Most painting projects leave us with leftover paint stored somewhere around the home. We often keep it for future touch-ups or small projects, but we rarely think about how storage conditions can affect its quality.

Changes in temperature and humidity can impact paint over time. In addition, pouring leftover paint from trays back into the can, or squeezing excess paint from rollers and brushes into the paint container, can introduce dirt, dried paint particles, and other contaminants.

If the paint is still in good condition, straining it before reuse is a simple way to improve its quality and save money. You can strain paint into a clean bucket using a fine-mesh paint strainer or a paint strainer bag. Some people get creative and use old pantyhose, aluminium mesh, or fibreglass screening from other projects. While these alternatives may work in some situations, purpose-made paint strainers generally provide much better results.

Before exploring the paint-straining products available from Haydn and the benefits of using them, it is important to check whether the paint is still suitable for use. This helps ensure a quality finish and protects both the surface being painted and your health.

What to Check Before Straining Paint

Straining paint only takes a few minutes, but first you should determine whether the paint is still usable.

• Check the Smell
  Fresh paint usually has a mild chemical smell. Paint that has gone bad often develops a strong sour, musty, or mouldy odour.
  Even if the paint appears normal after stirring, it should not be used if it smells unpleasant. Mould spores may already be present and can damage painted surfaces.
• Check the Texture After Stirring
  It is normal for paint to separate during storage, with liquid sitting on top and heavier pigments settling at the bottom.
  This does not necessarily mean the paint has gone bad. Stir the paint thoroughly for at least three minutes. If it returns to a smooth, consistent texture, it is usually suitable for use. However, if it remains lumpy, gritty, or contains hardened pieces, it is best to dispose of it safely.
• Check the Condition of the Paint Can
  Inspect the inside of the can in good lighting. Look for signs of rust, particularly around the rim and sides. Rust particles can contaminate the paint and affect the finish.

Benefits of Straining Paint

Straining paint removes unwanted particles and contaminants before application. While it is particularly useful for older paint, many painters also strain new paint to achieve the best possible finish.

• Remove Settled Pigments
  Over time, pigments can settle at the bottom of the can. Even after stirring, some larger particles may remain. Straining helps remove these particles and promotes more consistent colour and coverage.
• Improve Adhesion
  Removing dirt, dried paint, and other contaminants can help the paint bond more effectively to the surface. This reduces the risk of peeling, flaking, or other coating failures.
• Prevent Clogs
  Straining paint helps prevent spray gun nozzles from becoming blocked by debris. It also reduces the risk of dried paint particles affecting brushes and roller sleeves, allowing for smoother application and better paint flow.
• Achieve a Smoother Finish
  Filtering out unwanted particles helps reduce imperfections in the final coat, resulting in a cleaner, more professional-looking finish.

Paint Straining Tools

There are several tools available for straining paint, as well as a few improvised alternatives. In this article, we will focus on the paint-straining products available from Haydn.

Disposable Cone Strainers

As the name suggests, these strainers have a cone-shaped design with a fine mesh filter at the bottom. They are available in convenient packs of five or bulk packs of 250.

Haydn offers two mesh sizes:

• 125-Micron
  This fine mesh strainer is ideal for water-based paints, basecoats, clear coats, and primers.
  Because the openings are very small (0.125 mm), filtering can take a little longer. It may also remove some metallic flakes from metallic paints.
• 190-Micron
  This medium mesh strainer is commonly used for automotive basecoats. The slightly larger openings (0.190 mm) allow paint to flow through more easily while still filtering out contaminants.
  It is also suitable for solvent-based paints and other high-viscosity coatings.

Professional Nylon Paint Strainers

Haydn Professional Nylon Paint Strainers are durable, elastic filter bags that fit securely over paint cans and buckets.

They are available in two sizes:

• For 1 L to 4 L paint cans
• For 10 L buckets

These reusable nylon strainers are suitable for standard paints, primers, metallic paints, and clear coats. They provide a quick and efficient way to remove contaminants while transferring paint between containers.

Final Thoughts

Straining paint is a simple step that can make a noticeable difference to the quality of your finish. Whether you are a professional painter or tackling a DIY project at home, taking a few extra minutes to filter paint can help improve coverage, reduce application issues, and extend the life of leftover paint.

Before reusing stored paint, always check its condition first. If the paint passes the smell, texture, and container checks, straining it can help you achieve a cleaner, smoother, and more professional result.