Researching how to preserve photographic chemicals, I came across this possible solution. It has made a HUGE difference in how long my chemistry stays useable, is shockingly good at preserving wine, and works with inks/paints as well.

The product does a superb job protecting paints, stains, shellacs, etc. in their storage can. Just lift the lid a crack and spray, then seal the lid. The product is heavier than air and provides an inert layer between the paint and the oxygen in the can, prolonging the life of the paint and slowing down the process that creates a skim-layer or hardens the product in your paint can.

I've literally been using it for 20+ years and have expensive autobody hardners (very expensive and famous for hardening up in the can pretty quick) which are like 25 years old, and still good. Every once in a while I need a little acrylic hardener for a job and this keeps it from hardening up.

It works great on oil based clears, varnishes, automotive paint and other products. I usually keep a bottle of crazy glue on the shop bench for misc repairs here and there. I give a squirt of this before putting the cap back on to keep it from hardening up. In the long run using Bloxygen saves money.

I've tried every "trick" I could discover or think of the keep stains, finishes and oil-based paints from skinning over or becoming thick and unusable over a few months time after opening. I tried this product based on a recommendation from a woodworker's guild. I couldn't be more pleased with the results. I haven't had any of the above mentioned products go bad since I began to use this product which has been about 4-5 years now. If you try this product you will think you have bought an empty can because it's just argon gas and feels like it's empty. I have also used it off-label for keeping Barge's Contact Cement from going bad with great success. The customer service is outstanding if you have a question or concern.

I do a lot of smaller projects, the kind that might use 1/20 quart of Waterlox, or less, per coat. Without Bloxygen, I've had skin-over begin as early as 10 days after opening, even though I don't keep the quart open longer than it takes to pour some into a working container. One can of Bloxygen has lasted me more than a year, and I no longer waste ANY finish, and I never have to make the hard call to toss semi-old varnish.