paint saver formula

[tom stapleford]

A few months ago I saw a simple homemade formula that would produce a

gas (probably carbon dioxide) that you could pour into a partially empty

can of paint or other finishes that would keep them from hardening. Naturally

Ican not now remember where I saw it. Does anyone out there know where

I can locate this? Many thanks in advance.

[Kerry in Fort Sask, AB]

Was it just baking soda and vinegar?

Kerry

[Wayne - Oakville]

Not a home made formula, but this looks like it might work for oil-based finished. I haven't tried it.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=30268&cat=1,190,44133

[Lost in the Woods]

The trick I know for keeping paint as long as possible is to store the cans upside down.

I've got some that are close to 20 years old and they're still useable.

They can still sometimes dry out, usually if a can has less than a quarter left or less.

They can still dry and when they do, tend to dry at the opening and work their way upwards. If you need just a bit for touch up or want to keep what's left if the can is not dried thru, you open the bottom, and pour into a jar.

For the best success, always clean the grove at the top of the can as best as possible.

Kevin

[billh]

You can buy empty paint cans of various sizes quite cheaply at Rona and transfer the left-over to a suitable sized smaller can so there is zero or minimum air in the can.

billh

[jer02]

Lee Valley sells an inert gas in a pressure can. I have gone through 2 cans in the last 2-3 years doing lots of finishing and painting. It works great. Just give a little shot in the can and replace the lid firmly. Six months later it still looks like a new can.

[J.P. Rap]

FYI, I tried propane once. It didn't work. The torch was just sitting there when I was cleaning up after doing some finishing so I thought I'd give it a try.
My can may not have been properly sealed, I really don't know but in any case, there was a hardened cap on the finish the next time I went to use it.
FWIW

[Jerome]

What is the gas in the can from LV I was just cleaning my keyboard with "Dust off" which is difluoroethane and was woundering if you can use that, I can get 4 cans for 8 bucks I think at Costco.

[Rick Thom]

Lee Valley sells an inert gas in a pressure can. I have gone through 2 cans in the last 2-3 years doing lots of finishing and painting. It works great. Just give a little shot in the can and replace the lid firmly. Six months later it still looks like a new can.
I've noticed this stuff in their catalogue too. Does it form a skim coat on the surface of the contents?
Hate it when I go to use some varnish from a previously openned can and it appears to be fine when applying and it turns out to be slowwwwwww drying or dries streeky.

[Lost in the Woods]

I thought that varnish was only good for 6 months once opened?

Kev

[billh]

I thought that varnish was only good for 6 months once opened?

Kev

Varnish is really a pretty loose term these days and what happens depends on the actual chemical compostition of the product. Most products, once the moleucules start linking together, will continue to do so no matter what you do to keep oxygen and anything else off them. The best you can do is slow the process down.

Even though it may seem painful when you purchase it sometimes the best deal is the smaller can rather than the larger when you consider the waste.

billh

[Rick Thom]

Bilh, I think you are probably right.
I generally transfer the amount I expect to use to another sealable container and reseal the original can. Use the what I need from the second container and pitch whatever is left. My wife wonders why her glass sealers keep disappearing...LOL.

[jer02]

No skim coat that I have noticed. Usually I turn the can over to store it. I should also mention it is the pure varnish or paint that I spray the gas into. Not a mixture where I have deluted it with minerals spirits. If I have some of the mixture left over, I toss it.

[billh]

Bilh, I think you are probably right.
I generally transfer the amount I expect to use to another sealable container and reseal the original can. Use the what I need from the second container and pitch whatever is left. My wife wonders why her glass sealers keep disappearing...LOL.

I'll tell my wife to call your wife for verification of my "story" that jar theives do exist!

I have started to use the new empty paint cans rather than the jars because I found that the jar lids would bet stuck. Paraffin waxing the rim helped but was a bit of a PITA to do.

billh

[bohdon]

no it does not form a skim coat on the surface. it prevents a skim coat on the surface. its a gas & most likely it is argon. (this is just a guess)

dust off??? i doubt it i would think that dust off is just compressed air.

the deal is you do not want any oxygen on the surface. thats where the gas comes in, it is heavyer than air so it sits on top of the paint or varnish in the can.

i've been using the stuff for a few years now....works for me. lasts fairly long too.

I've noticed this stuff in their catalogue too. Does it form a skim coat on the surface of the contents?
Hate it when I go to use some varnish from a previously openned can and it appears to be fine when applying and it turns out to be slowwwwwww drying or dries streeky.

[billh]

...

dust off??? i doubt it i would think that dust off is just compressed air.
...

No its not. It is mostly a propellant like tetraflouroethane but they don't claim it to be air free. Why bother, after all the idea of the propellant is to push itself and air over the device being cleaned.

billh

[Pete in Milton]

I think Bill is correct , it is NOT air as kids have been known to take hits from this and DIE!!!
Or was that an urban myth I'm digging up?

[billh]

I think Bill is correct , it is NOT air as kids have been known to take hits from this and DIE!!!
Or was that an urban myth I'm digging up?

No, it's true. The Dust Off company changed the forumula to prevent this problem.

billh

[Rick Thom]

I recall hearing that some put glass marbles into their finish can to replace the volume used so there would be less room for air in the can. I haven't tried it myself yet.
So, wonder how the kids will react when their marbles go missing?

[Ed in Leaside]

So, wonder how the kids will react when their marbles go missing?

When you lose your marbles, you're the only one who doesn't notice. :lol: