Replies

1. 
   RSRose | Oct 28, 2002 06:03pm | #1

   Doc,

   There's no way to know how a particular mix of (somewhat) unknown components will react once exposed to the atmosphere. My favorite varnish oil mix is Minwax "Tung Oil Finish."

   Once opened, if I use the contents of a can in a finishing project over a span of about 2 weeks, all is well. After that, it's properties begin to change and over another 4-6 weeks it becomes unuseable -for me. It doens't go on as well and I can't get it to "pad" the way I like. I've tried excluding all air from the closed container, to no avail.

   On the other hand, other mixtures with tung, varnish, linseed, etc seem to keep well, especially if air is excluded from the closed container.

   It depends on a lot of factors - ingredients in the components over which we often have no control. Keep an accurate record of your mix, especially the source of each component and try it out once a month or so for a few months, or more.

   R

1. 
   KraigY | Oct 29, 2002 02:32am | #4

   Thanks Everyone-

   I agree that finishing time is no time to be a cheapskate.  My biggest concern was its use within a week or so of being mixed. Since I am making multiple applications to multiple parts of the same project it has been difficult to make up just enough. I never seem to be able to do this under any circumstance anyway. 

   Thanks again for all the great feedback-

   Doc

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Oct 28, 2002 09:45pm | #2

   Doc, it's safer to make only what you need and not keep leftovers longer than a few weeks. Leftovers should be kept in the smallest glass container in which it will fit. If the leftover was actually left open for a while and/or you actually dipped you cloth into it, I would not save it at all.

   Finish is cheap in the grand scheme of things so it not a place to be "cheap."

3. 
   Gretchen | Oct 29, 2002 01:49am | #3

   I agree totally with Howie--this is a finish I have used for many years and I make enough to "maybe" use for 2 days, then make new. It is just too hard to get the jar sealed enough to keep air out.

   Gretchen