Storing finish
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Does anyone have any tricks for storing unused portions of finishes? I think I discard more than I use. Some people put nitrogen in the can, but my impression is that after a couple uses, the can lid just doesn’t seal very well and I don’t think nitrogen would stay in the can even if I added it.
Ed,
You don’t indicate the type of finish you’re using, but I’m guessing it’s either Shellac or an Alkyd or Urethane varnish.
First off, wipe the chine of the can clean with paper towels or rag each time (dispose of properly to avoid a fire hazard).
Second and the method used by professional painter is to work out of a separate disposable container.
There is a product used to displace the Oxygen from cans of Alkyds called Bloxygen.
See:
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=63940&engine=adwords&keyword=bloxygen&gclid=CJ-Ft4_n18kCFdAXHwod6IQGBgFor Shellac and Urethanes-keep the container tightly closed. Some have used marbles added to the container to raise the liquid level and reduce the vapor headspace…but I’ve never tried that.
And last, buy in small quantities only what you estimate you’ll use in a reasonable time, or if you get a good deal, transfer to smaller containers.
Hope this helps.
Best,
CraigThe two most-often used finishes for me are General Finishes High Performance (a water base finish) and General Finishes Arm-R-Seal (an oil base finish). The High Performance stores reasonably well, but the Arm-R-Seal does not. As I mentioned, after a few uses, the can does not seal well for me and I think the solvent is then lost, leading to hardening in the can. Adding bloxygen won’t help because I don’t think the can is sealing. Wiping down the edge as you suggest will probably help a lot and then bloxygen would be useful. I’m also thinking of getting a roll of parafilm. When I first posted the question, I was wondering if anyone ever transfers the entire can to a different, better sealing container.
By the way, when I said nitrogen in my original post, I had bloxygen in mind, but I see it is argon rather than nitrogen. I guess you want the higher density to keep it from dispersing out of the can.
13 December 2015 at 7:56 am #133115As for me I close the lid tightly and just leave it, there are some finishes that have been sitting for months on end and some finishes my father has given me that have been sitting around for years. I can honestly say not one has hardened nor gone off, I know the consensus is after a year throw them away but I have tested and tried them out and just as good as always. The finishes I mostly and regularly use is shellac which is the only finish I do throw away after 6 months but I have been instructed not to do so by the inventor of ubeaut products who uses shellac and has manipulated it to the point where it is on equal par with polyurethane. He said that they are good for 1 year but his version is good for 2 years and the sanding sealer he makes which is made from shellac but to his specs is good for 3 years.
So you see if close the lid tight and keep it out of direct sunlight you shouldn’t have any hardening issues.
Hope this helps
13 December 2015 at 11:52 am #133116As you know, oxygen is the real culprit here. Some of the things suggested here I have tried with mixed results.
One thing I have just started using that works very well is StopLossBags
It is worth checking them out.Whenever I open a new can of stain or paint, I first use a marker to put a line on half of the lid and continue it down the side. This way I am always assured of putting the lid back in the same orientation. Then after the lid is off I use a number 6 finish nail and punch 8 holes in the groove the lid rests in. This allows liquid to drain back into the can. It’s still advisable to wipe the groove before putting the lid back on.
It’s not perfect but I have been able to use stains that are several years old using this method.
If there is only a small amount left in a can, I will transfer to a small jar to minimize free head space above the liquid.
Good luck.So, in taking better stock of my situation, I realize I really don’t have problems with dyes and stains and, for the most part, water born finish. The problem was with the oil born Arm R Seal (which is still so good that I’ll tolerate the loss) and, believe it or not, shellac.
Salko- What do you use to store your mixed shellac? I’ve been using a ball jar, like you’d use for canning because they are easy to use for mixing.
Brett- I’ve seen those bags, but they seem expensive. Are they really multi-use?
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