Rustoleum Enamel Cans, Storage After Use

[scooternut]

So from time to time I regain my sanity and not buy any vises more or old tools that need restored. Well, after regaining my insanity and picking up an old arbor press, I discovered my rustoleum rusty metal primer to have a 1/4 inch solid top. This has happened to me with the paint enamel as well. I'd say storage on this was less than a year for sure.

Is there a proper way to store these to prevent them from drying up.

I do take very good care and am certain to always clean up the lid and can mating surface with acetone or similar.

 

[KMdef9]

Where are you storing them?

All of my paint is in the basement and I haven't had this happen. Some paint is 5 years old.

 

[lilredex]

In the smaller cans I just blow into them through a drinking straw to displace most of the 02. Larger ones that face long term storage get a blast from my propane torch (unlit), to displace the 02. Storing them inverted also helps.

 

[pendragon1998]

Your exhaled breath contains plenty of moisture and CO2, but you actually don't absorb much of the O2 you breathe in - levels of oxygen are reduced from about 21% to 14-16%

 

[XJPat]

Another vote for storing inverted, with propane.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[beamrider]

Any inert gas will work, argon works well from what I've heard. "Bloxygen" is a brand name, in an aerosol can, although I'm pretty sure any argon would work.

I wonder if pulling a vacuum would also work?

 

[rlitman]

Any inert gas will work, argon works well from what I've heard. "Bloxygen" is a brand name, in an aerosol can, although I'm pretty sure any argon would work.

I wonder if pulling a vacuum would also work?

Any inert gas or vapor will work, but the denser it is, the better. Bloxygen is mostly butane I believe, which is quite a bit heavier than propane.

I have a dropper bottle of naphtha, and put a squirt of that in cans of oil based paint before long-term storage.

 

[beamrider]

Bloxygen is argon, according to their website.

Still pondering if vacuum would work. Quart Mason jars are cheap, maybe I'll try some vacuum testing later.

 

[awdblazer]

put a cover on it of xylene
thats what is done from the paint factory

 

[lilredex]

OK, thanks for that, never heard of it. Another item to add to my bag of tricks.

http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/i...-78L-Xylene-Solvent/_/N-ntmg0Z2pq2/R-I1620681

 

[theoldwizard1]

The ziplock bag in the can does work, it is just a pain. Vacuum would be good, but how ?

If I had argon, I would use it.

 

[beamrider]

I'm thinking quart mason jars. Set up a lid with some sort of 1 way check valve, and use a handheld vacuum pump (or an A/C pump, although that might be overkill?). Only going to work on oil/solvent based materials tho, this method would ruin a water based material. You'd have to make a lid with the check valve for each jar, but I can't imagine check valves for this application would be that expensive, would they?

I know Harbor Freight sells a cheap vacuum brake bleeder unit, but no clue where to get the check valves. Or what kind would work. Still pondering......

 

[Warrenator]

Propane or butane is easy, everyone has a torch or a lighter around. The gas is heavier than air so sits on top of the paint and prevents the hard skin from forming. I just put the lid almost on amd puff a little gas in, then close it the rest of the way. Works perfect.

 

[scooternut]

Thanks guys, never would've thought of any of these. Though a few I still don't quite understand. The propane displacement through a cracked lid seems easy enough with my setup. Curious about the xylene though, as I don't understand that process.

Sorry, forgot my climate. Basement garage in a climate controlled house which is kept VERY cold, so controlled that I get tons of moisture during the humid summer when I open the garage door. bad for my antique toys and tools.

Thanks GJ!

 

[rlitman]

Put xylene in a dish outside and see what it does. It turns into a gas. That's what it does in the can too. A little liquid makes a lot of vapor. Think of how much liquid is in a Bic lighter.

 

[scooternut]

Put xylene in a dish outside and see what it does. It turns into a gas. That's what it does in the can too. A little liquid makes a lot of vapor. Think of how much liquid is in a Bic lighter.

Understand that, but not certain how it relates. So, you drip a few drops in then seal up the can?? Or drip some and wait?

Thanks again GJ

 

[awdblazer]

its not that it turns into a gas it is lighter than paint
so you put in say 10ml or so
it floats to the top and therefore the paint doesnt dry
i use to make and box paint, for any kind of enamels this is what we did

 

[rlitman]

its not that it turns into a gas it is lighter than paint
so you put in say 10ml or so
it floats to the top and therefore the paint doesnt dry
i use to make and box paint, for any kind of enamels this is what we did

No, it turns into a heavier than air vapor that sits on the paint. There is no need to wait for it to displace the air. It will still do it in a closed can.

The old school liquid barrier you are thinking of is done with boiled linseed oil.

 

[Rickss96]

A third vote for storing inverted. No exotic gas needed. Been doing this for 30 years with good luck. Make sure the lid and can edges are clean and not bent up. A thin dried up seal forms at the edge of the lid and prevents any more air from entering. Does not work as well if there is a 1/4 can or less left in the can, transfer it to a smaller container.

Of course now I have a bunch of half-empty cans of colors the wife won't use anymore...