What to do with leftover thinned lacquer

[Arron]

Hi. I use Wattyl Stylwood spray lacquer. When I finish spraying, there is often a bit of leftover lacquer/thinner mix left in the gun which I do not want to waste. Can I pour this back into the drum of lacquer, even though it has thinners mixed in ?
ps. I realise to do so will slightly change the density of the lacquer in the drum, but I'm not worried about that because the quantities going back in will be small - I just dont like the waste.
cheers
Arron

[Rod Gilbert]

Ive been doing it for years never a problem. Small amounts of thinned laquer going back in to the drum I figger allows for evaperation of solvent that naturaly happens over time with laquer.
Regards Rod.

[rod1949]

Yes I also tip the leftovers back into the main container. Also when using/re-using I strain it through a very fine micron filter and I'm always amazed at the particals that are collected.

[Arron]

Sounds good. Thanks for the replies
Cheers
Arron

[wheelinround]

me to or I have a well sealing jar which I pour into then use this as a sanding sealer and sometimes finish for small stuff brush on.

[soundman]

Most finish suppliers will discourage the tipping back of thinned laquer into the virgin product in the drum or tin.

Often the thinner used for spraying is different to what exists in the virgin product particularly if you are using GP thinner and not the thinner specific to the product.........the finish chemists will tell you this "may" effect the storage life of the product or some such....AND of course, if you have been tipping back you have no idea what the viscosity and concentration of your product is so how much do you thin.

What is also reasonable is that you may tip back contaminants from the gun.

Most laquer thinner also contains alcahol and other stuff that is very hydroscopic...absorbs water, so tipping back may introduce water into the virgin finish, which may effect the clarity and shelf life of the product.

If course tipping back is far more reasonable in true laquers that cure only by solvent evaporation.......simple true laquers will disolve in their thinner at anytime after they cure......oxidation not being too much of a problem

Tipping back is certainly unwise in reactive finishes such as polly, varnish and of course two pack.........simple reactive finshes like oil bassed paints and farnishes suffer from oxidation and thinned product may carry back stuff that accelerates the oxidation process in the tin.

Personally I do not tip back laquer, I keep dregs in a clean tin.

You can buy clean paint tins in a variety of sizes from most auto refinish suppliers.

Dregs can be used for bottoms and backs and as has been said as sanding sealer....but proper sanding sealer is better.

cheers