Replies

1. 
   Cindi | Jul 08, 1999 07:11am | #1

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   Kirk:
   Anything that has been exposed to air has a shelf life of about one year. All stains (including wood sealers)and finishes contain some form of drying properties. Mostly Tung Oil. When you see your sealer become gelled the drying properties have gone to the bottom of the can and have begun to dry. The only method really is to take it to a paint store and get them to give it a good shake. This may or may not solve the gell problem. If you use only the liquid portion, you will run the risk of it not drying. My advise to you is to go and buy another can of wood sealer. Buy smaller empty cans to put the used sealer in when you have finished using it and want to put it away for a while. Make sure there is no air in the smaller cans when you close them. Good Luck.
   Cindi

1. 
   George_St._Embra | Jul 11, 1999 03:24pm | #2

   *There's a product on the market, the name of which escapes me right now, that might help. It's some form of aerosol can that inserts a heavy inert gas to replace the air in the top of the can. Again I forget which gas, but it is claimed to extend the life of finishes. The technique is to have the lid of your finish almost closed, stick the nozzle of the aerosol in the top, give a shot of this stuff, and close up p.d.q.. I have no idea if it really works, or if it is just hype, because I've obviously never used it. If I had, then I'd be able to give you the name, but I'm hoping this message will jog someone elses memory for you. I've not bothered with it because I turn finishes over so fast, that they don't have time to go off in the can, and if they do, I've already priced the expense of new stuff into the customers' job.Anyway, as soon as the finish is gelled like you describe, it's shot. Chuck it out, and buy new. It's nae worth spoiling the ship for a' ha'porth of tar, as the old saying goes, which is the answer to your question, just as Cindi before me said. When you buy finish, mark the purchase date on the can, and toss it out anyway after 6 months, just to be safe. Most manufacturer's put a 'made on' date or similar that offers some guidance, and some finishes last longer than others. Pre-cat seems to last for ever, but even so, I'm wary of old stuff if I come across it.