Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

March, 2003

Sour Paint Odor

Q. The paint that I keep for touch-up looks fine but smells like very sour milk. If I use this paint will the smell go away when it drys.

A. Thanks for your question. I feel fairly confident that the smell will go away with time, but if you have any doubts, you should apply some of the touchup paint to a piece of wood or other substrate that you can get out of the house if needed. Observe whether or not the smell goes away with time. If you prove to yourself that the smell does disappear, then go ahead and use the paint.