How long are chemicals good for?

[Evelyn]

I have some flux and other things that are at least 2 years old - is there a time limit for "freshness and still viability"; wax; flux cleaner; patina; solder; foil still in original package;  

[Kev]

I have foil that is going on 3 years and sits in a hot outside shed in the summer and I used it recently and it was fine. I suspect patina would lose some potency, but I believe your flux will be fine. Your solder will be fine as well.

[Rebecca]

I have flux and patina that someone gave me years ago - it was old when she gave it to me.  Both still work fine.  If they have been capped; they are still good.

Rebecca

[Lou Ann]

I have really old stuff that was given to me as well, the only thing that looked funny so I tossed it was some flux remover -- it was brown instead of clear and it looked like it had seperated or something.

She also gave me some really old polish that was kind of thick compared to normal so I put some of my newer polish in with it, shook it really well and it works like a charm

I just finished my first bottle of black patina in the last year and it was bought at least 5 yrs ago...

[Anne]

I have patina that's been in my cupboard for over 15 years and it's still fine.  I keep my foil in airtight bags, it helps!

[Graham]

Glass supplies seem to age better than the people who use them.

[JoanFrances]

Good one Graham.  Maybe they skin care companies should take heed LOL

[Evelyn]

thanks for the input everyone - good to know, don't want to throw out things that are still good.

[Elizabeth]

Got that

Glass supplies seem to age better than the people who use them.

Got that right, Graham!

[glassman52]

I have had all of those you mentioned packed away in a shed for years and the only thing that was sorta no-good was some of the foil, as the adhesive was no longer effective. Every thing else was fine.