Wood finishes can be expensive, particularly when you need several different products for different projects. Unfortunately, once a tin has been opened, the remaining finish is exposed to air. For many oil-based and hard-wax finishes, this exposure can cause the product to oxidise and develop a skin. Leave a partly used tin sitting on the shelf long enough and you may discover that a perfectly useful, and potentially expensive finish is no longer usable.
Why Flexible Water Bottles Aren’t the Perfect Solution
Flexible sports bottles and water bladders can work surprisingly well for storing finishes, however, the biggest problem is the lid. Many sports bottles use pop-top lids that aren't genuinely airtight. This undermines the entire purpose of transferring the finish because air can still enter the container. Finish can also seep into the lid mechanism, creating a sticky mess or eventually causing the lid to fail. Screw-top flexible bottles work considerably better, provided the threads remain clean. However, filling these containers can be frustrating because flexible bottles don't stand upright particularly well.
Why StopLoss Bags Work Better
StopLoss bags solve several of these practical problems. A simple support locks around the nozzle, allowing it to be clamped securely to a workbench while filling. It sounds like a small improvement, but preventing a flexible container full of finish from falling over makes transferring products considerably easier.
The silicone funnel is another useful addition. Traditional hard plastic funnels become increasingly difficult to clean as finishes accumulate on their surfaces. Dried material can eventually flake off and contaminate fresh finish. With silicone, many dried finishes can simply be peeled away as a film, leaving a clean funnel ready for its next use.
The Small Details That Make a Big Difference
Keeping the screw threads clean is important for maintaining an airtight seal. Rubbing a waxy rag around the threads can help prevent finish from sticking to them and keep the cap opening and closing smoothly.
Before fully tightening the cap, squeeze the flexible bag to push out as much air as practical. Then tighten the lid. Reducing the amount of air trapped with the finish helps limit oxidation and the formation of a skin during storage.
Save Your Finish and Your Money
The real advantage of this storage system is reducing waste. Instead of throwing away partly used finishes that have deteriorated inside their original tins, an airtight flexible container can help keep products usable between projects.
A secure flexible bag, clean silicone funnel and a few sensible storage habits can make that much easier, and save a significant amount of expensive finish from ending up in the bin.