Sealant shelf life

Dr.K

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Do polymer sealants have a shelf life? Thank you very much for your time and answers. I'm grateful!
 
I would think about six to seven years though could last longer depending apon the brand though just make sure to shake the product check the consistency etc
 
Keep them out of the heat, like down here where I live in Florida, I keep them inside along with waxes etc.
 
Too many variables in play here for a single universal answer but as other people have noted high heat can dramatically shorten shelf life. You also want to avoid freezing, UV & short wavelength visible light if in clear containers and oxygen and water vapor as much as possible (keep those containers tightly closed and if you're down to a half bottle or less consider transferring to a smaller volume container). I store my detailing products almost like wine: 55F - 65F temps, no rapid temperature swings, in the dark most of the time and tightly closed. Carefully stored I think five years plus is a reasonable expectation and you might get a decade or more out of some products.
Coatings are another matter entirely and most of them should be used up within a few months at most once opened.
 
Thank you very much for the info guys! It's awesome.

Now I have a problem. I have several sealants, including Polycharger that have been in the hot (110*) and cold (40*) garage for the last three years. Do you think that they're bad? Should I replace them?
 
you just have to shake and test. If its separated and wont cometogether,, its a gonner.
and like the rest, being in N texas with a metal garage, I keep all my products in my garage fridge.
 
It doesn't look like any of it has separated. I haven't looked at it before a good shaking though. My Polycharger however, is the consistency of rubber cement.

I took it all today and put it in the basement. It stays 60*-70* down there. I know my wife wouldn't be cool with me putting it in the refrigerator. lol
 
well its a garage fride///also hold my beer LOLOLOL It never has to worry about a due date LOLOLOL
 
I was told 3 years for shelf life on DP paint coating at Detail Fest by the person working at the DP booth.
 
Polymer sealants (most of them anyway) will cure with moisture. The trick is to keep them in a dry environment and sealed. Other conditions being well, there is not likely to be a significant 'going off'. I would note that keeping them cool would increase the risk of moisture forming through condensation. Personally, I would keep products at ambient temperature.

This all will differ with the higher tech sealants as, whilst it is still moisture driven, the curing is somewhat different.
 
Thanks for the interesting topic.

I've kept my waxes in the frig, now my two sealants have joined them. :xyxthumbs:
 
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