Identifying stale PVC primer?

[J.Btfsplk]

Hey folks,
I'm hoping you might be able to help me with a question about my pvc primer.

I'm a rank neophyte in plumbing. I thought that primer would always take the writing off the pvc, and that that was the way to know it was working. The primer from a previously opened partial can I was using didn't remove the black writing despite at least 10 passes. When I added the cement layer that didn't remove it either. Thinking maybe the primer was stale, I opened a new can, but it didn't remove the writing either. I didn't put on the cement the 2nd attempt because I was puzzled about the primer.

Does this mean that both cans of primer happen to be stale? Or does primer not always remove writing? This pipe has black writing not the red kind, if that makes a difference.

Appreciate any insight anyone can share on this. Thanks!

 

[James Henry]

If their old cans just throw them away, not worth the risk.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reach4]

I would think if it is still liquid, it is still good. However Oatey says 3 year shelf life. https://www.oatey.com/faqs-blog-vid...-shelf-life-solvent-cement-primer-and-cleaner

Your test with a new can of primer proves that the test of removing black writing is not useful.

 

[J.Btfsplk]

Thanks, @James Henry and @Reach4.

This morning, I checked the primer in the new/fresh can (opened last night) on a pvc scrap w different printing on it. It took the printing off right away - and again, still had no effect on the writing on the other pipe that caused all the questions.

That's enough to convince me that good, active primer doesn't always remove the writing! Put another way, the primer may still be good even if it doesn't remove writing.

. . . which is kind of a bummer, actually. I thought the writing erasure thing was a handy proof to check your primer, but no such luck.

Thanks, again

 

[Weekend Handyman]

Not a plumber. A lot of those products have date stamps / expiration windows. As a DIYer, I usually buy the smallest quantity available and throw away it away, if expired before my next project.