Shaking paint is reasonably necessary for you to achieve your desired results. It ensures that all the contents of your paint mix well before you can start or resume painting.
But how Long can paint sit before it needs to be shaken? Well, the answer to this depends on many factors such as type of paint, brand, and additives. However, it’s a good practice to always shake your paint either by hand or using a power shaker every time you open a new can. A paint that’s not properly shaken will only give you different colors.
Now, if you’re new in the painting world and wondering why you need to shake paint and when to do it this article is for you. Here is everything you need to know about shaking paint.
What You Should Know About Shaking Paints
Before anything else, you need to know that paint needs to be shaken at the store before you leave. Paint stores have a paint shaker machine specifically for shaking to ensure that the paint you’re purchasing mixes properly. They wouldn’t want to disappoint you on that.
And as mentioned above, you should also shake the paint before you start painting. The longer your paint sits without use, the longer you’ll have to shake it before painting.
If, for some reason, you forgot to have the store shake your newly purchased paint before taking it home, you should take it back to them. Most of these stores will accept and do it free of charge.
You can also shake the paint by hand or use a paint mixing propeller if the store isn’t willing to shake it. A paint-mixing propeller isn’t that complicated, you only need to attach it to an electric drill running at a slow speed, and you’re good to go.
Doing this will surely leave your walls or whatever it is you’re painting looking great by the time you finish.
Why Paints Need to Be Shaken Before Use
Generally, manufacturers use many ingredients and some additives when making paint. When these paints sit on the shelf for some time without use, these ingredients may separate. As a result, they may not provide the best results if used without mixing again properly, hence the need for shaking.
Also, some additives in the paint may have settled on the lower part of the paint can after staying so long without use. So, if you shake your paint before each use, you’ll be mixing these additives well with other paint contents.
Shaking Paint by Hand
You’ll find people stirring paints rather than shaking to mix all the paint ingredients in most cases. However, a paint that has sat unused for a few days can be shaken to remix the floating oily part with the other paint substances.
If your paint has sat for more than a week, then you should get it professionally shaken. Don’t attempt to have it shaken by hand since you won’t achieve your goal. That time duration is long enough to separate all the contents of the paint completely.
Using your hands will not blend them back together well enough, and you won’t like the result. Your wall may have different colors when you finish painting, and it may not take long before the paint starts peeling off.
Here’s how you can shake paint by hand properly.
- The first step is to confirm that the lid of your paint can is perfectly sealed. You may lay a piece of cloth over that lid then hammer it just to be sure.
- Using your two hands, hold the paint in the right position. One hand should be at the bottom part while the other holds the upper part. Use your arms for support if heavy.
- You may start with the paint can upright position, then quickly shift your hands to put it upside down.
- Repeat this process severally, shifting the can’s position for a couple of minutes or until you feel that the content is now mixed well.
As you can see, shaking paint by hand is simple but only effective on paints that have sat for less than a week without use. This process will get you the color you selected at the store when you start painting.
Shaking Paint Using A Paint Mixing Propeller
If you can’t bring paint to a professional for proper shaking and mixing, this device will sort you out at home. It’s the easiest yet effective way to get your paint contents remixed after staying for a long period unused.
It could be a little challenging to use this device, especially if you’ve never used it before. But with these simple steps, you’ll soon start shaking and mixing paints like a professional.
- The first step is to make a hole through the lid of the paint can. There’s an attachment in this device that you’ll be inserting in this hole, so ensure the hole is bigger than this attachment.
- After drilling a hole, the next thing to do is to remove the lid, then lower the attachment into your paint can. Ensure it goes straight into the hole, but don’t turn the device on yet.
- With the attachment still detached from the drill, replace the can lid through the hole you made earlier. The lid needs to be secured tightly at this point.
- To avoid any paint splattering through the hole during the mixing process, you can place a towel over the edges of the hole.
- Your final step is to connect the attachment to a drill then turn the propeller on.
It should take you just a few minutes to get your old paint properly mixed. Some paints may go bad if left to sit for too long without using them. To be sure, make it a habit to always check on the manufactured and expiry dates before opening any paint can.
Bottom Line
Any paint needs to be shaken right from the store before use. You should also shake paint any time you want to use it to get your desired results. The contents of some paints may get separated if they sit even for a few minutes without use. As a result, you may not achieve the right color you chose at the paint store, hence the need for shaking.
