Preserving left over urethane paint
 

Opened a can of left over bambalino blue Restoration Shop urethane paint from my 36 woodie yesterday. I had filled the gallon can which was half full with wire feed welding gas. Sure enough there was no hardened layer of paint on the surface. It looked like I had just opened a new can of paint. Anyone else try this?

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

A trick I use is to store used paint in cans upside down, it seems to work.

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

Just wondering what process you used to add the welding gas? Kind of reminds me of when I first started to work in a bodyshop. The boss told me to get him a bucket of compressed air...Sorry, I couldn't resist the comparison.. Bill

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

Is this "urethane" a two component (2K) product (needs hardener) or a one component (1K)? A 2K typically will not form a film inside a sealed container since the hardener (once added) produces the cure. I've stored both pigmented and clear 2K urethane for 15 or so years with no effect except clear may be slightly yellower than when new. The hardener is what can go bad. Hardener is packaged in an envelope of inert gas to keep moisture away. Once opened humid air enters and can slowly react with the isocyanate and become "seedy" or completely solidify.

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

Glass marbles....

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

You can also store the paint in a refrigerator but not freezing it.
Vic

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

Ya! guess that in Alaska you put it in the refrigerator to keep it warm. :):D

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

It hit 85 in Fairbanks today!

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

For 60 years (I am 80) I have always flooded paint, varnish, urethane cans with my propane torch gas and then quickly put the lid on. Never a skin. Latex paint doesn't need it.

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

Correction. It got 90 to degrees in Fairbanks today. You are correct. We sometimes put stuff in the refrigerator to prevent from freezing.
Vic

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

huge fart.

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

All I know is it was miserable working in the heat! I can’t believe I grew up in south Texas, I can’t stand the heat anymore! Give me 35-40 degrees and I’m comfortable.

Back on paint, I have put Saran Wrap over the can, then put the lid on. Works good, especially for POR.

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

Regarding, "Back on paint, I have put Saran Wrap over the can, then put the lid on. Works good, especially for POR."


I've used screw lid mason jars, putting a double film of Saran Wrap over the opening before closing. After about a year or so though, it still gets hard especially if the jar is only filled part way. Maybe I'll try propane gas next time. Seems like a good idea.

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

I do this if I have mixed too much catalyzed paint. It keeps it from hardening and it is usable for maybe a month.

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

Mig gas works great, never a problem. But in some situations I'll food wrap it as well.

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

I take it you don't smoke? Boom!

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

How do you think he got to be 80?;)

Re: Preserving left over urethane paint
 

when I bought our '41 ford in' 94 it was painted with original Lochaven Green. I bought a gallon of single stage about '95 or '96 and I still have it. In fact I used some about a month ago. Is perfectly fine