Storing and preserving Waterlox

Hey guys. Project is going well. Have gone thru about half of our order - will need more I am sure, eventually. I have a question about the product. I will be gone & unable to use the waterlox for about 10-12 days. Is that long enuf to be concerned about storage of the product? Pictures are in the works! Sue

Sue:

The worst that would happen is that a little of the material on top could start to skin. As long as you strain the material before use, all the liquid is good.

The amount of oxygen in the container will affect the speed at which you might start to see a little skinning. A quart of material in a gallon can, for example, would go pretty quick, as opposed to 3 quarts of liquid in a gallon can. Skinning can sometimes occur in as little as 3-5 days, and sometimes it can go a few months. I generally preserve if more than a couple of days. I recommend you take storage measures to be safe.

Also, never shake Waterlox products that are packaged in the tall square can. They are in the square can for a reason. You can't get a mixer in the can because Waterlox doesn't want you to mix the product. If you shake or mix the Waterlox, it will be much more prone to skinning in the can, and it can cause finish problems from micro-bubbles. Just open the can and pour. No need to mix or shake. Be sure to recap tightly between pours.

The only products that need mixing are the Waterlox Interior Satin, or the new Marine Satin. If you are going to shake Marine Satin, shake it a day or two before using, then gently stir before each pour during your project. The Interior Satin Waterlox mixes easily with gentle stiring. Just be sure to drag your mixing stick across the entire bottom and all corners, stirring across, around, and then upward in a rolling motion. Again, gently stir before each pour of Satin during your project.

For storage of Waterlox products, you can pour any partial cans into smaller container(s), filled to the top, and covered quickly. That will store for a long time (months or years). I use small jars from the kitchen (pickle jars, mushroom jars). Label the jars for safety. Sometimes little small jars can be used in the future for small projects or touchups. Also, as you do the project, keeps lids on cans between pours, and pour any leftover material in pans or paint pails into a separate container to be strained. Do not pour back into can.

If you think you will use Waterlox on a regular basis, you can utilize Bloxygen Finish preserver. (www.bloxygen.com) Just a quick spray in the partial can, and Waterlox is preserved, and ready for future projects.

We look forward to the pictures. All the best.

Doug