Does lacquer go bad? - Woodworking Talk

northstar1958 · 05-31-2009, 07:44 AM

Gentlemen:

I have a few unopened quarts of Deft lacquer that have been sitting in my shop for the last 5 years. Any chance that this stuff is still usable? Thanks

Northstar

mainzy · 05-31-2009, 09:15 AM

For a few quarts of laquer I don't think I would chance it.

God Bless;Mainzy

northstar1958 · 05-31-2009, 10:06 AM

Ok...let me re-phrase the question....Does lacquer have a shelf life? Does it go bad?

Northstar

GeorgeC · 05-31-2009, 10:17 AM

I have kept and used lacquer for much longer than 5 years and it was fine.

As long as it can be totally mixed (all solids on the bottom are disolved and mixed into solvent) then there should be no problem. If you want to keep it longer before use then shake it thoroughly and put it back on the shelf.

G

northstar1958 · 05-31-2009, 11:35 AM

Thank you George....appreciate the info

Northstar

woodnthings · 05-31-2009, 11:44 AM

I flip the cans upside down and then back over every so often to let the solids work their way back through the solvents. I don't know if this really works but it seems to help with heavy stains and I'm sure it couldn't hurt for any type of finish. Laquer and Deft doesn't skin over like paints so it should be fine.

bill