Our most popular questions are here in this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Sometimes, however, more involved questions come up. Feel free to contact IronWood Designs for any comments or concerns. We'd be happy to help. Let us know what to add or delete here and we'll be happy to include your comments.
What is the name for?
BlOxygen stands for "Blocks Oxygen." Pronounced BLOCKS-a-JEN, this product uses heavy, inert gases to shield leftover finishes so they won't gel or skin over.
Why would we need that?
You will actually be saving money by using BlOxygen. You will preserve our environment and resources by using all of your finish, not just the first half. You will save time when you start a finishing job because you won't have to clean the skin off of your finish.
Because BlOxygen prevents the skin from forming, the hardened finish won't clog your spray gun or come off while you are brushing. Avoiding clogs and chunks in your final finish, you will be able to work faster.
While this is a new product, it is based on proven technology. Inert gas preservation has been used in the wine, coffee, and food industries for over a decade.
BlOxygen is new, but many of our industry's finest have already accepted this idea as simple, smart, and clean.
What's the real PROBLEM?
No matter how tight the lid is, our expensive oil finishes always skin over or gel when stored.
What can we do?
Simply, we need to prevent any oxygen from reacting with the finish. By using a protective blanket of inert gas to purge the container, you can store your finish safely and use ALL of it, not just the first half.
Why do they skin over? Is this bad?
Oil-Based products dry and harden by absorbing oxygen. When we store these products, the oxygen that's sealed in the container continues to dry and thicken the product, eventually forming a skin over the top. This skin is wasteful, time consuming, and messy to remove. Sometimes, hardened particles can clog spray guns, ruin the final finish, or even destroy the remaining finish.
How can we get rid of the problem?
BlOxygen uses a special blend of inert gases to drive the oxygen out of your container. Simply blow the oxygen out of your container with BlOxygen and then seal the lid. The heavy, inert BlOxygen gases sink down to block oxygen from the liquid surface. Because BlOxygen is heavier than air, it will separate the liquid surface from any air that may remain in the container.
What are the benefits of BlOxygen?
Use all your finish, not just the first half
Eliminate spray gun clogs and jams Reduce your hazardous waste / product loss Avoid paying a premium for small volumes of finish Improve the quality of the final application Prevent changes in product chemistry during storage Save time by making finishing easier and storage quicker Store your leftovers safely, in the original, labeled containers
How will BlOxygen save us money?
Each can will provide 150 seconds of gas. That's enough gas for 75 uses inquarts. Given that a quart of premium varnish can cost $40 or more, saving just one half of one quart will pay for your BlOxygen. The additional 74 uses are "free."
What can we use it on?
fine finishes - oil-based paint - varnishes - polyurethane - oil stains - paste wood fillers -resins - putty fillers - oil-based inks - photo chemicals - dyes - polished metals
Anything that "spoils" by reacting with oxygen or mositure will do better in a dry, oxygen free environment. Water-based finishes including latex and solvent-release finishes like lacquer will not benefit from BlOxygen since they don't cure with oxygen.
Can BlOxygen be shipped?
Yes. The containers are DOT-reg. 2Q plus (18 bar) aluminum aerosol cans and they are shippable as an ORM-D consumer commodity (UN# is 1950 / 2.2).
I want to know more....
BlOxygen is a special mixture of nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide. A full can, because it only contains gas, feels empty. The gas mixture is non-toxic, non-flammable, and tasteless. All three gases exist naturally in our air. All the gases used are FDA approved medical equivalent quality. There are no CFCs, VOCs, or added propellents.
Where have we seen this?
In January 1997, Popular Woodworking gave this idea the Best Tip award. Since then, BlOxygen has been in Woodshop News , Woodshop Business andAmerican Woodworker. In issue #129 (p.96) of Fine WoodWorking, JeffJewitt, the finishing author, says "The idea ... is quite simple" and "[BlOxygen] performed well on oil-based products." Also, check out other reviews in Wood and Workbench magazines.
Where can we get BlOxygen?
BlOxygen is available from several sources. We are adding more and more distributors daily. Catalog outlets include Lee Valley Tools, Klingspore's Sanding Catalog, Highland Hardware, The Japan Woodworker, Woodworker's Supply, and Woodcraft. Retail outlets include The Woodworker's Store (15locations), The Japan Woodworker, Woodworker's Supply, Packard Woodworks, and others. Lee Valley has a private label version of this product.
