Shelf life of joint compound

 Hi:
I am a tightwad.
I have a beautiful 3/4 pail of joint compound.
The only problem is that it is about 10 years old.
There were about 2 inches of clear liquid on top of the gray stuff.
When mixed it looks OK.
I am trying some on a small patch on the wall.
If it doesn't work, the choice is easy; dump it.
If it does work, will it last?
Thanks in advance.
Peter Crawford

P.S.
To give you an idea how tight I am, I once disconnected a door bell
light to save an estimated 10 cents per year. I also use the mantra:
Reduce, reuse, recycle for everything. For me saving money AND the
environment is a very powerful combination.

 
"Peter Crawford" wrote in message

Word has it, if you urinate in the pail, find some dog doo out of the
yard.  Mix thoroughly b/4 applying, something about the acid in the
urine breaks down the chemical product in the joint compound.  This will
either work and stink like hell.  Or it will make it easier to let the
moths out of your wallet and buy some new!

 sometimes guys leave a 1/2 inch of water on top of the mud to keep it from
drying in the can.When they use it again they just remix it . Being thrifty
is fine ,just be aware of what your time is worth.


   -

 On 28 Sep 2003 16:55:36 -0700, someone wrote:


The key is mixing it.  I thinbk the liquid on top is a good thing as
it suggests no little dried up chunks from spots that were exposed.

Once you put it on the wall and it dries, it is supposed to last the
life of the wall, so I don't think its a matter of it not "lasting"
once its up.  They Q is, does it go on smooth without little chunks.

If it does I'd think you would be okay.

If it doesn't and you don't need much, buy a little homeowner sized
tub so you won't feel so bad about throwing it away in another 10
years.

I don't see it as a matter of "spoiling" so much as whether it is
still smooth enought to be applied properly.

-v.