This is all of the paint I have, between 1/3 to 1/2 gallon, that matches my walls. I'd REALLY like to salvage it for touchups so that I don't have to paint the entire wall if I have to patch a nail hole. Is it possible to salvage this? The paint below that yellow gunk is liquid. I discovered it like this when I went to transfer it into a fresh, unrusted tin. This is a fairly recent development.

I'm not sure whether I should try to mix that in or skim it off. I guess I could mix it and then strain it?

Skim some onto a paint stir, let it dry, then go get it color matched. Throw the old can away, if the new paint matches.

I have TWO cans of "color match" that don't really match. I have to paint a whole wall. It's close enough that I can it's stop at a corner but I can't paint just a spot. I guess I can try ONE more time.

How old is the paint ?

Did it freeze ?

Is that an eggshell or semi gloss paint ?

Get a paint mixer and stir it with a drill.


https://www.lowes.com/pd/Allway-10-5-in-Steel-Spiral-Mixing-Arms/50427876

If the can is rusting internally it can change the paint color

Take that can, undisturbed as possible, to Sherwin Williams and see if they can save or color match it.

No, I had it stored inside the house. The lid of the can rusted. I bought a new lid to replace it… this is what I found when I opened the can. I'm going to mix it then strain it into a new can. I did try to match the paint… I have to try it on the wall to see how it works.

I mixed it with the paint blender thing I have and strained it into a new, clean can. Ugh, smells bad. But it seems I salvaged it.

Good news is that Lowe's seems to have done an okay job matching it. Depends on the light and angle.

Agree with Milwaukees Best Light the most but all thus far have good ideas

As for me, surplus is only good for pinholes, never for more than 2-4sf and is sealed air-tight, stored in indoors closet where HVAC is present.
Even then,

• surplus paint is perishable ergo why the annual sales to rid stores of it
• paint on even the interior walls slightly changes color/tints over time

So the solution to a future need to paint a wall would be

• take a paint chip from the wall in need to paint store to match
• apply their paint to the wall

If all else fails, know that each wall in a room can seem to have a different hue/tint by how all the lighting is cast on each sooooo if future paint hues can just get "close enough", it may work out just fine.

in the future, make sure the lid is on good and tight. then store it upside down.

I would stir that up with a stick to as uniform a consistency as possible.

Then I would paint a 8x7 piece of wood with two coats and let it dry. Try it against your wall and see if it matches.

If it does great. Go get that sample matched or use what you have there. You can use the original paint manufacturer if you want but the HD and Lowe's paint is more than adequate for the purpose you are intending it for.

You don't have the color tag from the lid do you?

To be honest, I have had paint samples match at HD and Lowe's that come out perfect. I wouldn't stress over it too much.

Lowes, so far, has done the best job of matching paint for me. The original manufacturer discontinued the paint base and they don't even have the codes to replicate it on a different base. From straight on, in good light, you can't see the paint on an existing wall. You can see it if you look from the side. I think it's a tiny difference in the sheen.

The can I am trying to salvage is for patching nail and screw holes... I don't want to paint a whole wall for that stuff. I think I'm good for now.

Take it to the paint store and ask them. They can also put it in the shaker and do a better job than you can with a stick.