Keeping my paints in the garage shop in cold months

[mog]

Hi All need some advice on paint storage? In the past I have stored everything inside during the winter, however I’m getting to the point It’s just too much to move. So, I must find a way to keep the paints racks reasonably insulated during the UK cold months. I do have Styrofoam behind the racks, and a new self-sealing roll up door, so it should not be as cold this year, but looking for Ideas, if anyone has some input/ideas I would really like to hear it

[minitnkr]

I'd take the water based paints in anyhow. The weather certainly is no longer reliable. The oils should be OK as long as the temps don't get far below freezing.

[mog]

I'd take the water based paints in anyhow. The weather certainly is no longer reliable. The oils should be OK as long as the temps don't get far below freezing.

ya I know your right about the water based, which is much of my paints are every time I look at racks and the weather, I get a bad case of lazy

[Airborne01]

There is a horticultural gardening material, some sort of foamed sheet, that is used to protect tender plants when over-wintering, Might work if you pin it to the front of your storage shelves Mike, just a thought ...
Steve

[BattleshipBob]

Hi Mog
Good post, I am about to use a modelling room in my garage and may have similar problems although mine are mainly lacquer

[KarlW]

Have you thought of a green house heater to keep the garage above the dew point? The electric ones are tubular oil filled rads with a thermostatic switch so it turns off and on to what you set it. They are usually about 30w per foot in length, and come in various legths.

[BattleshipBob]

Have you thought of a green house heater to keep the garage above the dew point? The electric ones are tubular oil filled rads with a thermostatic switch so it turns off and on to what you set it. They are usually about 30w per foot in length, and come in various legths.

Good idea, I have bought 2 thermometers. One I the normal garage and other in the room. So far the modelling room is about 1.5 degrees warmer. Will see if there's any improvement after putting down a rug and left over underlay ( Mexican type )

[KarlW]

And as a follow up you can also get parrafin green house heaters, but you need to ensure adequate ventilation.

[KarlW]

Good idea, I have bought 2 thermometers. One I the normal garage and other in the room. So far the modelling room is about 1.5 degrees warmer. Will see if there's any improvement after putting down a rug and left over underlay ( Mexican type )

I have that eva foam flooring and have a oil filled rad on a low setting in my shed. It get's chilly but nothings frozen.

[Ian M]

I used an old refrigerator as a paint locker once. Worked out OK.
Adequate insulation in the walls and ceilings is a better place to start.
A portable gas heater can keep it warm in the ice clod winter.
You can also get electric grant House heaters with thermostat control.

[BattleshipBob]

Thanks Ian, will do more checks and if required look at prices of portable heaters

[Bugatti Fan]

Depends on where you do your modelling. It you use part of a garage for modelling it might be best to store your paints indoors and just take out what you need as and when.

[mog]

Thanks Guys all the imputes are much appreciated. In past winters I have taken them in

[AlanG]

Or. Get a flat trace heating element and run it on the surface of the shelf / shelves that the paint sits on. Would only come on at certain temps and certainly far more economical than heating the whole room.

[BattleshipBob]

Or. Get a flat trace heating element and run it on the surface of the shelf / shelves that the paint sits on. Would only come on at certain temps and certainly far more economical than heating the whole room.

That's new to me Al, will see I can find more about them