In preparation for moving to a new work area in my house, I was cleaning out a bunch of old boxes and came across about 50 old paint jars. Mostly Model Master but therer's some POlly S and other stuff too. Most of the jars were unopened and the ingredents were separated. By rapping the bottle upside down real sharp, I can make the ingredients start to mix but I'm not really sure about using this stuff. Can paint that is unopened be used after 5 or 6 years? And what aboutthe metalizers?

Why not? My oldest paint is a tin of humbrol orange I purchased along my second kit a decade ago and it's still perfectly usable.
Just make sure to stirr the paints properly. Shaking won't probably be enough. Put a stainless steel ball bearing or two (or something similar) in each paint container and shake vigorously.

I think the paints will be fine, but test them before using just to be sure. (Paints don't usually like getting frozen etc.)

If they were un-opened, Id really mix them well and try the MM or Polly S. Just use a test piece and experirment. Nothing to lose.

I have a lot of Testors and Model Master paint from the last time I worked of models. I stopped building for about 5 years and when I came back half my paint still worked. Some of it hade even been opened previously I think. Just mix them up will good and as long as there not real thick give it a try.

Old jars of hard acrylic paint can also be washed out with soapy water mixed with some careful poking with an ice pick to use for mixing. But as for the enamels I have yet to find something that will get them clean.

I can honestly say that I have a small 1/4 ounce bottle of Pactra Flesh from when I was 12 or so (I'm 41 now) and it is still usable. Just ensure you stir the paint very well. The pigments might have thickened up a bit, but as long as they are able to be stirred, they can be thinned and used. Good suggestion on the test piece too. "Q"

Hi Steve.
If the paints are well closed they have to work. It´s normal that MM enemels get their components separated after a time of being not used. I have a lot of MM enamels for more or less four or five years now and they work very well.
Badger has a really usefull battery operated paint mixer that helps in this cases.

I have bottles of Polly S that are 20+ years old. I just used one color on my Ki-61 and Ki-27.

Yes, if sealed well and no polluted with more thinner, they can stay good.

If you don't want the Polly S, I may like certain colors.

Hi,

I agree that stirring alone won't be enough. Do not use an iron ball though, as the tiny metal shards that can break off the ball will react with the paint and make a goo, so use a glass or stone ball instead (in spray cans there are glass balls). But basically if not opened there should be no problems with hobby paints.