Stain goes bad?

[new2woodwrk]

We've had a few small cans of Minwax stain and prestain go bad - is this normal?

The pre-stain coagulated.

The 2 other stains seem to separate and stirring would not re-blend them.

The cans were not that old - less than a few months

Thoughts?

Thanks in  advance

Edited March 25, 2018 by new2woodwrk

[Dan]

Yes they can go bad. Most stores rotate there stock so you should have gotten fresh cans. But there's always a chance the stains may have sat there a while. But, an unopened can should be good for many years. Mostly they go bad if opened and partially used as exposure to air and foreign substances will cause them to go bad sooner. If you just opened them for the first time and have the receipt I'd take them back to the store. If not, please dispose of them properly. 

[new2woodwrk]

8 minutes ago, Dan said:

.... If not, please dispose of them properly. 

Thanks Dan - and how would that be?

[spotsdad]

There should be a hazardous waste collection spot in your city. We have them in Canada. Usually and the landfill site 

[Dan]

You would have to check with your state EPA on disposal. I have poured small amounts on cardboard and let dry. Once dry you can usually toss the cardboard in the trash. 

Edited March 25, 2018 by Dan

[new2woodwrk]

1 hour ago, spotsdad said:

There should be a hazardous waste collection spot in your city. We have them in Canada. Usually and the landfill site 

Nearest landfill is 40 miles away

I'll use Dan's method and toss it

[spirithorse]

Good tip on pouring the stain onto cardboard. I never thought of that.
When my stain goes bad it is usually so coagulated, gelled or dried out
that I just pitch it in the landfill trash.

Jes, you can slow down how fast your stain goes bad by making sure the
can is sealed tightly again after opening it and try to keep it in a temperature
controlled environment if possible.
Mine is just kept in the garage and I don't always keep it heated so, during the
winter months the stain is probably getting very cold and then heats up again
in the summer months. That's why I have so much of it go bad.

God Bless! Spirithorse

 

[new2woodwrk]

Thanks Spirit - problem is I live in Florida and the recent temperature extremes have probably exacerbated this issue.

My shop is in the garage (1/2) and my stains and liquids are in a cabinet on the wall - in summer around July/August I can barely stand to be out there it's so freakin humid and hot.

I think this year though now that the wife is getting into scrolling she may be up for springing for a portable A/C unit. I have a window A/C unit I tried to set up 2 years ago, but while it kinda worked I had to build a separate wall to isolate part of the shop so was a real pita

Not sure why I just went into that long soliloquy LOL but there it is.

The heat, and humidity is the problem I think