keeping old ink workable?

When I had bought my first press, as well as when i more recently bought new type, they had come with the addition of some old ink that i’ve been using off and on. But more recently, the ink condition has gotten worse, dry-er, thicker, or with little bits of solidified ink mixed in. Is there a way to help it become more fluid, like with thinning oil paint back to its original state? Or is it more effective to just get some new, more capable ink. Some are worse off than others, but its getting to a point where it actually does effect the printing process for me.

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It is a luxury to print with new fresh ink.
I rarely enjoy that luxury as I have much old ink. It can be made much better. Not like new, but close.
With oil base ink, use your ink knife to cut into the crust at the side of the can. Perhaps one quarter of the circumference. Lift that piece of crust and the ink underneath should be very good. Remove what you need and fold the crust back. You may end up with some bits of hardened ink on the disc and rollers. They are a nuisance but can be picked off with the corner tip of a clean ink knife or other tool.
Rubber base ink doesn’t skin over, but does dry and get stiffer. If you can get it out of the can, you can improve it. Get some printers varnish from your ink/paper supply house.
Boiled linseed oil from the hardware store will work also. Spread the ink on a glass palate and add a couple of drops of the varnish or oil. Work the ink with the ink knife to get it where you want it. Go sparingly with the varnish/oil and only add a little more at a time.

Get some ink on your shirt.

I have 30 years old ink which still prints very well.
But this works only with oil based inks, as rubberbase inks will solidify over the years.
You can use oilsoaked bakingpaper to cover the ink surface, this will prevent it from drying out to quickly. But it is important, that you even out the surface before covering it with the paper.