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I've always had a heated garage at my shop so this has never been a problem. I had some quarts of Porter paint from last year that I took home to paint the kid's wooden swing set/playground and didn't use it all. I left it in my garage at home which isn't heated. We've had some cold weather this past week and it got down in the teens the last few nights. I don't know if it froze or not but wondered if acrylic latex is damaged from cold temps.
I have some bright colors that I want to use again, but haven't looked to see what condition they are in. (forgot to pack them in the van this morning). Just thought I'd ask to see if I need to go buy new paint or not.
Sign-cerely, Steve
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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Latex paint can survive freezing, but it is not recommended and I wouldn't use it on anything I was getting paid for. Save it for the swing set.
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Steve, I don't know the chemical reasons but I know that paint that's been frozen is always sold off at a greatly reduced price. Here in Canada paint is always delivered to the stores in heated trailers from November to April.
-------------------- Rodger MacMunn T.R. MacMunn & Sons C.P.207, Sharbot Lake, ON 613-279-1230 trmac@frontenac.net Posts: 472 | From: Sharbot Lake, Ontario | Registered: Nov 2003
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I always bring my latex paints inside the heated office building before the first freeze and keep it in here all winter. To me, it's not worth taking a chance on painting a customer's sign with latex which has been frozen.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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I sometimes accidentally leave the gallon of white exterior latex in the truck when it is cold. I try to always bring it in to prevent freezing, as it turns very funky. Down to about 20 degrees, it crystalizes. I have taken an almost full gallon that got nipped and set it under the drill press with a stir bit for a half hour and revived it almost as good as new. Some small lumps, but certainly workable. Since my work is not permanent and only stays up for a season or two, it is not an issue, but for the best permanence, I would not use it.
Have heard that adding several ounces of alcohol to it helps hold off the freezing, but it is easier to just bring it in at night. Below 20 degrees, it turns horribly bad and is not reusable. Bottom line is keep latex above freezing. Oil based paints can take it.
I have often wondered about adding some limited amount of auto antifreeze to latex to see if that would not only help it survive freezing, but to also add some wetter quality to it for rolling and to add some 'easier to remove' when the window splash needs to come off. Guess I should try a small sample?
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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These quart cans that I had left over of Porter paint were less than half full so they probably took a hit in the cold garage. I will take a look at them tonight and see. I had a feeling that it wasn't good for it, but wanted to get some advice from you all. I have a project for some inside sign work that I was going to use this paint on. It will be better to start with fresh paint and not have to worry if it will start to peel off!
Thanks everyone for the advice.
Sign-cerely, Steve
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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I found this on a trusted site....cause everything is true on the Internet:
"Because latex paint is water-based, it will freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. If the paint does freeze, allow it to thaw and stir. If the paint comes together and smells like paint, it's okay to use. If the paint clumps together and smells rotten, the paint should be disposed of properly."
Back to me, when I had a partial 5 gal pail of Dryvit acrylic texture (stucco) freeze, the supplier said to dispose of it, not to even use it for sample pieces. Dryvit is like latex paint with sand in it.
I would send it to the SLO-MO guys, cause they seem to like blowing paint up and filming it in slow motion.
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I'm redoing my shop and left all my paints outside under tarps...they were exposed to some freezing temps before I could get them in so I asked the same question of my Sherwin Williams guy last week...his answer was the same as what Dave said above...if it smells like rotten eggs it's a throw away...otherwise stir it up and slap it on...it was alot of good paint...inspite of the Sherwin Williams advice I still feel a little reluctant to use it.
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Preston, I'm not an chemist, but I'd be careful about the anti freeze. Professional timbersports guys apply it to the part of the wood handle that's inside their axe heads. It swells the wood, like water does, but is better, because...
it never dries.
That's what they told me anyway. Spilled some on my truck the other day, seemed to verify what I was told.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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I painted houses for several years when I was a pup.
When latex paint freezes it curdles and smells like rotten eggs.
Open the cans. If it smells like paint, it did not freeze. If it did freeze when ya git done tossin yer cookies, you need to toss that can o paint too.
I have used several cans of paint that have been exposed to freezing temps, but did not freeze. Same life as new paint.
Once it freezes enough to smell bad you can add floetrol, and stir until it looks like paint again, and it will apply same as always, but come summer, it will blister and peel.
-------------------- Don Hulsey Strokes by DON signs Utica, KY 270-275-9552 sbdsigns@aol.com
I've always been crazy... but it's kept me from going insane. Posts: 2275 | From: Utica, KY U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 1999
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There's a good chance it didn't freeze. I've had standing water in my garage not freeze over nite when the temp dipped into the low 20's. The slab can retain enough heat if it hasn't been below freezing continuously for several days. Even then, it probably did not freeze solid. One paint chemist told me most quality latex paints will tolerate from one to two freeze / thaw cycles. Use the smell test. Me? I would use it for household projects or sign samples for your shop.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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You aren't going to believe this but none of the paint is bad! I guess they didn't freeze like I thought. They were all in a cardboard box together and against a wall on the floor. I was planning on using these colors for some indoor sign projects and some sample for the showroom anyway.
Good testimony for Porter paints and Sherwin Williams! I had 16 quarts that were at least half full so that may have helped.
Sign-cerely, Steve
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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I think in cold weather my water based blood turns into cottage cheese. I move like a turtle when it's cold. Even my brain funtions more slowly.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3814 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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