DH is a professional painter - he says yes.

I would probably take it back to the store and have it reshook again. They can do it easier than stirring and stirring and stirring. But yes you can use it. I found a gallon of paint in the basement of our rental house that sat for even longer than that and used it and it was fine.

I think it really depends on the quality of the product. What I would do is mix the two cans of paint together and there you have it. All the same color.

Helen

I agree with Helen, mix the 2 cans together just in case one is just a tad different.
Diane

In theory, they should match--assuming they were both properly mixed (I've had paint mixed by an idiot store employee, so it is possible that one or the other may not be 'true' to the color it's supposed to be, since yours will be mixed by different people at different times).

I was going to say to mix them, also--that way you know you have one, homongenous product.

Alternatively--if that's too messy, be sure you stop one paint at a corner or other 'natural' stopping place--that way, if there is a slight discrepancy, it may just look like a shadow or light trick.

I dont think the paint will be the problem, but your walls. Painted walls tend to fade. So the canned paint and the wall paint would probably be different shades of the same color.

well, here is my problem, We started painting about a year ago, Had some of the walls painted all of the paint bought at once. Along comes a hurricane and destroys walls with water. Has to be ripped out. We still have bookoos of paint left. Walls are now fixed, contractor says the paint is not good anymore. Would not match up to new stuff to buy. All the walls have to be repainted as they were all replastered and textured and need a primer over everything. I think contractor is just trying to rip us off. The paint in the cans did not ruin. What do you guys think?

"Contractor says the paint is not good anymore."

I think he want to sell you new paint. If the cans have been unopened and have just been sitting around it would be no different than the cans sitting on the store shelves.

Like others have said, have the cans reshook and mix them all in a figal (you would do that anyway when painting).

The recommendation to mix the two cans together is a good one. Even the new cans (when using more than one gal), it is recommended to mix them all to make sure the shade is even in all.
Paint can go bad if it is subjected to extreme temp changes or the can is rusted. I have used paint from a clean, never opened can after 4 years. it was separated completely and it took a mixer to get it blended again but it was good and looked exactly as it did when new.
The new can I had made to match was the same formula but it was slightly off so mixing the 2 gave me even color and the walls look wonderful.
CT

I'd look for an honest contractor. Mix the paint and it'll be fine.