Saving Finishing Solutions

[Rockytime]

I use 50/50 BLO and mineral spirits. I also use some other things for finishing. My problem is, when I put those things in  a jar to save them I have a problem removing the lids when I use them again. So the question is how do others store these things? I am thinking of finding something like a plastic container with a plastic lid that won't stick when trying to open it. So, give me some advice.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Home Depot sells metal quart cans and I use those if I need to break something down or just need a smaller container.

[Rockytime]

Thanks John. I'm presuming they are like paint cans with a pop off lid.

[kmmcrafts]

For the first time in my life I made the mix of BLO and mineral spirits 50 / 50 as I've read so much about.. I mixed it up in an old gallon plastic jug of window washer cleaner for the car.. It just so happen i emptied the jug the same night I was trying to figure out what to use to mix it up in, LOL...

Now... that said.. It's probably going to have the same issue of the stuck top, LOL

On a side note... I didn't like the finish it gave on a project I did.. I even top coated it with a polyurethane.. Yuck.. I think the mineral oil and wax mix that I make myself looks soo much more professionally done,  and a cleaner less stinky and quicker drying method.. JMO..   

[kmmcrafts]

18 minutes ago, Rockytime said:

I use 50/50 BLO and mineral spirits. I also use some other things for finishing. My problem is, when I put those things in  a jar to save them I have a problem removing the lids when I use them again. So the question is how do others store these things? I am thinking of finding something like a plastic container with a plastic lid that won't stick when trying to open it. So, give me some advice.

I very seldom go outside of my box of mineral oil and beeswax once I found that solution for a finish.. But that said.. back in the day when I exclusively used Danish oil.. The top would get sticky from the spillage from pouring it out into a container to dip the work in.. then pouring it back into the can.. The top would get pretty gummed up before the can was completely empty.. Those tops have that darn " push down and turn to open "  child safe lid.. they almost never work after the first time opening it.. I ot to where I just used a pair of channel lock pliers and t'd grip that child safe thing good enough to get it opened up.. without pushing down LOL..

[dgman]

Hey Les, I do the same as you, however I don't have a problem taking the lid off. Yes, it does take a little effort, but I can always take it off. I have a rubber band clamp that is used for removing kitchen jar lids like mayonnaise jars. Perhaps that might work for you.

[Rockytime]

Mayo jars, thanks Dan. I use lots of mayo so I can get all my cholesterol in one shot. I'll save them. I'm thinking I could place wax paper on the top before screwing on the lid. I also like to see through the glass.

[woodduck]

I use a wine bottle with a screw cap & just give the top a wipe before rescrewing the cap back on.The best part is emptying the original contents.

[Ron Johnson]

Have you tried applying a very light coat of lubricant to inside of lid Les? 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

1 hour ago, kmmcrafts said:

I very seldom go outside of my box of mineral oil and beeswax once I found that solution for a finish.. But that said.. back in the day when I exclusively used Danish oil.. The top would get sticky from the spillage from pouring it out into a container to dip the work in.. then pouring it back into the can.. The top would get pretty gummed up before the can was completely empty.. Those tops have that darn " push down and turn to open "  child safe lid.. they almost never work after the first time opening it.. I ot to where I just used a pair of channel lock pliers and t'd grip that child safe thing good enough to get it opened up.. without pushing down LOL..

The very first thing I do with those cans is cut that plastic ring off. When a can of Danish oil gets gummed up I usually have other cans of mineral spirits or acetone that I empty and just save the caps. Those cans at HD do come with lids and can get in quart or gallon. I will usually put left over room paints in them and label. When I pour danish oil back in can I use a funnel designated for this. I am constantly pouring in and out of those cans. I love my Watco Danish oil. When Home Depot stopped carrying it and Watco stopped making it I was a maniac going from Homer to Homer buying up all I could and I still have some left which I am guessing maybe 25 years ago. The new stuff when they got so many people screaming for it and brought it back on line they changed the formula to meet certain guide lines and it is not quite the same but still good stuff. 

Edited April 4, 2018 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[WayneMahler]

Something you can do for keeping the lids so they twist off easily is to wrap the threads of the jar with Teflon tape. Same stuff used for plumbing. Finish won't stick to it so opening and closing is good. If the tape wears thin or anything just re-wrap the threads on the jar and your good to go. I learned this one the hard way while using canning or mason jars to keep special blends in. Wrap the clockwise and apply about 3 layers of tape seemed to work best for me.

[new2woodwrk]

I haven't started to mix finishes yet since I have no idea what to mix and what the outcomes would be.

However, I wanted to jump in an offer that I never allow glass jars in the shop - only plastic!

I had a few drop and the contents went everywhere. Since then we save every type of clear plastic container that would hold something or other for the shop.

We save Plastic only:

• Peanut butter jars
• Mayo jars
• Pickle Jars
• Coleslaw containers - like you get from a deli
• Condiment containers - you know the small ones you get at fast food places with the tops - these work really well for paints and stuff
• Parmesan jars
• Coffee containers - large, Medium and small
• And more...

 

Edited April 4, 2018 by new2woodwrk

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Some plastics can break down with finishes that have minerals spirits and other mixtures. Waterbase no so much.

[kmmcrafts]

29 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Some plastics can break down with finishes that have minerals spirits and other mixtures. Waterbase no so much.

Yeah, I thought about that as I was pouring in my mix of mineral spirits and BLO into the old windshield washer jug.. Been keeping an eye on it and so far so good... but it's only been a couple weeks.. so who knows.. Guess I need to use it up.. I like the metal can idea best.. I didn't know you could buy empty ones..  

[NC Scroller]

2 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

Yeah, I thought about that as I was pouring in my mix of mineral spirits and BLO into the old windshield washer jug.. Been keeping an eye on it and so far so good... but it's only been a couple weeks.. so who knows.. Guess I need to use it up.. I like the metal can idea best.. I didn't know you could buy empty ones..  

Lowes sells them too.  As does some hardware and paint stores.

[OCtoolguy]

18 hours ago, Rockytime said:

Mayo jars, thanks Dan. I use lots of mayo so I can get all my cholesterol in one shot. I'll save them. I'm thinking I could place wax paper on the top before screwing on the lid. I also like to see through the glass.

Well, there went my suggestion. Wax paper will do the trick.

Ray