Thread: Storing finishes? Stopping stoff going off

Originally Posted by Dougsshed

Another trick I've heard but haven't tried yet is adding marbles to the container after each use. This brings the liquid level back up to the lid level thus expelling most of the air. Marbles don't cost much either. Ball bearings would also do the trick.

Good idea, but you couldn't get them into (or out of) Minwax cans.

Originally Posted by Chrism3

Good idea, but you couldn't get them into (or out of) Minwax cans.

Ball bearings come in lots of different sizes

Another gas that can be used is CO2 so if you have something an old soda syphon around that would work.
It might not work so well on anything water based as these would absorb the CO2 by for anything solvent/oil based it supposedly works fine.
Nitrogen also works although the chances of having that on hand is low.

This is an on going and very old question.

most of the solutions are likewise old ...... most of them marginally effective.

Lots of finishes will degrade, regardless even unopened in the original container....... particularly the reactive finishes with metalic driers.

BY far the best option is to buy only enough that you will use it all quickly.

Air makes everything worse ....... another problem is the lids on cans failing to reseal for various reasons.

decanting larger tins into smaller ones right from the start or as the unused portion larger can becomes small enough.

I buy clean unused cans from my auto refinish supplier.

I am in the habit of buying a 20 liter of a popular etch prime undercoat, ..... I decant into a new, clean, screw top 5 liter mower fuel type can and pour out from that for small tasks.

cheers

This is an on going and very old question.

most of the solutions are likewise old ...... most of them marginally effective.

Lots of finishes will degrade, regardless even unopened in the original container....... particularly the reactive finishes with metalic driers.

BY far the best option is to buy only enough that you will use it all quickly.

Air makes everything worse ....... another problem is the lids on cans failing to reseal for various reasons.

decanting larger tins into smaller ones right from the start or as the unused portion larger can becomes small enough.

I buy clean unused cans from my auto refinish supplier.

I am in the habit of buying a 20 liter of a popular etch prime undercoat, ..... I decant into a new, clean, screw top 5 liter mower fuel type can and pour out from that for small tasks.

cheers

I use wine cask bladders.
Good fun emptying them, would have heaps more if they came filled with beer.
Simple with a large opening to fill.
Also use them for water when camping, fill them up and freeze in any shape you like and is usable water when thawed.
Cheers
John T