Shaker cans leaking.

[James Maynard]

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?

[Danno]

Covid.

??

[peteski]

It blew a seal!

Seriously, the seal between the can's body and the bottom much have leaked.

[Mark]

Let me guess...Testors lacquers...

[youpey]

1 hour ago, Danno said:

Covid.

??

this is probably accurate

[Oldcarfan27]

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.

[NOBLNG]

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.

[espo]

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.  

[Ace-Garageguy]

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.

[cobraman]

Would it still happen if your stored them upside down ?

[Plowboy]

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.

[Deuces ll]

Good 'cause I have a few that leaked also... 2 cans of Daytona yellow and 2 of Inca gold....???

[Rodent]

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.

[Ace-Garageguy]

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.

 

[Plowboy]

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.

[RichCostello]

If the paint still sprays you can still use it, right out of the can. I've done it with no problems.

[Danno]

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. 

??

[Deuces ll]

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... ?

[Deuces ll]

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... ???

[peteski]

And I thought all Testors spray cans were all made in USA/Canada.

[Ace-Garageguy]

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.

[vintagerpm]

I have a can of Black Gold clear that leaked goo, only from the top seal.

 

Edited January 16, 2021 by vintagerpm

[Plowboy]

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. 

[peteski]

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.