The 040 is the batch number and the last three is the number can filled by that batch. If there would happen to be a problem with a product they will remove all of that batch from stores. They know exactly how many cans they filled from that specific
batch. Just a FYI I am a painting contractor of 24 years and I have ran into a exact situation with minwax before Sherwin Williams bought the company. It's still the same way today the numbers except you will see a 4 digit number with SCW underneath the
batch number. That is coding for Sherwin Williams.

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