Zymol Shelf Life?

Is there a useful shelf life to waxes?

I was recently looking at Zymol Concours for 70 bucks. Problem is, the guy says it's been sitting in a refrigerated environment for a few YEARS. In it's original bag, brand new. He claims teh seal was just broken so he could verify the freshness of the wax before trying to sell it.

Deal or no deal?

 

I have had some waxes that have done well after a few years of storage. One thing I look for is what does the wax look like in the pot? If looks 'drawn in', like the wax is pulled away from the sides, then it has probably lost a lot of its oils due to age or not being sealed back tightly. I'd stay away from waxes that looked like that. If it looks like normal wax in the pot, then its probably ok. My older waxes have done well when sealed back tightly. I always store mine in a temp controlled environment as well. I did have one wax that wasn't sealed back right by a friend that ended up drying up in 6 months. Hope this helps.

 

Could you re-oil the wax?

 

NO DEAL...:crasy:

 

That's what I figured... thanks!

it sounded like a good deal, but wasn't sure if wax could be kept that long.

 

Well, It can be kept that long but It's the refridgerator that bothers me. The rule of thumb is to keep it in a cool dry place all year long. We all now thats impossible but we don't have to induce a place that is a bad condition around 35F With condensation to boot. They say keep it from freezing why would you put It In the Fridge at cold temps...I would never do this and if there is a good reason to do this I still ain't doing it. Doesn't make sense...:shrug:

 

where did you see it forsale.

 

Well, I do have to say that I called Zymol customer service many years ago and was told to keep my wax in the fridge. In fact, they told me if I kept the container well sealed and in the fridge then shelf life was indefinite. Cool temps are not going to bother wax only extremely cold temps.

I've owned many of the various Zymol waxes and I always kept them in the fridge. They lasted me for years.

Personally, I would take a look at the wax before deciding whether or not to buy. If it has cracks in it and looks dried out then don't buy it.

 

Buddy, could you elaborate a little further?

I've been keeping my LSPs - zymol Carbon was the first of the good ones I'd used - in the garage fridge ever since I can remember. I've noticed no ill effects. Matter of fact, the first pot of Carbon I bought was at a local store, before the internet shopping age. The owner of the store told me the refrigerator was the best place to keep it.

 

I agree with krshultz here and keep all my waxes in the fridge. I also keep them in the crisper drawer to keep down the humidity. From what I have gathered heat and humidity are detrimental to waxes. I think pretty much everyone I personally know on here either keeps their waxes in a fridge or a wine cooler. I have a fridge in my garage and that gaurantees a steady consistent temp year round and not the varying temps that you normally get in a garage.

 

A fridge or wine cooler is the way to go.

 

According to Swissvax, keeping them indoors is fine. No need for a fancy wine cooler.

 

what's the ideal temperature for wax storage?

 

The whole deal about keeping waxes in a refrigerator just seems like marketing to me. The chemical composition of waxes never really changes despite what form it is in, whether it be melted or hard. So I don't see where temperature comes into effect as far as inhibiting the performance and shelf life of wax.

If a test study was done with factual evidence supporting the theory of requiring the waxes to be refrigerated, then I'll believe it. Other than that, it's just marketing to make it seem like Zymol waxes are above its competition since it requires "special" care.

 

Keep it tightly sealed in a place that is not subected to temperature 'swings' and you should be fine.

The 'thinking' behind fridge storage is constant temp/humidity. If you spend $1,000 on a wax you would take the advise of the mfg in regard to storage, wouldn't you?

 

I have some Zymol Creme that i've had since 1998 it's been kept in a refridgerated environment since new and is still perfect in application and durability is as expected.

As others have said temperature fluctuations are what can cause problems the fridge envionment stops this.

 

OK silly noob observation: If you store it in the fridge (say 36F) then take it into your shop (say 68F) does the 32 degree swing not constitute not keeping it at a constant temp (how's that for a double negative)?

 

i keep them in my garage un fridged.. i worry about the fridge as if it can dry out plants it can dry out wax.. but at the same time if you keep it around 45-50 you should be good.. below i would start to worry.

see when it gets cold things contract and water is what is squeezed out of it and everything has water.. i have had Concourso for about 8 months now.. it looks like new.. and it was kept in the garage.. with temps as high as 90 for a day or two and as low as 50-60.. but mostly at 65.. it is a heated garage.. all my waxes look great even a pot of zymol concourse i have had for 2-3 years.. i had to scrape it out of the case b/c it shattered... stupid zymol cases.. duh the pot might get slippery with wax.. i should have been more careful too.. anyways it went into a similar container and it still looks like new.. probably half a pot left.. too obsessed with swissvax waxes.. they are easier to use imo..

keeping wax below 40 to me just seems stupd.. with food water can be reinfused with a microwave or oven with the steam with wax you cannot put oils back in.. well you could but it would be near impossible without the right method and equipment.. with that said.. i think if you avoid temps over 80 and under 40 you should have no issues whatsoever. so put it in the fridge just make sure it isn't too cold.. but i don't really think your going to get that much better longevity out of the product.

 

Another reason I keep mine in the fridge is storage space. The fridge is already out there, taking up a lot of room, and I don't keep much in it. Keeping them in the fridge frees up shelf space for all of my other stuff. Two sets of wheels, big air compressor, tool cabinet, and of course the car...space is at a premium.

 

Thats pretty much exactly what Swissvax said. Apparently its a myth started by Zymol in attempts to make it seem like Zymol is better than the rest.