Life of Catalyst

[John Pierce]

Okay, so opening that can of catalyst for your clear removes the protective nitrogen layer.... obviously it will degenerate thereafter.

So what is the longest period of time you guys have gone between opening the catalyst and using it again before it's "bad"? I think I've used it three days after opening it with good results.

 

[rex]

It really depends on the level of humidity you have and how long it's been left open.They say down here 7 days is it but I've gone way over that.I think one for my good sealer is working on 2+ weeks now and it's good.Every time you use it open it,pour it,wipe the threads dry and tighten the cap back on.The longer it's open to air and moisture the quicker it'll go.I usually won't use the last little bit if it's been open for long though.Clear hardner isn't a problem,I burn up one of them in 3 days.I can't remember the longest I've used one but it was probably on the lines of a month.

 

[Pigpipes]

I may have a new world record to report. I had a little bit of PPG 2042 clear and a little catalyst left over from a job I did 2 years ago. Also had a little HOK I found behind some stuff that was probably a year old - it was lumpy. I was shooting a few test panels, discovered I was out of clear, so thought I'd just check the PPG and it worked just fine.

Now if I'd needed that last little bit on a real job, it would have been bad for sure...

 

[gc]

I have had some really long shelf lives by simply storing them in a fridge after they have been opened. Allow them to warm to room temp before using. This works for super glue also.

Good reason to suck down a couple extra beverages to make some room!

 

[4bear4]

I've used HOK catalyst about a year old and it worked fine. Sealed it up tight when I was done with it.

 

[DanS]

I have started spraying a compressed (I think it is nitrogen) that I bought on line at www.Smooth-on.com into the cans I open right before I close them up. I displaces the air(creates a gas blanket) and makes the products last much longer. It is called xtend-it. It works good.

 

[John Pierce]

that would be great -- I keep the open stuff in the 'frig, but some nitrogen would certainly help the issue.

I used some 2084 PPG catalyst last week that had been opened 4 weeks before and it worked just fine....

JP