Quick answer

Store Revell Aqua Color and Email Color upright, sealed, and away from heat and direct sunlight. Keep them in a cool, dry spot between 15 and 25 °C, tighten lids fully after every use, and sort by paint type and color family so you can find what you need without leaving bottles open.

A well-kept paint collection saves you money and frustration. Revell Aqua Color acrylics and Email Color enamels behave differently, so they need slightly different storage habits, but the core rules are the same: seal them, keep them cool, and keep them organized.

This guide walks through an ordered routine you can set up in an afternoon. It covers where to put your paints, how to label and sort them, and the small habits that prevent dried-out bottles and thickened tins.

Choose the right storage spot

Pick a location that stays cool and out of direct sunlight. A closed drawer, a cabinet away from radiators, or a dedicated hobby shelf all work well. Heat and UV are the two biggest enemies of model paint: they speed up solvent evaporation in Email Color enamels and can affect the consistency of Aqua Color acrylics over time.

Avoid garages, sheds, or windowsills where temperatures swing. If you live in a humid climate, keep a small moisture absorber nearby, but do not let it touch the paints. The goal is a stable, dry environment where the paint is not constantly expanding and contracting inside its container.

  • Keep paints out of reach of children and pets, especially small 14 ml tins.
  • Do not store paints in a fridge; condensation can form when you bring them back to room temperature.

Seal and clean containers after every session

Before putting a bottle or tin away, wipe the rim and the inside of the lid with a clean cloth. Dried paint on the threads is the main reason lids stop sealing properly, which lets solvent escape and air in. For Aqua Color, a quick wipe with water is enough. For Email Color, use a small amount of Revell Color Mix on a rag, then let the lid dry before closing.

Tighten lids firmly but do not overtighten, especially on plastic bottles, as you can crack the neck. If a lid is stuck, a gentle twist with a cloth usually works; never use pliers, which can deform the cap and ruin the seal.

  • Store bottles and tins upright, never on their side, to keep paint away from the rim.
  • Check lids monthly; a loose cap is the fastest way to lose a whole bottle.

Sort by type, then by color family

Mixing acrylic and enamel containers in one jumbled box makes it easy to grab the wrong one and harder to spot a leaking bottle. Start by separating Aqua Color from Email Color. Within each group, sort by color family: whites and light grays, reds and oranges, blues, greens, browns, blacks and metallics. This mirrors how you actually paint, so you spend less time searching and more time building.

Label the top of each lid with a marker or a small sticker showing the color name or number. When bottles are stored upright, the lid is the only part you see, so labeling the lid rather than the side saves you from pulling out every bottle to find the right shade.

  • Use a shallow box or drawer insert with dividers to stop bottles from tipping.
  • Keep a small tray for the colors of your current project, separate from long-term storage.

Rotate and check your stock

Paint does not last forever. Aqua Color acrylics generally keep well for several years if sealed, while Email Color enamels can thicken over time as solvent slowly escapes. Once a month, open each bottle or tin briefly and check the consistency. If an acrylic has thickened, add a little water and stir. If an enamel has thickened, add a few drops of Revell Color Mix and stir thoroughly.

Use older paints first. A simple first-in, first-out rule keeps your collection fresh and stops you from discovering a hardened bottle only when you need it for a project. If a paint has separated but still mixes smooth, it is fine to use.

  • Write the purchase date on the lid if you buy in bulk.
  • Discard paint that has lumps you cannot stir out or a strong sour smell.

Your step-by-step storage routine

  1. Pick a stable, dark location: Choose a drawer or cabinet that stays between 15 and 25 °C and is away from sunlight and radiators. Checkpoint: the spot should feel cool and dry, not warm or damp.
  2. Wipe rims and close lids after every use: Clean the threads with water for Aqua Color or Color Mix for Email Color, then tighten the lid firmly without forcing it. Checkpoint: no paint residue should be visible on the rim or cap.
  3. Separate acrylics from enamels: Keep Aqua Color bottles in one box and Email Color tins in another to avoid mix-ups and cross-contamination. Checkpoint: you can tell at a glance which type you are reaching for.
  4. Sort by color family and label lids: Group whites, reds, blues, greens, browns, and metallics together, and write the color name on each lid. Checkpoint: you can find any color without pulling out more than two containers.
  5. Check consistency monthly: Open each container briefly, stir, and add water or Color Mix only if the paint has thickened. Checkpoint: paint should flow smoothly and mix back together with a quick stir.

Products that fit this routine

  • Model Color - Luftwaffe WWII (8x 17ml): This set contains eight carefully matched shades that are ready to use with no diluting required. Because the paints are pre-matched, you can store the whole set together and grab it for a specific project without hunting for individual colors.
  • Gloss "Italian Red" Email Color Enamel - 14ml: Revell Color is a synthetic resin enamel paint that does not attack the plastic surface of plastic models, and it can be diluted with Revell Color Mix. Enamels like this benefit from being stored upright and sealed tightly; keeping a bottle of Color Mix nearby makes it easy to revive a thickened tin.
  • "Clear Gloss" Aqua Color Acrylic - 18ml: Aqua Color acrylics can be diluted with water, have a mild odor, and are not flammable. Water-based cleanup means you can wipe rims and lids with a damp cloth, which helps maintain a good seal and prevents dried paint from building up.

A little organization now saves you from dried-out bottles later. Set up a cool, dark storage spot, seal and label everything, and check your paints once a month. Your Revell Aqua Color and Email Color will stay ready to use whenever a new project starts.