Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Does Filmguard expire?

This is topic Does Filmguard expire? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Chris Trainor (Member # 9) on 09-14-2003, 09:30 PM:

Ok, here's an odd question I'm sure, since I doubt it would happen often. [Smile]

Does Filmguard go bad? I've got nearly a full case of Filmguard I had ordered for my theater about 2 or 3 years ago that is sitting here doing nothing. I'd like to start using it again since I'm rebuilding my home theater. Any downsides to using stuff that's 2+ years old??

thanks
--Chris

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 09-14-2003, 09:50 PM:

I don't know for sure but I would say that as long as the bottles are still tightly capped and have been stored in a stable environment there's no reason why they shouldn't last indefinately.

If a bottle has been left open or has a leak in it, that's a different story. Almost all liquids evaporate. Even though FilmGuard is made to evaporate slowly, it still evaporates. (If a liquid has any smell at all it's almost certainly evaporating, at least a little bit.) Even though nobody but Brad knows exactly what's in F.G., we all know that there is more than one ingredient. We can also guess that some of the ingredients evaporate at different rates than others. After a while, if the cap is left open, you're likely to have a substance similar in nature to a pot of coffee that's been left on the burner all day long. (Figuratively speaking.)

Posted by Jesse August (Member # 1798) on 09-14-2003, 10:04 PM:

Good question. Brad where are you?

Posted by Chris Trainor (Member # 9) on 09-14-2003, 10:31 PM:

Well, the uncapped thing isn't really an issue. These are all new, sealed boxes. I bought a whole case and only ended up using a couple of bottles out of it at the theater. The rest of the case stayed at my house.

--Chris

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 09-14-2003, 11:08 PM:

Yes. It expires 83 days and 4 hours after its shippment date. Fortunately, I have set up a disposal facility, where Film-Guard is disposed of in a way which does not harm the environment.

Please send your Old Film-Guard to:

Film-Guard Disposal Service
c/o Edwards RSD 15
2951 Jamacha Rd.
El Cajon, CA 92019
ATTN: Mike

Also, Kelmar Dry Web Media cleaners should be replaced every 2 years or so. Please send those as well.
[Big Grin]

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 09-14-2003, 11:14 PM:

Nice try Mike.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-15-2003, 12:59 AM:

Other than giving the bottle a good shaking if you find the contents look a little different color at the bottom than the top, you are fine. I have only shelf tested it for 3-something years, but things were fine. This is assuming a sealed bottle.