Possible to use old Zero paint?

[joelwideqvist]

I have an unopened glass bottle with Zero paint that is seven years old.
I guess it has thickened over the years and I read at hiroboy that shelf life is just one or two years.
Would it be possible to use it if I add the appropriate amount of thinner or is it other factors that get altered over the years. I've read that old laquer clear can crack for example.

[modellmaker.]

Hi,


Maybe it's easier to send an email to Steve Hemming.
He's the man behind Zero-Paint and Hiroboy
I'm sure he can give you the correct answer.

modellmaker

[gionc]

YES.

I used several old Zeros stored on their old kind plastic bottles: inside there was just solid stuff... no liquid, all the solvent was evaporated: I just added a good solvent for industrial acrylics (those used on 2K acrylic clear like the Zero, you may eventually use the specific zero paint solvent as well), shaked well and..... magic, like new. I don't know if it works for metalized Zeros also, I done on solid red and black.

[gionc]

PS: can't assure you that you wouldn't meet cracks or other stuf. it worked for me overa primer and under a clear.....

[mchernecki]

Just get more thinner/reducers from Zero paint and you should be fine. Just be sure of what paint you have as Zero has both lacquer thinner and basecoat reducer. Contact Zero and they will tell you which thinner/reducer you need.

[John18d]

Hi Joel

Yes I have still used Zero paints that I purchased back in 2007 with no problems what so ever.
I purchased a can of the "basecoat" reducer and add the required amount to the Zero paints to get the correct viscosity for airbrushing.

The paints are extremely durable and have a long shelf life especially since Steve went to the glass bottles with the plastic lid under the metal cap.

I keep my Zero paints stored in a cool dark metal cabinet and the Zero catalyst for the 2K clears in my refrigerator so that they do not harden prematurely.

Cheers
John