Tru-Oil longevity

[PeteC]

I've been using Tru-Oil to finish my bows for the last 7 or 8 years,like many of you do.It makes for a great water-resistant finish,thats only weakness,as for as I see,is contact with insect repellant.A small bottle will afford enough 10 coat treatments to finish many bows.The last bottle I bought back in february,is still half full.I put a first coat on a new bow last evening.I went out this morning to apply a second coat,but it was still tacky.The RH for our area is no higher than normal,in fact I've applied it while it was raining outside without a problem.Have any of you ever experienced a "short shelf-life",with Tru-Oil? Appeciate any comments, Thanks, and God Bless

[Hillbilly]

I've experienced that same thing before, I guess it gets old after being opened awhile.

[DanaM]

I store all my finishes upside down once its been opened, I was taught this trick by a painter. Of course a bottle of tru-Oil
rarely lasts me more than a few months.

[Gordon]

I do what Dana said and have never had a problem with shelf-life.

[Pat B]

   When I use Tru-Oil I put a little in a small container and close the bottle up. This way the remainder is not subject to evaporation.      Before I started doing this I would open a half bottle of Tru-Oil and there would be a skin over it.  I do believe that there is a shelf life for Tru-Oil.   You may haver to wipe it down with 0000steel wool and start over with a fresh bottle.      Pat

[DanaM]

Pat turn it upside down and there won't be a skin on it

[mullet]

  I keep all my spray finishes, glue and true oil in the refridgerator in my shop.

[DBernier]

Like Eddie I keep all my spray and oil finishes in a small shop refrigerator, inverted. The tru-oil I have always stored upside down. I usually take a small amount out and recap the can with a foil seal and store it. It has lasted a long time.

Dick

BTW its good to be back. It has been a hellish two months with my best friend dieing etc., etc.

[Hillbilly]

Good to see you back, Dick.

[DBernier]

Thanks Hillbilly.

Dick

[D. Tiller]

I'm now using a hand rubbed Poly-eurethane finnish on my bows. Seems to work real well and seals the bows up from the the elements. Plus, I think it may be more resistant to moisture than True oil and it dries in less time.

[yellow feather]

I don't know about shelf life but I am using some now from a few old gun refinishing kits that I had. The rest of the stuff in the kits is no good but the Tru oil still works good. The kits are probably 20 years old. There was a thin skim on top but I removed it and it's good to go. David

[D. Tiller]

Whats the temp where you are? Read the back it specifies a temp range that it must be at to set up and dry out at.

[PeteC]

Thanks for the info fellas.I think I figured out the problem.I was pouring a little Tru-oil into a small cup,applying it to the bow,then pouring it back into the bottle.So evidently pouring the "evaporated"  ,(or funkified),material back in the bottle was probably contaminating it pre-maturely.The first coat eventually set up in 2 days,so I wooled it off,and started with fresh Tru-oil.I won't be so dang cheap in the future to save a few drops. Thanks again , PeteC            God Bless

[TRACY]

I store my tru oil in a glass bottle with a good fitting lid out of the sun. Might be extreme but don't have any problems.

Tracy