I just opened a new tube of Silicone and used a very small amount. So, Im asking for suggestions for storing the unused portion so that it remains usable for the longest time. I have heard conflicting advice on storing the remains of the tube in either the fridge or the Freezer. Anyone with experience want to make a comment?
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Iza
Semi-permanent state of being Recreationally Outraged as a defence against boredom during lockdown.
Never heard of the fridge or freezer trick but what I do is I unscrew the nozzle and right away I take a disposable glove using it double layered I place it over the tube and then screw the nozzle back on. I do use a kebab stick to remove a good portion of the silicone from the nozzle so that when it dries it is easy to remove the remainder.
I suppose I could have cut a portion of the glove off and and used it on others but have a heap of gloves .
-- Edited by TimTim on Monday 30th of January 2023 08:40:49 PM
Hi
I am a qualified painter but that means nothing but I did learn on my travels in this beautiful country when I worked in a caravan park with some plumbers and they said put a flathead nail in the end of the tube and just put in the fridge also works with no more gaps as well
Cheers
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John
2017 dmax lovells upgrade full CSM trade aluminium canopy,3.5 m quintrex tinny and rear boat loader mangrove jack aluminium trailer
Never heard of the fridge or freezer trick but what I do is I unscrew the nozzle and right away I take a disposable glove using it double layered I place it over the tube and then screw the nozzle back on. I do use a kebab stick to remove a good portion of the silicone from the nozzle so that when it dries it is easy to remove the remainder.
I suppose I could have cut a portion of the glove off and and used it on others but have a heap of gloves .
-- Edited by TimTim on Monday 30th of January 2023 08:40:49 PM
I do basically the same but with a piece of cling wrap. works fine no need to put it in the fridge. Landy
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Firstly a technical point on highrise buildings flush glazing. The glass is bonded in with silicone & left to cure for a month in the factory in a sub frame & not moved. The silicone cures about 1mm per 24 hours, there is about a 30mm bonding thickness around the edge of the glass. The air cures the silicone. (3 decades ago I did a University short course on building glazing)
You have to seal the silicone as thoroughly as possible & with multiple barriers to stop air leaking in in any small amount so the tube of silicone lasts longer.
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When in the Big Green Shed grab a handful of new uncut nozzles from the paint dept and use one of them. Usually half a dozen nozzles will be enough for the average size tube of silicon sealant,
I always grab a handful of them each time I buy a cartridge tube.
I have done both, fridge and freezer. Found depending on the brand is directly proportional to
the success. Some like the fridge, some are better in the freezer. Freezer is always my preferred
option, however time consideration is required if in the freezer. Does not come out of the
cartridge very well if frozen.
Also store Liquid Nails in the freezer.
Super glue also goes well in the freezer. Was taught that trick by a glazier.
I have kept used tubes of Silicone or similar in the fridge for years successfully. I have just checked 2 tubes of Sikaflex that are in the fridge, 1 black and 1 white and both still OK after about 12 months approx. Depending on the next job, I need one for next, I will check but more than likely chuck out and get new ones
I can't remember where or exactly when I was told about the trick now but more than likely when I was still chasing young squaws around the camp.
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You can buy the small 150 g tubes from the green shed for around $5, then when it goes off after a few weeks it doesn't really matter, I keep an unopened one in my toolkit just in case . Ian
I was a tech rep for a major sealant/adhesive manufacturer in Australia for several years.
My recommendation is to store all acetic or moisture cure sealant/adhesive in the fridge for a longer life and storage.
As all sealants/adhesives cure from exposure to the atmosphere by chemical fusion or drawing on ambient moisture for curing.
The sealant will only cure or harden from the end of the nozzle towards the cartridge or tube.
In theory, if the sealant cures at a rate of say 10 mm per 24 hour period, depending on the temp, the sealant should cure at the same rate inside the nozzle.
When ready for the next use, simply remove the nozzle clean or replace with a new nozzle and you should be ready to go.
I was a tech rep for a major sealant/adhesive manufacturer in Australia for several years.
My recommendation is to store all acetic or moisture cure sealant/adhesive in the fridge for a longer life and storage.
As all sealants/adhesives cure from exposure to the atmosphere by chemical fusion or drawing on ambient moisture for curing.
The sealant will only cure or harden from the end of the nozzle towards the cartridge or tube.
In theory, if the sealant cures at a rate of say 10 mm per 24 hour period, depending on the temp, the sealant should cure at the same rate inside the nozzle.
When ready for the next use, simply remove the nozzle clean or replace with a new nozzle and you should be ready to go.
I'm an electronics engineer (now retired) and have spent a lifetime building a store of knowledge which will be totally lost when I die which seems such a waste - a pity we cannot do a USB download of our brains :) otoh perhaps by striving to acquire knowledge the younger engineers will find avenues of discovery which eluded me and may be missed if they could simply do an upload from me?
The tradesmen of bygone times passed their knowledge to an apprentice but, as best I can see, there are few trades today which require the high skill levels of those of yesteryear.
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I think that the brand of material also matters.
The stuff from Bunnings goes off really quickly whilst the Soudal stuff I get at a local hardware place lasts for ages in the shed. That's my experience FWIW.
I think that the brand of material also matters. The stuff from Bunnings goes off really quickly whilst the Soudal stuff I get at a local hardware place lasts for ages in the shed. That's my experience FWIW.
Same deal with paint, don't bother washing everything between coats, just put roller and tray in a plastic bag and put it in the fridge, wash up after the second coat .
Never heard of the fridge or freezer trick but what I do is I unscrew the nozzle and right away I take a disposable glove using it double layered I place it over the tube and then screw the nozzle back on. I do use a kebab stick to remove a good portion of the silicone from the nozzle so that when it dries it is easy to remove the remainder.
