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Idea 2
Reviving dried-out paint
Latex paint is basically pigment and resin suspended in water. When it dries out in the bucket, it loses the water, but the pigment is still there — you just need to return the liquid in the right amount and stir hard to break up the clumps and reactivate the mixture.
What you need
- The dried paint in the bucket
- Clean water (about one part for every three of paint)
- Wooden spoon or wire mixer
- Fine sieve or nylon stocking
- Container for storage
How to make it
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1
Remove the hard film floating on the surface and the truly insoluble pieces — they won't come back, and mixing them in would leave granules in the paint.
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2
Add water a little at a time, starting with a small amount, stirring hard after each addition. Too much water makes the paint thin and low on coverage.
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3
Stir for several minutes, crushing the clumps against the bucket walls until it becomes a homogeneous cream.
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4
Pass it through the sieve or nylon stocking to catch the little bits that resisted and would leave marks on the wall.
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5
Test on a piece of cardboard: if it spreads smoothly and covers, it's ready; if it's too thin, leave the lid ajar for a few hours to evaporate the excess water.
Finishing touches
Revived paint works well for interior walls, furniture backs or a first coat before the new paint. Store it with the lid tightly closed, turning the bucket upside down for a few seconds to seal it better.
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