Replies

1. 
   jonsherryl | Nov 24, 2003 06:42pm | #1

   Fred, in my experience, mineral spirit based finishes (stains or varnishes) eat through ordinary medical type, white latex gloves. They make chemically resistant gloves (usually blue in color) that work real well. They cost a bit more per box, but they're worth it.

   As for trays, I often mix up small amounts of varnish with tints, thinners, etc for touch up applications...and the handiest things I've come across for this purpose are the aluminium "tins" from pot pies. I run them through the dishwasher to make sure they're clean and free of any crumbs or grease and keep a box of them (along with jars, coffee cans and other to-good-to-pitch containers) down in the shop. It drives the wife nuts that I'm such a pack rat, but I'm never hurting for disposable containers.

2. 
   Gretchen | Nov 24, 2003 07:17pm | #2

   I use kitchen rubber gloves with no problem.  I put my mixture in a glass jar with a screw top and make up not much more than I will use in a day. After dipping my rag in I put the lid over the mouth to prevent too much evaporation.  I use satin varnish and keep it well swirled each time to keep the flatting agents in suspension.  If I am going to put on several coats in one day I close the container with a piece of saran over the top and screw down tightly.

   Gretchen
3. 
   Paul_Snyder | Nov 25, 2003 12:50am | #3

   Hi Fred,

   The latex gloves have a short life when you use them with any solvents. A better choice is the nitrile gloves. Your local hardware/home center/paint store should have them, though they're usually a little thicker than I like. I've gotten a good deal on larger quantities of the nitrile gloves on eBay. I like the ones that fit like the latex gloves; thin and snug.

   I use the plastic take out containers from the Chinese restaraunt all the time. They're resistant to all the solvents I use, including lacquer thinner. And they come with a lid which I use to store different finishing materials for days at a time.

   I also use mason jars to store some materials (shellac and colored finishes). When storing oil-base finishes, a squirt of "Bloxygen" will make it last longer; it replaces the air in the container with an inert gas.

   Paul

1. 
   fredb | Nov 25, 2003 07:34pm | #4

   Hi,

   Thanks to all for the replies...

   Since there's never a shortage of plastic Chinese takout containers here, I'm happy they'll work for me. Regarding the nitrile gloves, I'm on the prowl!

   Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!Kind regards - Fred

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 25, 2003 09:29pm | #5

   Fred, depending on how often you buy at your local grocery deli or bakery, there might be a resource for you -- just in case you get tired of Chinese, LOL.  Our Safeway deli sells a couple of things that come in perfect lidded containers, which nest nicely so as not to take up much space.  My sweetie is a jalapeno-pepper fan, and those come in nice wide-but-short jars.  I look at food packaging a whole new way these last couple of years!forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)