This week’s question comes from Johnathan who asks:
It is getting really cold these days. I am worried about my glues and finishes that are stored in my shop. Do I have to throw away finishes and glues that have been in been in temperatures below manufacturer’s recommended temperatures or can I still use them later? Thanks and keep up the good work.
And this was my response:
Hey Jonathan. I find that there is a little buffer built into those recommended storage temperatures, but I really wouldn’t want to take much of a chance. Even here in Phoenix where it never reaches freezing temps, I take my finishes and glues inside for the winter. I don’t know the exact temp where things start going south, but I don’t want to find out either. Finish is expensive. So I would recommend using the recommended temperatures on the label as your guideline.
Now if you do let these things go a full winter, you’ll probably have some visual indicator that the finish or glue has gone bad. Most times its chunks or an unusually thick consistency. And even if things look OK, you might want to test on scrap to make sure everything works as expected and cures properly. Hope that helps.
4 Responses to “Does Cold Affect Glues and Finishes?”
I keep my glue and finishes in a heated cabinet. I built in a light fixture w/a 25 watt bulb and regulate it with a household plug-in timer, 4 hrs. on 4 hrs. off etc.etc.
Hey guys,
Finishes and glues are one thing, but if you keep any waterstones constantly submerged in a tub, don’t let them freeze! I forgot about one last winter, and yup, it cracked.
I’ve never worried about oil-based finishes, so long as they are applied when both the finish and the wood is at room temp. Has anyone had issues with oil finishes that have been stored in the cold?
I keep mine in a heated storage room off of the shop. I picked up a special thermostat at Home Depot that is designed to have a heater plugged into it – it comes on at 35 degrees and shuts off at 50 degrees. It stops stuff from freezing without wasting energy.
Last winter I ordered 3 quart bottles of Titebond and they arrived frozen solid. I called the manufacturer and was told that they should be fine. They said Titebond can freeze up to 3 times before they go bad. The only problem I had was it did get a little thicker than normal and it took 4 days to thaw lol.