anyway now that I have gotten back into AVF modelling I am keen to re-use these paints. Will they be past their sell by date or does anybody think that I will be able to use them.

Cheers

Jamie

Hi Jamie,

There's one good way to find out: just try :-)
It is mostly depending on how good the cups were closed and stored after usage. 7 years should not be impossible for Humbrol paints.

Paul

Hi Paul

I'll take your advice and try them when I go home in 2 weeks (end of term ). I just thought that because they have been lying for so long that they might be useless as I've had acrylic paint dry up after a few years.

I'll get myself an Academy Stuart Honey tank to practice on as there is one going cheap back home!

Cheers

Jamie

Hi James,
I have some Humbrol paints that have been sitting around for between 20 and 30 years and they are still good. So long as you make sure the tins are sealed after use there should be no problem.

I thing I might keep them a few more years before putting them up on ebay :-) :-)

cheers
David

I have some that are 20-30 years old and they are fine, just take a little longer to mix up. OK... a lot longer. :-)

Well that's reassuring to know, I never thought that they would last that long

I wonder if there is a big demand for antique paint :-)

Cheers

Jamie