Due to changing regulations in California, the Chem-Dip (part #0996) formula changed slightly about two years ago. A portion of the primary active ingredient was replaced by an odorless active ingredient. However, even the original, primary active is fairly low in odor. The warning label on back will say it contains 2-butoxyethanol and sodium gluconate. If the old Chem-Dip you're referring is two-phase with a yellowish layer on top of a medium-brown layer and is very strong in odor, then you have our professional-grade Chem-Dip, which is solvent-based and very aggressive. The warning label on the back of that product will say it contains methylene chloride, xylenes, and sodium bichromate. If your old can is the aggressive, solvent-based product, then unfortunately it is unavailable in a 1-gallon paint can. Instead, it is only available in an open-top, 5-gallon can (part #0905) and a rectangular, 1-gallon replenishment can (part #0901) designed to "top off" a 5-gallon can. All that is to help you determine what your old can is and why the new can may seem substantially different. If your old can is the solvent-based stuff and that's what you want this time around, too, then you'll need to return the #0996 and get the #0905 (or #0901).

Thanks you are 100% correct I do have 1 can of the very strong smelling Dichloromethane / sodium bichromate and 1 can of the 2-Butoxyethanol. What do they mean by "top off" (part #0901). Isnt that the same as whats in my 1 gallon can? I still have pleany of the strong smelling stuff its just dirty. Can I strain out the sediment and keep using it? Thanks, George.