Thread: Greaseless buffing compounds - storage options ?

Hey guys, I'm moving over to GBC and would like to know your preferred storage method.
Do these compounds need to be kept in a cool,dark place for example ?

Thanks for your help !!

Mine just stay in my basement shop which stays around 65F. You can extend the product life by storage in a refrigerator so I would say cool is better. Do not freeze.
Good luck,
Karl

Mine were in my tool cabinet in the garage.
Needless to say the finer one just about melted.
It was flat instead of round...LOL
COOL place would be your best option I would say!

In ziploc bags, in a box, on the concrete basement floor. They are cool and sealed so they won't dry out. It has kept them for a while. For a lot of different reasons I have been very slow on using the buffer, and have not gone through much compound at all and expect that mine should last a good long time. It says on the package not to freeze them, however I know a few guys with unheated shops that have not had issues with the compound once it has been thawed.

Cool place and dont let air get at it for to long.

Sealed up tight with a bit of water. In the shop fridge crisper. I keep rubber bands and all sorts of other things in there too.

I don’t think the temperature matters as much as open air exposure. The good thing is you can revive or dry out as needed with a plastic bag and wet paper towels.

I store mine (3 tubes fit perfect) in a large Zip Lock bag, (buy the good heavy Ziplock Freezer Type, with the Zipper to make your life easier), and store in a good Air Tight Plastic container. The one I use has the rubber O-ring around the edge and a clasp on each side for a tight seal. I got it in the kitchen section of one of those home stores for about 10 bucks, measure your tubes before you buy, it has to be pretty large to fit 6 tubes.

Put a half of a wet paper towel in the bag. That will keep them fresh and soft. A wet paper towel will last several months.

If they do dry out put a couple of wet paper towels or a small plastic cup with water in the bag with the tubes and they will re-hydrate in a day or two. If they get too soft and jelly like, just leave them open for a couple hours and they will stiffen up. It is the glue that is in the binder that dries out, I think I read somewhere that it is hide glue, it does smell like it.

Before you first open a tube, write the grit on the bottom of the tube and on a couple of places on the sides, with a sharpie, if not the red and black ones look alike.

Do not cut off the plastic wrapper, just slice open one end and down one side a couple inches, so you can fold down the plastic exposing the compound, like eating a wrapped burrito. Then fold it over the exposed end to re-seal when storing.

I keep an extra plastic bag that I store the tube I am using in, with a wet paper towel to keep it from drying out and leave the others in the plastic container.

Also, buy good wheels, and a rake, I buy from Castwells. 2 for each grit and each greased compound. Loose for final polish.