[chipper67]

Ok, now, what am I doing wrong. I have been using a mixture of Watco danish oil with a bit of raw seinna artist oil paint as my finish sealer for my carvings. I store the mixture in a used coffee can with the plastic lid. It happened again today. I opened the lid and the mixture was just a big gunk (is that a word) of gelled up yuck. I tried and tried to shake it up but just couldn't seem to get it back to the nice liquid it once was when I first mixed it together. Did it get too cold or something? So, how do you all store your finish oil mixtures? And do you have the same problem I'm having. Note: I had it stored in my basement, which I didn't think was that cold, it is a finished basement (heated/cooled).

P.S. I was in such a hurry to get my carving sealed I went ahead and dipped it in the can anyway. WRONG. I should have waited. It was a mess to clean up with paper towels. I am not too discourged though. I just figure it is all part of my ongoing learning process, Ya right, ##!!%%@@.

[carver6]

Chipper67, I expect you need to store that type of material in an air tight container. It sounds like it is just curing or drying out as it would spread evenly on a piece of wood. If possible store it in a regular paint container. After the lid is sealed tightly, store the can upside down. This will keep air from contaminating the sealer and you won't get a skim covering the top of the product as you will if stored upright. Hope this works for you.

[chipper67]

Thanks carver6. I'll try that. I appreciate you responding. Never thought that about the lid not being air tight. This message board is great!!!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

you can get a product called "bloxygen" that you spray into the can of paint just before you put the lid on, it displaces the oxygen so the paint doesn't go bad.............

[AlArchie]

Your artist paint may have a chemical Japan drier in it, too, which would speed the gelling. Dave's tip on Bloxygen is a good one.......co2 will do the same job if you can find a pressure can of that.

Al

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Some finishes tend to thicken in the can because they react, or oxidize, with the oxygen that is already in the can. It's not really an evaporative drying process as with common paints. It's no problem with a full can or a nearly full can, however, as the can is used and there is more and more oxygen in the can the process becomes progressivly worse. The only solution is to get the oxygen out, either through minimizing the air space or displacing it with something else. Bloxygen, co2, rocks, marbles, etc. Anything to keep the airspace to an absolute minimum.