Ok Eurothane Vetrans, How Do You Keep Hardner From Drying Out??

[chris coffey]

i know there are quite a few Eurothane afficianato's here, so let me bounce this question off of ya'll. A couple months ago, i bought a quart of Omni clear & corresponding hardner (don't ask..) but i have used this clear about 5 times, and i followed the basic rule of thumb about cleaning the cap and pour spout off of the hardner, making sure the cap is on tight, and doing it quickly so i don't expose the hardner to any more air then needed, i also stored it in a air tight freezer bag, and stored it away in a dark, room temp drawer, but my stupid harder STILL dried out. Is there ANY way, or maybe something i might be doing, that is causing the hardner to prematurely go bad?? I have been told by a couple paint guys that once you open the hardner, you are S.O.L. is this true?? any sugestions?? i hate to keep spending money on hardner if i can do SOMETHING, ANYTHING to prolong the life of my hardner. BTW, this also happend to my martin senoir eurothane as well. Thanks so much in advance!! chris coffey

[novadose71]

Sounds like you are doing all you can with your hardener. Maybe try pouring enough for 4-5 paint jobs into a smaller air tight container. That way the container you are opening over and over contains less to go bad. And the original container is opened once. I don't know if this will prolong the life of the original container, just an idea. Or, since you are in contact with some painters, ask them if they will sell a small amount of hardener to you(and clear). I have used Sikkens, Lesonal,Dupont,PPG, and a few of the cheaper brands of urethane . I use Sikkens at work now and the hardener seems to go bad pretty quick , yellowing as it gets older. PPG and Dupont seemed to last a little longer, but it's been a few years since I have used them. If I think of anything else I'll post later, I'm sure others will as well.

[chris coffey]

Thanks Rob!! at this juncture, i will take ANY advice i can!! Seems the paint shops around my down are fairly anal about parting with nothing less then a quart of clear and a pint of hardner. I can ask if they would, what is the least they will tell me, NO?? chris coffey

[djway3474]

I think the main concern is oxyegon in the can. I have a can that I opened years ago and it is still ok but I used very little, so no air.

I have heard that if you have some way to displace the oxy with another gas that it will stay fine indefinately. If you have a welder with a gas bottle I have heard that is the best bet as it is heavier than oxy and will displace it.

Good luck.

[Aaronw]

I think the main concern is oxyegon in the can. I have a can that I opened years ago and it is still ok but I used very little, so no air.

I have heard that if you have some way to displace the oxy with another gas that it will stay fine indefinately. If you have a welder with a gas bottle I have heard that is the best bet as it is heavier than oxy and will displace it.

Good luck.

I know where I get my resin supplies they have a product that looks like that canned air you get for computers. It is some inert gas (nitrogen maybe?) that you shoot a little into your resin container just before you reseal it and it is supposed to make your resin last longer by displacing moisture and O2 in the container. I've never used it because I haven't had a problem with my resin going bad before I use it but it might be worth looking into.

[Steve D.]

There IS an inert gas that is sold to be used for this exact purpose . It comes in a can about the size of a can of shaving cream . Also you can displace the used urethane in the can with any thing that WILL NOT RUST . Some urethanes will allow rust to form if they are placed in it (experience). I used to place galvanized nuts and bolts in the can to bring the level to the top , and then seal it closed . (I used to use the gas but found out this works as well if not better .)

Hope this helps ,

Take care , and see you around the clubhouse ,

Steve D.

[ramonesblues]

There IS an inert gas that is sold to be used for this exact purpose . It comes in a can about the size of a can of shaving cream . Also you can displace the used urethane in the can with any thing that WILL NOT RUST . Some urethanes will allow rust to form if they are placed in it (experience). I used to place galvanized nuts and bolts in the can to bring the level to the top , and then seal it closed . (I used to use the gas but found out this works as well if not better .)

Hope this helps ,

Take care , and see you around the clubhouse ,

Steve D.

I would contact the PPG regional rep and ask him.You may have gotten part of a bad batch of hardener. I've used Omni for years and never had the hardener dry out. I have had problems with contaminated reactive reducer(new unopened can) but usually the hardener stays good.one caution. when you are spraying, make sure your hardener is tightly covered as the spray mist will contaminate the open hardener and kick it off.