Please help!
I had to put all of my shop into storage for 4 years. It had to be done in a hurry and I foolishly packed away about $700 or more of finishing supplies. The area in VA was not insulated and underwent freezing temp’s every winter.
So, I have the following list of items back in a warm shop, but need to know what would still be OK to use. Perhaps just a yes or no from you on what I might be able to salvage would be very helpful. If you have any comments on the rationale, that would be even better.
Here’s my list of stuff. It’s a lot I know:
Gel stains, Watco Danish Oil, Watco Satin wax (liquid), Misc. Varnishes, Misc. Polyurethanes, Pore-O-Pac Wood Filler, Paste Wood Filler, Bondo, About 50 Minwax stains, Tung Oil, Solvents – Toluene, Mineral spirits, Xylol, Naptha, Boiled Linseed Oil, and turp; Waxes of all types; Aniline dyes in powder form; Brush laquer, Shellac flakes, Many paints- both water and oil based, Milk Paint in powder form, Antique crackle, Parrafin oil, Japan drier, White glue, Hide Glue – liquid and powder, Qualasole and Qualenru – Behlen, Solvent 710 – Behlen, General Finishes Seal-A-Cell and Royal Finish, Glazing stain, Gold size, Kwikeeze Stripper.
Thank you so much for any information – I realize that this is perhaps not an exact sceince, but I just would hate to have to throw away anything that I could still use.
–Bill
Replies
Bill,
The water soluble things like paint wouldn't be worth keeping. I would feel the same about the liquid glues.
Solvents shouldn't be a problem as far as I know, nor would the stains or powders.
Same goes for things like the wax and danish oil.
The cans of varnish and urethane can be easily tested by brushing a little out on a piece of glass and see if they dry. It may not even be worthwhile if there is not that much of it. If they have partially oxidized in the can and have a thick skin over the top, I would suggest just replacing them.
The shellac may not be good either. Make a small batch and lay it on glass to see how well it dries. If they have not completely hardened into a lump form that will be a good sign.
I'm not a fan of wasting materials but I also wouldn't want to redo a project because the materials were questionable.
Good luck
Peter
Thanks Peter,
You saved me about $400 so far. How about these remaining items.......
Gel stains, Pore-O-Pac Wood Filler, Paste Wood Filler, Bondo, Boiled Linseed Oil, Brush laquer, Antique crackle, Parrafin oil, Japan drier, Hide Glue -powder, Qualasole and Qualenru - Behlen, Solvent 710 - Behlen, General Finishes Seal-A-Cell and Royal Finish, Glazing stain, Gold size, and Kwikeeze Stripper.
Once again, I appreciate your opinion and realize that there are many factors that might come into play.
--Bill in Ahoskie, NC
Bill,
The items with solvents; stain, lacquer, stripper etc should be ok.
Same goes for the paste filler although you'll probably have a hell of a time re-incorporating it. Personally I would just replace it.
I would think the BLO is good, gold size, japan, paraffin and powder too.
I have no idea about the bondo but I don't know what could go wrong with it.
No idea on the General finish. The crackle if water based could be bad too.
One thought that comes to mind; you may not want to replace some of these like your finishes, but I can tell you it's cheaper to do that than use products that will be prone to fail.
Merry Christmas
Peter
Peter,
Thanks so much for the reply.
Have a peaceful Advent and Christmas season,
Bill
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