How to Store Sealants and Finishes During Winter
Freezing temperatures are here! In order to get the best value out of your product investment, know how to store your leftover or unused sealants and finishes during Winter. Here are some guidelines on storage:
In general, it is best not to let any of of these products freeze. Though some sealants and finishes may be listed as “freeze-thaw stable” it is important to know that any finish or sealant that has been frozen will never completely regain all of the initial properties it had before it was frozen, however, it may still be usable.
Each freeze/thaw cycle 
contributes to the degradation of sealants and finishes. In the event that the product went through multiple freeze/thaw cycles (or more cycles than recommended by the manufacturer) it is most likely that the product is no longer suitable for use and best to start again with a fresh batch.
In the event that the sealant or finish does get frozen, it is best to let the product stay frozen for the duration of the season, rather that bring it inside to thaw and risk it being frozen again. The succession of the freeze/thaw cycle occurring repeatedly is what primarily causes the breakdown of the product.
See below for product by product guidelines for freeze/thaw stability. Unless otherwise stated all products distributed by LogFinish.com should ideally be stored in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
| Product | Classification | Shelf Life |
| Outlast Q8 Log Oil | Freeze/Thaw Stable | Indefinite when stored in a cool, dry place. |
| NBS 30 | Freeze/Thaw Stable | Indefinite when stored in a cool, dry place unopened. |
| Mold-Buster Mildewcide | Freeze/Thaw Stable | 3-4 years when unopened and not allowed to freeze. |
| Bug Juice | Freeze Thaw Stable | Not opened should last up to 2 years. Opened but recapped/tightly sealed same amount of time. If container is not sealed properly, over time it will dry out. |
| Sikkens Proluxe Cetol Log & Siding | Freezable | 5 year maximum shelf life when unopened. |
| Sikkens Proluxe SRD | Freezable | 2 years maximum when unopened. |
| Sikkens Proluxe Cetol Maintenance | Freezable | 5 years maximum when unopened. |
| WeatherSeal | Freeze/Thaw Stable (through at least 10 cycles) | 8-10 years when properly sealed. Make sure to remove skin and stir thoroughly before use. |
| Lifeline Ultra 7 | Limited Freeze/Thaw Stable (through 5 cycles) | 3 years |
| Lifeline Ultra 2 | Freeze/Thaw Stable | 3 years |
| Lifeline Interior | Freeze/Thaw Stable | 3 Years |
| Lifeline Acrylic | Freeze/Thaw Stable | 3 Years |
| Lifeline Advance | Freeze/Thaw Stable | 3 Years |
| Energy Seal | Freeze/Thaw Stable | 3 Years |
| Perma-Chink Log Chinking | Freeze/Thaw Stable | 3 Years |
| CheckMate 2 | Freeze/Thaw Stable | 1 Year |
| Seal Once Poly Blend | Freeze/Thaw Stable up to 3 cycles | Unopened shelf life of 18 months. |
| Seal Once Total Wood Protection | Freeze/Thaw Stable up to 3 cycles | Indefinite when unopened and stored in cool, dry place. |
Hi Horton,
Woodguard can be stored in much the same way as Outlast Q8 Log Oil. It has an indefinite shelf life, though we don’t recommend using it if it has been sitting in storage for over 5 years. If Woodguard will be in storage for a long period of time, we recommend shaking the container at least once annually to keep the pigments suspended in the solution.
What about Woodgard?