WHO'S PRODUCT IS THIS?
BlOxygen is the result of a partnership between Private Preserve and IronWood Designs. Both companies are based in California. Private Preserve is an established manufacturer of a gas blanket product used in the wine industry. Their acceptance among wineenthusiasts continues to grow and international shipments are now a part of their everyday activities. In 1996, IronWood Designs started using the Private Preserve wine preservative to store our leftover finishes, resins, and oils. They spread the word and the woodworking community tried (and liked) the idea. As a matter of fact, the January 1997 Popular Woodworking awarded theidea their "Best Tip of the Month." The actual factory is in Arizona and all components are made in the USA.
What if we have problems with BlOxygen?
We will make EVERY effort to satisfy any concern. There are only three problems we've ever seen:
1. Not Enough Gas Used: The entire storage container must be purged. You cannot use too much gas.
2. Slow Lid Seal: Once the container is purged, the lid must be immediately sealed into place.
3. Bad Finish: Once oil-based finishes absorb oxygen and skin over or gel, they will continue to have problems during storage. These finishes will never be the same. Start with new finish and use BlOxygen each and every time it's stored.
How can I test / demonstrate BlOxygen?
The testing we do is simple. We use two 40 ml sample bottles,*each filled halfway with the subject liquid. One vial is simplysealed as a "control" and the test container is carefully gassed with BlOxygen and then sealed. Once they are sealed, label and date them. To simulate use, open each vial once a week, remembering to use BlOxygen when sealing the test container. The sample protected with BlOxygen should remain the same as when new. Some of the unprotected "control" vials may get thicker as their viscosity increases; others will actually skin over. While some heavy-bodied paints will take weeks to show a difference, finishes like Behlen's Salad Bowl Finish will skin over unprotected in about a week. Check your sample by viewing the liquid moving around in the BlOxygen vial and compare that to the rigid skin in the unprotected sample. Jasco Tung Oil or Behlen Salad Bowl Finishskin over quickly and make for a great demonstration.
*Cole-Parmer Instrument Co. number E-08918-24, 3 7/8" x 1 1/8";borosilicate vial with rubber seal. 1-800-323-4340.
How much does it cost?
BlOxygen retails for $9.95. Each can is good for about 75 uses in quarts, 32 uses in gallons. BlOxygen is a product of IronWood Designs, P.O. Box 13838, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 - http://www.bloxygen.com
What about other solutions?
For years this problem has frustrated woodworkers and finishers. Of all the attempts to solve this problem (see below) none we've seen are as quick, as safe, or assuccessful.
What about marbles? Some folks try to eliminate the air space in their container by throwing marbles or rocks in the liquid. In addition to contaminating their product, they often find that cleaning the marbles results in lots of wasted time and product.
What about a smaller container? Transferring your liquid to a smaller container will reduce the air space, but you'll still have oxygen in there. Since the labeling was on the original container, tracking the instruction labels and warnings could be a problem.
What about exhaling into the container?As scuba divers or paramedics know, the air we exhale is NOT oxygen free. We inhale 21% oxygen and exhale about 15% oxygen.
What about tipping the container over?Storing your leftovers upside down will only guarantee that the skin will form on the "bottom" of the liquid. Your finish will still be ruined.
HOW DO YOU USE IT?
First, secure the extension tube into spray tip with twist motion
ALWAYS wear Safety Glasses.
Avoid splash...direct spray to side of container.
Hold container lid/top closely above opening of the container to capture the gas blanket.
Spray inside for 2 full seconds (quart size or less)
Spray inside for 4 full seconds (gallon size or more)
Replace lid on container immediately and capture the gas blanket. The gases now settle on the surface to prevent loss through drying and hardening.
Each can of BLOXYGEN provides over 150 seconds of protective gas.
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
The BLOXYGEN gases will last indefinitely. Since they are sealed in a container and cannot react with themselves or their container, they have an infinite shelf life.
PURCHASE SOURCES, OTHER QUESTIONS, OR FREE LITERATURE:
Contact
Address:
IronWood Designs
P.O. Box 13838
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Or purchase a case of 12 (15% discount and free shipping):
Here's a printable order form if you want to mail or fax your order. Order Form