DIY tips

Flanging_Fred

Does anyone have any tips how I can stop sealant/adhesive cartidges drying out between useage?

 I'm redecorating my cloakroom at the moment but everytime I get a cartidge of silicon sealant I use about 5% of it and then it goes in the garage for "next time".  But every time I do this it dries out by the time I next need it next (which could be some a long time to be fair).   I'm just tired of throwing out nearly full cartridges.

cling film over the end?  Nail as a spingott?

randella

Stick a long screw in the nozzle, keeps them for a bit longer but not forever.

Interested to see if there are any more magic tips!

BigMonka

Some of the fancier tubes of sealant come with screw caps which help a bit.
I saw something on facebook the other day about melting a bit of plastic milk bottle over the end, but it seemed too much like hard work to me! http://www.instructables.com/id/Resealing-Half-Used-Caulk-Tubes/

octatonic

I put a plastic barrier over it- using plumbers tape and then jam the cap back on after that.
It doesn't stop it completely but it is usually ok for one or two more uses.

breakstuff

Some tubes come with their own screw caps, but if they don't I usually seal it with a few wraps of electrical tape.If it does go off,it's usually only the silicon in the nozzle that sets and you can prize it out.

Alternatively, when you buy a new tube,don't cut the nozzle and use one off an old tube.You can then use the new,uncut nozzel to seal the tube.

Corvus

I put masking tape over the end, hanging upside seems to help too. Less air in contact with the glop left in the spout. Still need to fish out the plug from the spout and doesn't make 'em last forever but does seem to help.

octatonic

One thing that can help is to remove the plastic nozzle and clean it out- put the tape over the main cartridge and then reattach the clean nozzle.

PolarityMan

just find more things to seal

mart

Run some sealant round the nozzle.

Emp_Fab

@Flanging_Fred I can't believe you've asked that as I read the answer to that exact problem last week!!

The solution is.... Vaseline.  When you're done sealing stuff, pull the plunger back a bit and hopefully the sealant will retract a bit in the nozzle, then push a cm or so of Vaseline down the end of the nozzle.  This keeps an airtight seal and the contents never dry out.  When you go to reuse it, just squeeze out the Vaseline until you get just sealant again and you're good to go.

Works with all kinds of tube-based stuff that dries out apparently.

breakstuff

Emp_Fab said:

The solution is.... Vaseline.  When you're done sealing stuff, pull the plunger back a bit and hopefully the sealant will retract a bit in the nozzle, then push a cm or so of Vaseline down the end of the nozzle.  This keeps an airtight seal and the contents never dry out.  When you go to reuse it, just squeeze out the Vaseline until you get just sealant again and you're good to go.

I'm thinking your erotic novel may need a few tweeks Emp.

Emp_Fab

Haha! You're a bad man Mr Breakstuff.

sev112

Wooden kebab skewers - through the nozzle a sufficient length then break off

next time take the cap/ nozzle off, mobilise the skewer again and bobs your uncle, nice open nozzle again, screw back on and off you go

Winny_Pooh

^ that's got to be more painful than Vaseline.





Sick bastard 

Flanging_Fred

Oh wow.  Thanks chaps I'll certainly be giving some of these ideas a go.  The Vaseline idea sounds like it may have legs, also the plumbers tape (I assume PTFE stuff).  It just. So happens I have both in my guitar toolbox.

Does anyone else have any other DIY tips to share? It could turn into a useful thread...

breakstuff

Flanging_Fred said:

Does anyone else have any other DIY tips to share? It could turn into a useful thread...

Get someone else in to do it.

BigMonka

Flanging_Fred said:

Oh wow.  Thanks chaps I'll certainly be giving some of these ideas a go.  The Vaseline idea sounds like it may have legs, also the plumbers tape (I assume PTFE stuff).  It just. So happens I have both in my guitar toolbox.

Does anyone else have any other DIY tips to share? It could turn into a useful thread...

I'm intrigued as to the reason for PTFE tape in your guitar toolbox?

Flanging_Fred

BigMonka said:

Flanging_Fred said:

Oh wow.  Thanks chaps I'll certainly be giving some of these ideas a go.  The Vaseline idea sounds like it may have legs, also the plumbers tape (I assume PTFE stuff).  It just. So happens I have both in my guitar toolbox.

Does anyone else have any other DIY tips to share? It could turn into a useful thread...

I'm intrigued as to the reason for PTFE tape in your guitar toolbox?

Wobbly trem arms. Put a bit around the thread tightens them up a bit. It also worked on a worn floyd rose stud thread.

snakemanStoo

Mrs Stoo uses blu-tac.  She says it works well to seal the tube things.

octatonic

Flanging_Fred said:

BigMonka said:

Flanging_Fred said:

Oh wow.  Thanks chaps I'll certainly be giving some of these ideas a go.  The Vaseline idea sounds like it may have legs, also the plumbers tape (I assume PTFE stuff).  It just. So happens I have both in my guitar toolbox.

Does anyone else have any other DIY tips to share? It could turn into a useful thread...

I'm intrigued as to the reason for PTFE tape in your guitar toolbox?

Wobbly trem arms. Put a bit around the thread tightens them up a bit. It also worked on a worn floyd rose stud thread.

Yup.

equalsql

Emp_Fab said:

@Flanging_Fred I can't believe you've asked that as I read the answer to that exact problem last week!!

The solution is.... Vaseline.  When you're done sealing stuff, pull the plunger back a bit and hopefully the sealant will retract a bit in the nozzle, then push a cm or so of Vaseline down the end of the nozzle.  This keeps an airtight seal and the contents never dry out.  When you go to reuse it, just squeeze out the Vaseline until you get just sealant again and you're good to go.

Works with all kinds of tube-based stuff that dries out apparently.

Will KY Jelly work?