Shop consumables
The shelf where nothing looks like it could expire, and half of it already has. Aerosols are rated for their cans rather than their contents, duct tape gets 12 months from the day it was made, and the year on a battery pack is a shelf life that says nothing about how long the cell will run your flashlight.
Updated
Hung fastest-first — the tags at the top go off soonest
- Brake cleanerSealed1–2 yearsDegraded performance
- Duct tapeSealedAbout 1 yearDegraded performance
- Sandpaper (adhesive-backed)SealedAbout 1 yearDegraded performance
- Carb cleanerSealed2–3 yearsDegraded performance
- Silicone spraySealedAbout 2 yearsDegraded performance
- Paint thinnerSealed3+ yearsDegraded performance
- Batteries (alkaline, lithium, rechargeable)Sealed5–10 years (alkaline)Equipment damage
- GreaseSealedAbout 5 yearsDegraded performance
- WD-40 & penetrating oilSealed5+ yearsHarmless