Does Dykem Go Bad?

[Paul Alciatore]

As some of you may recall, my shop was in storage for a few years. That included my supply of Dykem. I have a brush top can and a larger plastic bottle that I have used to refill the can. Both were purchased about ten years ago and were in non-climate controlled storage for several years.

I tried to use the brush top can tonight and it behaved strangely. The blue die seemed to separate from a clear liquid after I brushed it on a piece of galvanized steel that had been lightly sanded. I had to wipe it off and shake the can vigorously for a minute or two. Even then, I had to apply two coats.

Is it the galvanized steel? Or has the Dykem gone bad? I hate to throw it all out, but I don't want to fight it either. Is there something that can be done to restore it?

[sandiapaul]

In my experience yes it does and just like you say. I just bought a new bottle about 2 weeks ago and it is fine.

[JoeLee]

I've seen it thicken up over time but that's about it. Big temperature swings probably played a part in the separation of it's components.

I haven't used the brush on stuff in years since I switched over the the spray can.

JL..............

[Doozer]

Spray Dykem is the bomb.
I actually have an old can of DoAll brand spray layout dye
and it is a deep deep blue, almost purple.
An alternative use I had for it one time,
I had a black oxide coated dust shield on a surface grinder
that was all scratched up. I "painted" the shield with a coat
of the DoAll dye, and it made the scratches 99% less noticable
and I think it did a fair job of restoring the look of the shield
while not having to go through the cost of getting it black oxide
coated again.

-Doozer

[TGTool]

I purchased blue and red Dykem in brush top cans some 15 years ago. At some point the blue turned that watery color but the red has remained just fine. I simply replaced the blue, but I can verify that there something different about it.

[loose nut]

I have a big bottle that is at least 20 years old and still seems good, I do shake it up before use.

[754]

I think it trys to run off galvanized... try on something else..

[JRouche]

The blue for me has turned clear in the plastic bottle but was fine in the master can which is metal. I love the spray stuff also. JR

[754]

I am surprised do many like the spray stuff, I find it way too expensive , too much work in shaking it up, clearing nozzle etc..or it stopping working..
sometimes I use as little as a square inch, 90 percent of the time around postcard size or less..

so do you guys prefer blue or red ?

[JRouche]

so do you guys prefer blue or red ?

Spray is expensive. Kinda why I have both for diff sitch. For a large surface I like the spray. For quicky setups I like the liquid.

I like the blue so I can still see when I bleed. Sharp edges always nick me. JR

[754]

I did an online search, and found another guy that had issues with it on galvanized...

[Lew Hartswick]

Galvanize steel needs to be REALLY de-greased to take any applied material . I don't know what the use on it but it's hard to get off .
...lew...

[Dave C]

I like the spray for anything bigger than a postage stamp. For small stuff I use a sharpie. I bought 2 cans of the spray stuff from a local supplier that was running a sale. I used one at work, and kept the other one at home. I retired 18 years ago and that first can is still going strong. The other one has never been uncapped.

[10KPete]

I have Dykem in colors and blue, most I've had going on 35-40 years, plastic and metal, and I've never seen a pigment separation or a drying out, etc.. I have seen cans and bottles dried up but those guys didn't keep the lids clean and tight.

Zinc needs to be etched before coating will stick A couple of hours in vinegar or a quick wipe with some hydrochloric does the job!

Pete

[JRouche]

Ok, hate you folks!! Yer fault

Went to find my clear dykem with no luck but I did find the big container, or it found me.

Just breathed on it and the plastic crumbled. I got lucky, it mostly stayed in the container and I just put it into a new container. What a mess.

Thanks, are we playing with gasoline next? Leave me out. I wanna live. Errr! JR