Large Scale Central

What's it mean when lid blows of shellac quart can?

Problem Solving
#1

Hey Y’all;

What’s it mean when lid blows of shellac quart can?

One that’s been indoors the whole time because your apartment has neither garage nor basement.

And what’s it mean when unmixed liquid in can labeled clear is dark as coffee?

And what’s it mean when the bottom is now bulged out?

Can is unused and I think the one found buried in back of pantry during the fall.

Happened around 3am.
Fortunately because of storm and tornado issues heading here from Kansas City I was up in middle of night to be there for it.

From the kitchen direction there was a pop like opening a can of those pre-formed buttermilk biscuits to bake, then a rattle like dropping a jar lid on kitchen tile floor.

Took a minute or two to discover what had happened.

Asking around and finding how to interpret lot code seems to say it was manufactured in March 2011.
Which makes sense because can is by definition at least a year or two old since it was bought from local hardware store where owners retired after 30 or so years within the last year or two.
It also wasn’t something which had sat on their shelves - they always had to order it for me.

#2

I think it means that “Bulls eye” is the can taking aim at you! (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)

I found several examples, and most times the shellac was discolored too.

I understand the solvent in shellac is alcohol, and thus subject to absorbing moisture, so my theory is that over time (heating and cooling cycles) moisture somehow got in, ruined and discolored the shellac, and the increased volume or contamination raised the pressure in the can.

Greg

#3

I think it means its time to discard that can. Then only buy it again when you plan on using it soon. These things can have a shelf life, and I would guess your can has exceeded it’s shelf life.

#4

David Maynard said:

Then only buy it again when you plan on using it soon.

Thing is it only gets used about half a teacup at a time a couple times a year.

#5

You might consider, depending on the use, shellac flakes and mix it up “fresh” when needed. If stored properly they have about a 3 year shelf life with the mixed shellac having about 6 months.

#6

Googled “Shellac shelf life” this is what came up 2nd on the list http://www.thepurplepaintedlady.com/2014/06/shellac-it-has-a-shelf-life/ Hope the link works for you.

#7

Could be during a storm the pressure dropped rapidly and the can being sealed just let go…due different pressure inside/outside can???

Science was never my first!! (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

#8

Max Winter said:

Googled “Shellac shelf life” this is what came up 2nd on the list http://www.thepurplepaintedlady.com/2014/06/shellac-it-has-a-shelf-life/ Hope the link works for you.

DECODING THE STAMP ON TOP OF THE CAN:

For example, my can is marked on the lid with the code S42279 D.

The first number after the letter is the last digit in the year it was manufactured.
The second number corresponds to the month.
The third and fourth numbers relate to the actual day of the month.

It does.

Hmm, interesting, let’s see what it comes up to be.

LOT S13304 D

first number = 1
second number = 3
third and fourth = 30

So, March 30, either 2011 or 2001 and with can labeling having copyright 2007 that demands 2011 as the manufacture year.

What, 7 years is beyond its shelf life? (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

Might just have to try the mix your own from flakes thing. As much for the fun of the mixing as anything else.

Air pressure could well have been in play with the severe storms heading in from the Kansas City side of the state.

Fortunately they substantially mellowed just before arriving here.

#9

Max Winter said:

Googled “Shellac shelf life” this is what came up 2nd on the list http://www.thepurplepaintedlady.com/2014/06/shellac-it-has-a-shelf-life/ Hope the link works for you.

Hmm,

To ensure a long life for your shellac, keep the container tightly closed and store in a cool, dry place where the temperature does not exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Simply not possible.

I can’t afford to run the air conditioner the required amount to maintain my apartment at that temperature in July and August here.

And with the neurological and endocrine diseases I have sitting in that temperature is too cold and my skin eventually hurts.

It has to be 80F or more before I can wear short pants without my legs and knees hurting.’

And after suffering through winter I’m going to enjoy some warmth, thank you.