My latest "Brilliant" idea

[Modlbldr]

Ok. So "Brilliant" is in quotes because, I rarely have a brilliant idea so I wouldn't recognize one if it bit me.

Anywho, I needed a place to store my paints so they wouldn't freeze during the winter and here is what I came up with. An old refrigerator. No need for it to even work. The price was right on this one (free) and after cleaning and sanitizing it I figured out why!

I finally got a chance today to make some plywood shelves for it. I know that nothing is organized but at this point it is more of a race against "Old Man Winter". I'll have lots of time to organize later. 

Now to make more shelves or get another fridge since I still have a ton of paint left to store.

Later-

[cobraman]

That should work !

[Ace-Garageguy]

Excellent.

However, if the environment the fridge is in will experience prolonged sub-freezing temps, the interior will eventually cold-soak.

Insulation can only maintain a temperature differential for so long.

If it's gonna get really cold in your storage area for days on end, I'd strongly recommend something like a low-wattage light bulb inside the thing, just to keep trickling a little heat into the system. 

A small thermometer will let you know exactly how much you need to increase or decrease the bulb wattage.

Just for rough reference, a live (resting) human body gives off about as much total heat as a 100 watt incandescent light bulb.

[keyser]

They make a great humidor if you like cigars too. 
Little ones like dorm room fridges work great too, can stuff in corner in house. 
Looks great. There are tiny space heaters you can run on timer too if out in garage. They’re foot warmers for cold offices. Cheap too. 

[peteski]

Interesting idea, but unless you have water-based acrylic paints (which have "protect from freezing" warning on the label), regular "stinky" paints *DON'T FREEZE*, even in sub-zero temperatures.  In your photos all I see is "stinky" paints. So yes, it is a clever place to store them, but no real need to protect them from freezing temps.  The gas propellant in spray cans might be less effective (lower pressure) when the can is cold, but warming it back up before spraying session will restore the pressure.

Edited October 21, 2021 by peteski

[Foghorn Leghorn]

2 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

a low-wattage light bulb

Yep, an incandescent light bulb gives off more heat that most people could imagine.

He could even pull the power supply wiring off the compressor and rig the bulb switch to manually light up the bulb when the cold snap hits.

 

[Modlbldr]

I had thought about a low wattage bulb to keep it a bit warmer. Still a plan in the making. The big thing is I got most of my paints in one area and out of my way.

Later-

[misterNNL]

Adding a couple cheap revolving turn tables inside that fridge finding what you need will be a lot easier than moving everything looking for what you need.

[peteski]

There really is no need for keeping the unit warm.  But whatever . . . .

[Modlbldr]

2 hours ago, peteski said:

There really is no need for keeping the unit warm.  But whatever . . . .

Well, with my habit of procrastination it will probably never happen anyway... Lol.

Later-

[Ace-Garageguy]

21 hours ago, peteski said:

Interesting idea, but unless you have water-based acrylic paints (which have "protect from freezing" warning on the label), regular "stinky" paints *DON'T FREEZE*, even in sub-zero temperatures.  In your photos all I see is "stinky" paints. So yes, it is a clever place to store them, but no real need to protect them from freezing temps...

While I agree with you generally, in my 5+ decades of storing automotive and aircraft finishing materials, as well as a wide range of composite resins, my experience indicates that repeated thermal cycling of some of these things does them no good at all.

Many automotive paint products, non-water-based, have been specifically marked "protect from freezing", and some hardeners will become grainy and unusable.

And you kinda never know what's gone to hell until you open it, only to find your $250/gallon magic elixir is now useless.

While "probably" not necessary, creating a relatively temperature-stable storage environment for this stuff makes sense from the "better safe than sorry" perspective.

Edited October 22, 2021 by Ace-Garageguy
TYPO

[1972coronet]

On 10/21/2021 at 11:03 AM, Modlbldr said:

Anywho, I needed a place to store my paints so they wouldn't freeze during the winter

You must reside in a geographic region in Spokane which receives less-than-normal sunlight in the winter ( i.e. , surrounded by foliage and or structures which cast-shade most if not all of the daytime ) . I mention this for a couple of reasons :

1.) Most people believe that all of Washington shares Seattle's climate 

2.) Even though the Spokane region is guarded from the weather and temperatures of its neighbours ( Idaho , Canada , etc. ) , the ground temperatures must be pretty darned cold ( frost and snow maintaining season-long presence on the north and east sides of structures , etc. )

In other words , I'm just being a nerd ; a dork . This kind of stuff fascinates me .

[Modlbldr]

I live about 30 miles north of Spokane in the wooded areas. We are at about 2900 ft elevation and get enough snow and cold temps for an extended period. We have had Temps already below freezing for a few days in a row but currently it is in the high 40's to low 50's with a lot of rain recently. 

It is not uncommon for us to have a month or more with sustained temps below freezing.

Later-

[stavanzer]

This is a great Idea, Tom!

I hope it works well for you. I'll second the Lazy Susan idea, for at least one shelf.

[BlackSheep214]

Meh... not something I would use for storage of hobby paints in an old refrigerator. Cold weather if stored in garage or other cold space can make it cold inside. But hey, if it works for you.... good for you.

But do keep us updated if your paint suffered any issues in that type of storage.

Edited October 23, 2021 by BlackSheep214