Cabot's stain use by date

[garym]

Hi all, I just bought a 500ml can of Cabot's interior stain (Jarrah).

I couldn't find a use by date on the can at the store and with my poor eyesight hadn't noticed that the can had signs of rust on it (indicating age - both the can and me). I just found a date on the bottom of the can 10/2/10! - I am not sure if this is a use by date or a date the can was filled. Anybody know enough about this product to a) tell me if it is a use by date, or b) if it is a fill date is the stain still usable?

I don't want to open the can if it is obviously out of date - I'll just take it straight back.

Cheers,
GaryM

[garym]

Just for interest's sake, I rang Cabot's and they told me the shelf life is 2 years - so yep - out of date - back it goes. Not happy Jan.

[China]

I have had Cabot's stain 10 + years and it is just as good as new

[nrb]

I agree with china,have had cans on the shelf for many years and still ok

[Mobyturns]

Makes you wonder how much useable product is dumped due to "expired" use by dates and not "expired" product.

[ubeaut]

Be a good idea to ask what the expiry date is for:

• Is it because the law says they have to have one? (There is no law I know of for that)
  
• Is it because the product becomes unstable?
  
• Is it because the product can cause problems to a surface coating applied to it after that date?
  
• Is it because they sell more product that way?

Would be interesting to find out.

U-Beaut puts use by/best by dates on Shellac product because they're pretty much useless after that date, or at least, not going to work properly for their original purpose.

It's possible that do the same. Still be interesting to find out the true reason for their use by date.

Cheers - Neil