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Is My Park Tool PolyLube 1000 Dry?

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Old 10-05-11, 09:32 AM
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Is My Park Tool PolyLube 1000 Dry?

A rather personal question, I know

I finally ordered a tub of lube so I can start doing things properly around here. When I got the can it looked like the lube had pulled back from the can, though, and the date on it said 3/14/11. There's also a dent by the date stamp that may have created a tiny seal break.

As it's my first can of PolyLube, I just want to know if this is how it normally looks, and if the date is the expiration date or the packing date. Packaging does say nt. weight 1lb, so as long as it's not expired this is probably the way it comes. Just want to double check!



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Old 10-05-11, 10:24 AM
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That's normal. They can't fill the cans to the top because they have to leave room to avoid spillage during packaging, which would create too much of a mess. It pulls away from the sides because the grease sticks better to itself than to the can.
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Old 10-05-11, 06:01 PM
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Initially from the picture, it looked like a 55 gallon drum of it - I thought the container was sitting on a wood pallet. How does it feel between the fingers?
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Old 10-05-11, 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by MudPie
How does it feel between the fingers?
Greasy?
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Old 10-05-11, 07:51 PM
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Grease doesn't dry. That's why you use it. If it dried out, would you want it in your bike?
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Old 10-05-11, 07:59 PM
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Looks yummy to me!
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Old 10-05-11, 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Nerull
Grease doesn't dry. That's why you use it. If it dried out, would you want it in your bike?
+1

The date is probably just the manufacturing date. That stuff will last forever.
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Old 10-05-11, 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by gforeman
Looks yummy to me!
Like a floor wax _and_ a dessert topping.
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Old 10-05-11, 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by MudPie
Initially from the picture, it looked like a 55 gallon drum of it - I thought the container was sitting on a wood pallet.
Haha me too. Wonder how many lifetimes a 55gal drum would last? I'm guessing at least 55.
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Old 10-06-11, 10:51 AM
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I work on 40 year old bikes and reel to reel tape recorders. I find grease that has dried out and turned to glue all the time.
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Old 10-06-11, 05:34 PM
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Grease actually can dry out after a little over a year exposed to air, sometimes even less then that. when i assemble new bikes out of the box i always find this dried up mustard color grease around the stem bolts and a few other parts. if you are a home mechanic i recommend byeing tubes instead of tubs because they are not so exposed and personally i prefer finish line grease because its similar to white lithium grease which is used on cars and lasts a loooong time!
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Old 10-06-11, 06:02 PM
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I have a tub of that stuff on my bench that is at least 10 years old. Still seems to work fine.
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Old 10-07-11, 06:53 AM
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Perhaps "dry out" is a confusing term - it implies some sort of solvent or carrier has evaporated.

In the case of grease, oxidation of the base oil can occur, and this would change the property of the oil. Perhaps it gets viscous or gummy?
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Old 10-07-11, 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by MudPie
Initially from the picture, it looked like a 55 gallon drum of it - I thought the container was sitting on a wood pallet. How does it feel between the fingers?
It is indeed greasy. All these responses were exactly what I was looking for, and confirmed my suspicions. Thanks everyone!

Originally Posted by dchsueh
Perhaps "dry out" is a confusing term - it implies some sort of solvent or carrier has evaporated.

In the case of grease, oxidation of the base oil can occur, and this would change the property of the oil. Perhaps it gets viscous or gummy?
A good point about oxidation in many of the replies above. Though there probably won't be a 'next time' for a looooong time with this tub, but next time I'll get a tube instead. In the meantime, I'll be taking extra precautions to try and seal it from circulating air as much as possible in order to keep it nice and fresh for as long as I can.
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Old 10-07-11, 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by MudPie
Initially from the picture, it looked like a 55 gallon drum of it - I thought the container was sitting on a wood pallet. How does it feel between the fingers?
Heh, guess I got a little too close with the camera phone. That and the door in the far distance provides no real frame of reference!
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Old 10-07-11, 11:33 AM
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[QUOTELike a floor wax _and_ a dessert topping.][/QUOTE

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