Longevity of Woodworm treatment? (not the treatment of infestation but the chemical)

[whatknot]

Just one of those odd enquiries

I have some old Cuprinol woodworm treatment it is probably 30 years old, its been opened and resealed but one tin is almost full still

I am wondering would it lose its woodworm killing properties over time? or would it still be usable?

Any ideas?

 

[TheUnicorn]

I'd say (with no actual knowledge to back it up) that chemicals (patricuarly in any form of mixture) break down, loose effectiveness over time. In your particular case I'd say shake the can well, if it still has the consistency you expect, and you are not overly worried by a fine finish, I'd get it used up, possibly retreat in a few years time and look out for signs of woodworm in the meantime

 

[whatknot]

I'd say (with no actual knowledge to back it up) that chemicals (patricuarly in any form of mixture) break down, loose effectiveness over time. In your particular case I'd say shake the can well, if it still has the consistency you expect, and you are not overly worried by a fine finish, I'd get it used up, possibly retreat in a few years time and look out for signs of woodworm in the meantime

Thanks for yours. I realised its one of those how long is a piece of string type questions

As it does not appear to have evaporated over time, is clear and certainly smells like woodworm killer ;-)

I may just use it up and order some fresh, its only for a small are where some numpty used some old infested timber to do a DIY repair and I suspect its "ex" woodworm anyway ;-) no sign of new

Its just that was all I had to hand, dreadful habits we have of not throwing anything away ;-)

 

[TheUnicorn]

Its just that was all I had to hand, dreadful habits we have of not throwing anything away ;-)

I'm trying (in theory) to not accumalate too many chemicals, the containers seem to be getting thinner and thinner, also heard a horror story about someone picking up a bottle of bleach and the plastic had broken down, chucking bleach all over the carpet. I've had paint leak more than once, personally I'd say the packaging was not fit for purpose but that it a seperate discussion.

 

[whatknot]

I'm trying (in theory) to not accumalate too many chemicals, the containers seem to be getting thinner and thinner, also heard a horror story about someone picking up a bottle of bleach and the plastic had broken down, chucking bleach all over the carpet. I've had paint leak more than once, personally I'd say the packaging was not fit for purpose but that it a seperate discussion.

It is certainly something to keep in mind when handling old anything, I can't offhand remember anything where I had packaging break down, well nothing serious anyway

I went through all my tins of paint not long back, hardly any were worth hanging on to, why on earth did I keep a tin with half an inch in the bottom, now rock hard and useless so carted most of them down the tip

Crazy how much crap we all keep "just in case"

But then again my saved crap has saved me on many occasions, so perhaps its not all worthless after all ;-)