As any serious painter knows, quality mediums are essential for achieving professional results. Gamblin's popular painting mediums like Galkyd, Galkyd Lite, and Neo Megilp have become staples in artists' studios across Australia. However, once you break that factory seal, the clock starts ticking on your medium's freshness.

Understanding why these mediums change over time can help you preserve them properly and get the most value from your investment.

Why Gamblin Mediums Dry Out

Gamblin painting mediums are crafted with alkyd resin (a polymerised soybean oil) and Gamsol, their signature mild odourless mineral spirits. The moment you remove that factory seal, you're initiating a drying process that happens in two stages: first through solvent evaporation, then through oxidation.

Even with the cap secured tightly, that air space in your newly opened bottle allows some solvent to evaporate and the medium to begin drying. As you use the medium over time, the air space grows larger, accelerating the drying process of what remains.

Gamblin's Top 7 Preservation Tips

Here are the expert recommendations straight from Gamblin to help maintain your alkyd resin mediums once opened:

1. Store Your Bottles Upside Down

Secure that cap tightly and flip your bottle. Gamblin's testing has proven that upside-down storage creates the best vapour lock, limiting air flow in and solvent evaporation out. It might feel odd at first, but this simple trick works wonders.

2. Check Viscosity Before Every Use

Make it a habit to tip your bottle and assess the medium's consistency before each painting session. If it appears even slightly thickened, add a small amount of Gamsol and shake thoroughly until it returns to its original flow. Managing viscosity from day one ensures maximum shelf life.

3. Choose the Right Size

If you find larger bottles drying out before you can finish them, consider purchasing smaller sizes next time. It's better to buy fresh medium more frequently than waste money on dried-out product.

4. Pour Only What You Need

When decanting medium into a separate container, pour out only what you'll use in a single painting session. This minimises air exposure to the remaining medium in the bottle.

5. Keep Those Threads Clean

Wipe the bottle threads clean after every pour. Dried medium on the threads can prevent proper sealing, allowing air to enter and accelerate the drying process.

6. Maintain That Cap Liner

Gamblin bottle caps include a liner insert; make sure this stays in place to ensure an airtight fit. Without it, your seal won't be effective.

7. Store in Daylight

Keep your painting mediums in daylight to maintain their lighter colour. All drying oils and alkyd resin mediums will deepen when stored in darkness, which can affect your colour mixing.

Making Your Investment Last

These preservation techniques aren't just about saving money; they're about maintaining the consistency and quality that makes Gamblin mediums so reliable. Fresh medium flows better, mixes more predictably, and gives you the working time you expect.

At Art Shed Brisbane, we understand that quality materials are an investment in your artistic practice. By following these expert tips from Gamblin, you'll ensure every drop of medium performs at its best, session after session.

Ready to stock up on fresh Gamblin mediums? Visit us in-store or browse our extensive range online to find the perfect medium for your next masterpiece.