I was looking to paint the window frames on a DPM kit this evening. So I started rummaging around in my drawer of paint bottles, and found a bottle of Testors Flat Olive rattling around in the back that sounded like a good color. Pulled it out and saw the price stamped on the lid - 30 cents. That makes the paint, what, 20 to 30 years old? Twisted off the lid with a little effort, gave it good stir, and it went on as if I’d bought the bottle new this morning. Huzzah to Testors! Thanks for producing a product so good that I was able to justify my packrat tendencies and store it away for a few decades before using it.
I’m sure i will have some stories to tell like that sometime. I already have some old Floquil, Testors et. al. that I have “stored” since about 1992 (that’s when I got into the hobby). I have often wondered if those paints are still good. At least I know that I can rest easy about the Testors paint!
As long as the container has never been opened and not exposed to direct sun light see there is a real purpose for junk draws paint will last indefinitely. I have sitting on the shelf in office of my shop a tin & cardboard container which houses a pint can of touch up paint for a 1927 Model T Ford. I would bet my last dollar that it’s still good, knowing what an old skin flint Henry Ford was…lol