So I just got a new batch of hypo. Open up the drum and no smell. I stick my nose right down to the drum and barely anything. Normally when I get a new batch, it's VERY strong and can barely handle it, to the point I feel I need a mask. I look at the drum and it has a stamp of 11-2-11. So I call up the the distributor and express my concern. I'm told the stamp is the date the drum was cleaned. I'm told to look for the lot number. She says that batch was mixed at the end of February, which would only be a few weeks old. I didn't do the fingers test to see if it got hot yet. But I tell the distributor that I think I got either a bad batch or an old batch. They say they'll look into it and call back. Later on they call and say they called ''their'' distributor and they said it won't smell when it's fresh. It will smell after it sits for a little while. HUH? I said I've been doing this for more then a few years and I'm not calling anybody a liar but I"ve never heard that one before. Anybody care to tell me they've heard that before?
Here is what I found, I get my SH delivered from a tanker, Hot stuff 12-15%. It doesn't really smell when its getting delivered because its not being agitated. When it gets put into the air like how your sprayer would mist it, then you really start to get the smell. Stuff is most likely still hot.
I have always been able to smell mine except once it goes bad. My distributor paints the date on the drum after it is filled. Like you mentioned see if it is slippery still. When goes bad it turns back to sea water and is not slippery.
I did a roof demo the other day and was shocked there was little smell! I mixed at my house and drove to the job, Maybe 5-7 miles. Once I got there I opened the vent on the tank and then I could smell it. I think Dan from Apex is right !! I dint do finger test either but I will next time
I just always dab a small portion of an old red or green shirt in it, if the shirt bleaches out, I know it's good. Also gives me some idea of how fast it acts.