Product Storage and Shelf Life

[togwt]

Storage (Product)



[Store waxes and glazes in a cool dark place preferably refrigerated. Warm them to room temperature overnight before use] Zymöl



All car acre products are negatively impacted by wide temperature fluctuations and extremes of high or low temperatures. As far as wax storage is concerned standard room temperature will suffice; a refrigerator provides a stable temperature / humidity, which equates to a longer shelf life to the products.



Water-based car care products should not be stored at temperatures below > 35.OF (wax 45.OF) if they freeze they may become unstable and therefore unusable, ideal storage temperature range- 50- 7.OF with an average humidity range. Most car care products have a ‘useful life’ of approximately 2-3 years provided they are stored as above.



Keep containers tightly closed and ensure they are not compromised (fractured or leaking seals) store in a dry, cool and well-ventilated place. Keep away from direct sunlight. Do not allow to freeze. Do not store at temperature extremes (below 40 – over 80.OF +) as heat will destabilise emulsified products (wax, polymer sealants, polishes, etc) and avoid extreme temperature swings as the chemicals will become unstable, which will create problems with the performance of the product. Some separate out; others lose their effectiveness if they are heated past a certain point. Most car care products (including Polymers) will separate and may become unusable after being subjected to freezing temperatures



The chemical composition of waxes rarely ever change regardless of what form it is in, whether it is melted to a semi-liquid or remains as a semi-solid. Temperature has little to no effect as far as inhibiting the shelf life of wax, a cool temperatures and constant humidity will slow the evaporation of solvents from the wax, thus keeping the wax softer and easier to use over a longer period of time.



Shelf-Life



Providing their contains have a tight seal and are not compromised by fractures or (air) leaks



a) Polymers have a shelf life of approx 3-5 years if kept in their original containers and stored at temperatures as above



b) Polish - technically 2 years, providing the bottle is kept closed, and the product has not separated or the solvents haven’t evaporated by leaching ( the bottle will become semi- collapsed) there should be no problem with use for three years after sale date



c) Waxes - will last almost indefinitely, provided that they are stored a sealed in their original containers and in the refrigerator or controlled environment once opened. The liquids should last 18 months if stored at normal room temperature.



d) Detailing Chemicals (Wheel cleaners, All purpose cleaners (APC) and etc) have an almost indefinite shelf life if kept in their original containers and stored at temperatures as above, see also Product separation



e) Product separation If product emulsion separates it could be indicative of age (but not necessarily past its useful life) shake vigorously for 5-10 minutes and see if the product re- mixes.



Product shelf -life may vary from one manufacturer to another, if in doubt check with product mfg or vendor.

http://www.autopia.org/forum/welcome...l?daysprune=45

[Accumulator]

As I`ve frequently posted, my products generally have a nearly indefinite shelf-life, despite somewhat extreme temps (but always above freezing).



I bet 95% of my LSPs are at least 5 years old and most are a lot older than that. Interesting about polymers supposedly having a 3-5 life, wonder if that`s just manufacturer CYAing :think: My BF is from whenever that line first came out and it`s still OK.



Maybe half of my polishes/compounds are also that old and I just used some PI-III stuff (05933 and 05937) from the `90s.



The stuff that goes bad for me is QD, from the temps getting up in the 90s. And some of my QDs still stay OK too, the ones that have gone bad are Meguiar`s #34 and (just recently, some ~6 year old) Griot`s SpeedShine.



Heh heh, I even have some stuff from the 1980s that still works fine!



IMO this is another of those YMMV situations, with a whole lot of variables factoring in.

[Barry Theal]

As I`ve frequently posted, my products generally have a nearly indefinite shelf-life, despite somewhat extreme temps (but always above freezing).



I bet 95% of my LSPs are at least 5 years old and most are a lot older than that. Interesting about polymers supposedly having a 3-5 life, wonder if that`s just manufacturer CYAing :think: My BF is from whenever that line first came out and it`s still OK.



Maybe half of my polishes/compounds are also that old and I just used some PI-III stuff (05933 and 05937) from the `90s.



The stuff that goes bad for me is QD, from the temps getting up in the 90s. And some of my QDs still stay OK too, the ones that have gone bad are Meguiar`s #34 and (just recently, some ~6 year old) Griot`s SpeedShine.



Heh heh, I even have some stuff from the 1980s that still works fine!



IMO this is another of those YMMV situations, with a whole lot of variables factoring in.

LOL how about a new thread? " Whats older Accumulator or his products?" :dance:



Jon Great read. Thanks

[togwt]

The shelf life recommendations are from product mfg and I’m sure they are conservative (read CYA) estimates; after all they are in the business to sell products, so take them as guidance only.



Both myself and my Father have products that are well past (years) their `use by` dates and they still work fine, but recommending a longer shelf life than a mfg would open you up to a myriad of problems