I just got back from the hardware store after a regrettably frequent occurrence: I went to finish a couple of cord wraps, only to find that my trusty can of Minwax Helmsman was not sealed correctly the last time I used it, and instead of a pint and a half of liquid goodness, I was greeted with a solid block of hardened urethane that would require a jackhammer to get out of the can.

So I went around the corner and shelled out $16 for a new quart, and while I was standing in line, I thought that there has to be a better way. And that if anyone had come up with a solution for this, they'd be a poster here - I think this is the most ingenious group of people I've ever come across.

I asked a guy at the hardware store if the stuff comes in sizes smaller than a quart (he said no), and I asked him if there was some kind or reusable container that would seal easily and keep the stuff liquid, and he said he couldn't think of anything.

Is there anything out there that I could use to keep urethane from hardening, and that would store it safely? I've thought of plastic, but I'm thinking that the chemicals in plastic might react with the chemicals in the urethane. I've thought of glass, like a mason jar, but I'm thinking that light might react with the urethane while it's inside (I think there's probably a reason that paint is shipped in opaque containers). I thought that a small metal gasoline can would be absolutely perfect, but the smallest can I could find was 2.5 gallons, which would be useless for quantities that are 32 oz. and less.

Does anyone out there have any suggestions?

P.S.: Please don't tell me to be more careful when closing/sealing the can. I've tried everything, and can still never seem to get more than halfway through a quart before this happens. I use this stuff about a thimble at a time, and there's just no way that I'm going to be able to open and reseal a paint can 200 times without having this happen once.

Might try this suggestion by Mr Kirkman. works with Permagloss, don't see why it wound not do the same for you

[rodbuilding.org]

Steve,

Great minds think alike. .....Now where did I put mine.... :-)


DR

After sealing the can, store it upside down. Thye liquid inside will self seal. I do this with all of the liquids I store. Paint, Urethane, Perma Gloss, etc. It seems to help.

Bill

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

For Permagloss you need a size something like a 1/4 pint. I can find places that sell them, but they want to sell you a case of them (hundreds of cans), but I only need a few. Anybody know who has them in smaller quantities? Local paint stores and Lowes and Home Depot have quart size, just too large.

I found some half pint cans at Hobby Lobby. They work good for PG.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

I agree with Bill.
Any time that you use paint or other material from a can, close the can and turn it upside down. As long as you have the lid on securely, the lid will keep the contents inside. The fact that the material is all around the can closure the seal will be complete.

This is also why it is a good idea with any CAN that contains a sort of paint and that has a groove in the can with a corresponding lip to drop into the can to seal - it is a good idea to perforate the bottom of the groove with several holes.
I typically use a 6 or 8 penny finishing nail to pound several holes in the cans groove around the diameter of the can top.

Then, as you use the material and have material drop into the groove from the brush, the excess material will go through the grooves holes and back into the can.
This will also allow you to completely get the can sealed. i.e. with no material in the groove, the lid will seal tightly.

But, even after this - still store the can upside down for a 100% secure seal. I have stored varous types of paint and varnish for years this way, and the material is just fine when opened and stirred.

Roger