I just got a new tube of evercoat matal glaze and am amazed at how runny it is compared to my 10 month old tube I just finished. How do you tell when mud or icing or the hardner as well is too old and should be tossed?
I have been keeping the hardner in the fridge when not in use and getting it back to 70 deg. for a few days before using it. Is it obviose when it goes bad?

I wouldn't suggest keeping that hardener in the fridge, just keep the cap on tight and there shouldn't be any problems with the hardener. The filler will dry out over time if allowed any air. The metal glazes with the flip open caps do dry a lot faster than the style that just screw on. If you won't be using the glaze for awhile just apply a piece of thicker plastic over the tube end before screwing the cap on. Your fillers contain solvents and resins that will evaporate-these are what you smell evaporating when the filler is in use and curing. If it gets to thick to mix correctly or apply just throw it away and buy new. Keep the lids sealed tight on the metal cans. Watch that you don't buy old products right from the store, I've baught glazecoat that's been on the shelf to long, had to return it. Bob

Yeah, don't put that hardener in the fridge. Don't put any paint products in the fridge, you just don't know what it may do. I remember I use to always put the "hardened" unused paint in the fridge at work to use the next day or so. That was a BIG mistake as I see it now. Sure, it keeps it from hardening, but is it keeping it from hardening after I sprayed it? I am still a little confused on the subject. Here is a link to a discussion on this very subject (click here) (http://www.hotrodders.com/t53657.html) . Now please, understand the discussion is on epoxies and urethanes which do NOT have the same curing mechanism as polyester body filler which is "thermosetting" and cures with heat. But it shows the complexity of some of these products we work with.

On the differences between your new and old polyester putty, I think I may have some answers.

First off, unless you stir a gallon of "bondo" (polyester body filler) often as you use it,keep the lid on TIGHT when not in use, it is going to be thicker as you use the last bottom of the can than it was the first scoop. Solvents evaporate first off, second, YOU scooped solvents off with the first scoops that were meant to be mixed throughout the can. So when you get to the bottom, those solvents aren't there.

The same thing happens with that tube of Metal Glaze, I use it every day, it will do the same thing. I religiously will close the cap after each use and it still thickens a little. If it is really abused it will turn into an oatmeal texture.

This is the reason I keep a fresh container of it in my cabinet, just do I always have it for those real critical jobs where I want it to spread like cream cheeze smmmmoooooooothhhhh.

When I was a rep for S-W, we had to distroy any plastic filler that had been frozen. In fact, it says right on the side of the case (four gallons, or six quarts) DO NOT FREEZE.

Thanks guys. Brian, I have always stirred the crap out of this gallon of rage and now that I am on the bottom it is still pretty good, not as good as the first scoop but better than the last scoop in other cans past, by far. You can see the solvents remixing in the mud when you stir it.

Thanks again, my wife will apreciate the fridge space! smile.gif