Product shelf life and storage at temperature.

[cydewaze]

When this spring rolled around, I grabbed a bottle of #9 to buff out a friend's hood, only to find that the product had turned completely to liquid. Same thing with my tube of ScratchX. Both are around 3 years old (I don't use the #9 all that much) and both spend the winter in my unheated garage.

Did the time or the conditions cause the liquification?

Aside from the obvious mess factor, does the effectiveness of the product degrade when in liquid form?

[BlueZero]

Re: Product shelf life and storage at temperature.

It was probably the freezing. It's a pain but I bring all my products in every winter.

I don't know about the effectiveness as I've never let mine freeze. I'm sure someone will know.

[cydewaze]

Re: Product shelf life and storage at temperature.

I'll probably replace all the liquified ones (at least the ones that need a buffer) just to cut down on cast-off during use. I think I'll also join you in bringing my detailing supplies in for the winter.

[Murr1525]

Re: Product shelf life and storage at temperature.

You can try shaking them up, and see if they come together at all. But yeah, freezing is going to be a waste of products.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Product shelf life and storage at temperature.

Typical shelf life for our products is 3 to 5 years, as long as they are not exposed to prolonged temperature extremes. One good, solid freeze will usually ruin them, especially the "lotion" consistency products like liquid waxes, paint cleaners, compounds and polishes. If a product is separated into a watery component and a thicker component and will not mix back together with vigorous shaking, then the product is shot. Similarly, if it pours out in a lumpy consistency, almost like cottage cheese, that's also an indication that it's gone bad. Prolonged exposure to very high temps, like sitting in the trunk of the car in the Southwest during a hot summer, will also ruin a lotion like product.

When stored at room temperature, however, many of these products can last many, many years. We have some old polishes in glass bottles around the office here that must date back well over 50 years and in many cases the product in them is still perfectly serviceable.

[cydewaze]

Re: Product shelf life and storage at temperature.

Thanks Michael!