I recently opened a can of oil-based polyurethane that has been sitting around for a while, and I'm concerned about its condition. The consistency resembles a cross between apple sauce and canned pasta sauce. To try and fix it, I diluted it with mineral spirits in a 1:1 ratio, but now it feels more like a pulpy suspension instead of a smooth solution. Is it safe to use it in this state?
3 Answers
I wouldn’t recommend using it. Once the original solvent evaporates, the chemical reactions that happen in the remaining mix could be messed up, and adding mineral spirits might not fix that. If you go ahead and use it, you might end up with a mess that’s a hassle to correct later on.
If you're unsure, just toss it. It's not worth risking a finish that may never dry properly after application. Better safe than sorry!
Always test it out first! Make a sample board, let a coat dry, sand it a bit, and then apply a full coat over it. This way, you’ll see if it actually works before ruining your project.
Good tip! I'll definitely test it first before using it on anything important.
Exactly! Better to play it safe than to deal with a failed finish later.