James Maynard Posted January 14 Yeah I had my paint cans stored in my closet, they have been in there for years. I went to go get some out and use them only to find two of them empty with a sticky gum like substance at the bottom of the cans. What happened to cause this? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peteski Posted January 14 It blew a seal! Seriously, the seal between the can's body and the bottom much have leaked. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Posted January 15 Let me guess...Testors lacquers... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
youpey Posted January 15 1 hour ago, Danno said: Covid. ?? this is probably accurate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oldcarfan27 Posted January 15 They blew a gasket. From loneliness. I had some old Testors paint cans in the garage that did the same thing. I figured it was age, temperature and neglect. I threw them out. I do remember they gave off a bad smell as the solvents leaked out. I can't imagine having them leak indoors. Hope yours didn't make a big mess. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NOBLNG Posted January 15 I have one that is leaking from the bottom seal. I haven’t tried to use it yet, but if there is still liquid in it but no pressure, I will try decanting it and airbrushing it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
espo Posted January 15 I remember this being discussed here before. Like so many others I have also had this problem. In my case this was primarily with Testors products but I have had the same issue with Model Master paints also. The goo you mentioned would be around the bottom of the can and would harden with time. This may have to do with how long you have stored the paint. The problem cans I have are usually ones that I have had for a couple of years or more. I have been fortunate to have been able to still use the cans that I have. Stored at normal home temperature you wouldn't expect this to happen but it does seem to be a problem with some brands. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ace-Garageguy Posted January 15 13 minutes ago, espo said: ..I remember this being discussed here before. Like so many others I have also had this problem. In my case this was primarily with Testors products but I have had the same issue with Model Master paints also. Model Master is Testors. I've had similar problems with both. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cobraman Posted January 15 Would it still happen if your stored them upside down ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plowboy Posted January 15 It's a common problem with Testors. I think it's the propellant leaking out. If you have an airbrush, you can still use the paint inside. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuces ll Posted January 15 Good 'cause I have a few that leaked also... 2 cans of Daytona yellow and 2 of Inca gold....??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodent Posted January 15 Modelmaster lacquers are the only ones I have had the issue with. I have some "regular" Testors and some MM enamels that are closing in on 30 years old and they aren't leaking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ace-Garageguy Posted January 15 2 hours ago, Plowboy said: ... I think it's the propellant leaking out. If you have an airbrush, you can still use the paint inside. A lot of times it's the clear "binder" (sometimes called "vehicle") that the pigment is suspended in too. Binder refers to substances that hold the particles of pigment together in paint. All paints include a binder of some sort because this is what keeps the pigment in place after the paint dries. That's the gooey mess that gets the can firmly glued to wherever it's sitting. You may or may not be able to recover the contents by decanting; you might need to add more clear, and the paint might have lost other secondary chemicals as well. 2 hours ago, cobraman said: Would it still happen if your stored them upside down ? Good question. If the lower seal fails, you'd still lose propellant, but the paint itself might still be OK after decanting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plowboy Posted January 15 2 hours ago, cobraman said: Would it still happen if your stored them upside down ? Probably. The majority that I have had leak, leaked out of the top seal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RichCostello Posted January 15 If the paint still sprays you can still use it, right out of the can. I've done it with no problems. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danno Posted January 15 3 hours ago, cobraman said: Would it still happen if your stored them upside down ? If you're losing your goo, it could ooze out either end. (I'll leave that statement up to whatever interpretation you entertain.) Most people store their paint right side up, so most people experience bottom edge seepage. It's just following the path of least resistance, but gravity seems to play a role. ?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuces ll Posted January 15 4 hours ago, Rodent said: Modelmaster lacquers are the only ones I have had the issue with. I have some "regular" Testors and some MM enamels that are closing in on 30 years old and they aren't leaking. I should double-check the Daytona yellow paint... I just might be wrong... ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuces ll Posted January 15 3 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said: Interesting. All mine ooze from the bottom. Must depend on which shift at the Long Wang Dong plant made them... Great! Now I got Gatorade coming out of my nose... ??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peteski Posted January 16 And I thought all Testors spray cans were all made in USA/Canada. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ace-Garageguy Posted January 16 9 hours ago, peteski said: And I thought all Testors spray cans were all made in USA/Canada. I looked at several random cans I have. Some state "Made In USA". Some do not. Interestingly, it's the ones that don't (in my admittedly very small random sample) that are leaking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vintagerpm Posted January 16 (edited) I have a can of Black Gold clear that leaked goo, only from the top seal. Edited January 16 by vintagerpm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plowboy Posted January 16 20 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said: A lot of times it's the clear "binder" (sometimes called "vehicle") that the pigment is suspended in too. Binder refers to substances that hold the particles of pigment together in paint. All paints include a binder of some sort because this is what keeps the pigment in place after the paint dries. That's the gooey mess that gets the can firmly glued to wherever it's sitting. You may or may not be able to recover the contents by decanting; you might need to add more clear, and the paint might have lost other secondary chemicals as well. It'll still work fine through an airbrush. Years ago, when I still had an airbrush, I had a can of Fathom Green that had lost it's propellant. I drilled a hole in the can, dumped it into a jar, mixed it well and sprayed it. I didn’t even have to add thinner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peteski Posted January 16 3 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said: I looked at several random cans I have. Some state "Made In USA". Some do not. Interestingly, it's the ones that don't (in my admittedly very small random sample) that are leaking. Hmmmm . . . interesting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
