How Long Does Water Mixible Oil Paint Last Once Open

After opening the paint tube, it is exposed to air, and the shelf life decreases badly. The time will be around 6-8 months. But, with proper storage, the shelf life can increase by more than 4-6 months. 

If the water mixable paint tube is not open and with proper storage, the paint shelf life can be 20 years or more.

In this article, I will explain the following:

1. Different brands of water mixable paint shelf life.
2. Factor affecting the shelf life of the paint
3. How to increase shelf life?

Different brand water mixable oil paint shelf life

	Default Shelf life	Shelf life after open tube	Shelf life can be increase after open tube	Grade	Note
Cobra artist water mixable oil colour	20-30 years	6 months	12 months or more	Artistic	Populer water mixable paint
Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Color Paint	20-30 years	6 months	12 months or more	Artistic	Propler brand and paint
Holbein Duo Aqua Water-Soluble Oil Color Studio Set	20 years	6 months	12 months or more	Artistic	More premium and strong color pigment
DANIEL SMITH Water Soluble Oil Color Paint	20 years	6 months	12 months or more	Artistic	Good paint
Grumbacher Max Water Miscible Oil Paint	20-30 years	6 months	12 months or more	Artistic	Good paint
Lukas Berlin PRO Water-Mixable Oil Color	Around 10 years	4 month	6 months or more	Student grade	Cheap but good alternative

I already explain similar topics in different articles, you can check

• How to properly store water-mixable oil paint?
• Water Mixable oil paint drying time.

Factors affecting the shelf life of water mixable oil paint

Some factors which can affect the shelf life of water mixable oil paint.

How many times have you opened the paint tube?

After opening the paint tube, it exposed the air. More time open tube means more time exposed to the air. The air causes the paint to dry out, losing its consistency and quality.  

Spoiled paint

Spoiled paint means which paint you already use. If you store spoiled paint with unused paint, the shelf life will decrease. 

Mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms can easily affect spoiled paint. That can affect other paint shelf life.

The quality of the paint tube

If the tube is not high quality and the cap does not properly air seal, it will affect the paint shelf life. 

The aluminum tube and tight fitting seal prevent air from entering the tube. 

Quality of pigment

Pigment quality affects the shelf life. The quality of pigment depends on such factors as the source of pigment, the manufacturing process, and the purity of pigment.

Lower-quality pigment weakens pain faster, and the result is color change and fading.

Temperature

Extremely high and cold temperatures are bad for the paint’s shelf life. High temperatures make paint very sticky, and lower temperatures make the paint thicken and hard.

How to increase the shelf life of water mixable oil paint once opened

Following some tricks, you can increase tube opened paint shelf life.

1. Dispose of spoiled paint as soon as possible.
2. Properly seal the tube after using paint.
3. Remove and wipe the extracted paint outside of the tube.
4. Aluminum tubes are great for increasing paint shelf life. Choose aluminum tube paint brands.
5. Store paint tubes in a cold and dry place. Ensure dry places are away from direct sunlight. The ideal temperature is 10° to 25° Celsius.
6. Take out a little amount of paint each time from the tube.
7. You can use a dry air seal container to store the paint tube.
8. For removing paint, use a palette knife instead of a brush because the brush can contaminate the paint. 
9. Label the paint tube and there note when the tube first opened.