How do I know if my paint is too old?

If like most modellers, you have an abundance of used model paints lying around, you will be familiar with the pang of trepidation experienced when you reach for a tin off the shelf to see if it's still useable.

Usually, whether or not it can still be used is obvious. If it still resembles a liquid, then with a little mixing, it can often be rescued, and most of the time will be as good as new. If, however, you are presented with a solid mass, your paint may be ready for the dustbin.

Sometimes, your paint will be borderline, not quite a liquid, but not quite a solid either. In these circumstances, you can often restore paints using an appropriate thinner. Be aware though, the more thinners you add, the more diluted your paint will become and may appear transparent, so expect to apply more coats.