After painting your condo, saving the paint is important. More than likely, the walls, doors, and trim will get dings, scrapes, and other marks over time that may not be removed with soap and water. A quick brush-up with left-over paint will make a wall look like new.

Here are some tips to make the most of your paint:

1. Store paint in a cool room (see the paint packaging for the ideal temperature range). Paint should not be stored in conditions that are either too hot or too cold. (One client actually put them outside in the freezing cold, which is not a good idea).
2. Be sure to shake and stir your paint well, especially after it has been sitting for a long period of time.
3. Use a good roller cover and brush…and don’t skimp. Cheap covers and brushes make a paint job look terrible, and it is easy to tell these from unevenness and splatter marks, for example. I like using Purdy roller covers (about $2.50 to $3.00 per cover) and Purdy paint brushes, which are both available at Home Depot.
4. Be sure to clean the recessed rim of the can top, so that the lid can close properly. Too much gunk will create air gaps, which may quickly dry out the paint in the can. Also, residue and old paint flecks may fall from the paint lid or rim into the paint, creating problems during the paint job.