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Silicon sealant tubes
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- Lemon Half
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Silicon sealant tubes
Grrr, I had a few choice words to say about Wickes over the weekend. But I still have no idea how it could have happened. Thoughts?
About a month ago, I bought a tube of Wickes's own-brand silicon sealant in readiness for an upcoming job. On Saturday I opened it and cut the seal - which, for those who don't know these things, means cutting away a 'dome' of solid plastic from the body of the sealant tube. And blow me, the contents inside had gone solid like rubber from end to end.
Something that should only be able to happen once the silicon sealant has been exposed to the air. Which, of course, it couldn't have, unless the back seal had been leaky as well. And even then, it would have had to be a pretty comprehensive leak to have 'turned' the sealant all the way back to the nozzle.
It's not the money that annoys me (about a fiver, and no, I didn't keep the receipt). It's the nuisance value of the failure, and the surprise of discovering that this can happen at all. Does silicon sealant "go off" with age, even in the absence of air?
BJ
About a month ago, I bought a tube of Wickes's own-brand silicon sealant in readiness for an upcoming job. On Saturday I opened it and cut the seal - which, for those who don't know these things, means cutting away a 'dome' of solid plastic from the body of the sealant tube. And blow me, the contents inside had gone solid like rubber from end to end.
Something that should only be able to happen once the silicon sealant has been exposed to the air. Which, of course, it couldn't have, unless the back seal had been leaky as well. And even then, it would have had to be a pretty comprehensive leak to have 'turned' the sealant all the way back to the nozzle.
It's not the money that annoys me (about a fiver, and no, I didn't keep the receipt). It's the nuisance value of the failure, and the surprise of discovering that this can happen at all. Does silicon sealant "go off" with age, even in the absence of air?
BJ
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- Lemon Slice
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
I believe silicone can go off. According to the below website:
http://www.everkemproducts.com/silicone-sealants-faq/
Is there an expiry date or batch number on the tube?
If the silicone has hardened (cured) in the tube, it can not be used and has most likely passed its shelf-life.
http://www.everkemproducts.com/silicone-sealants-faq/
Is there an expiry date or batch number on the tube?
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- Lemon Half
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
That is pretty bad for a new tube!
Some years ago, I attempted to save the rest of a part used tube by placing clingfilm over the end of the tube and screwing the nozzle back on to hold it in place. Well, it was an expensive German brand . . .
Eighteen months later, I went to use it again and it was still usable and what was applied hasn't failed since. The biggest problem was extracting the set sealant from the nozzle so I could use it again. A lesson for the future - remove it before it sets!
Watis
Some years ago, I attempted to save the rest of a part used tube by placing clingfilm over the end of the tube and screwing the nozzle back on to hold it in place. Well, it was an expensive German brand . . .
Eighteen months later, I went to use it again and it was still usable and what was applied hasn't failed since. The biggest problem was extracting the set sealant from the nozzle so I could use it again. A lesson for the future - remove it before it sets!
Watis
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- Lemon Slice
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
Watis wrote:That is pretty bad for a new tube!
Some years ago, I attempted to save the rest of a part used tube by placing clingfilm over the end of the tube and screwing the nozzle back on to hold it in place. Well, it was an expensive German brand . . .
Eighteen months later, I went to use it again and it was still usable and what was applied hasn't failed since. The biggest problem was extracting the set sealant from the nozzle so I could use it again. A lesson for the future - remove it before it sets!
Watis
I always screw a nail into the opening of the nozzle (providing of course that you don't cut the nozzle hole larger). Has worked a treat for me so far.
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
Watis wrote:That is pretty bad for a new tube!
Some years ago, I attempted to save the rest of a part used tube by placing clingfilm over the end of the tube and screwing the nozzle back on to hold it in place. Well, it was an expensive German brand . . .
Eighteen months later, I went to use it again and it was still usable and what was applied hasn't failed since. The biggest problem was extracting the set sealant from the nozzle so I could use it again. A lesson for the future - remove it before it sets!
Watis
The stuff in the nozzle will always set after a short time, but some clingfilm over the edge will generally reduce it. You can ten remove the nozzle and push the solid plug back through the remaining gloop to remove it, but it is messy.
I since found you can get packs of the screw on nozzles from poundland, so rather than faff I just unscrew the old one and waste the bit of runny sealant already in there.
Back to the OP - I've used tubes that have been open for a year or more with no problem - it was a faulty tube or batch so take it back - Wickes are very good with returns and will be fine with exchange or credit note without a receipt, and might refund if they've had a few.
paul
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
About a month ago, I bought a tube of Wickes's own-brand silicon sealant in readiness for an upcoming job. On Saturday I opened it and cut the seal - which, for those who don't know these things, means cutting away a 'dome' of solid plastic from the body of the sealant tube. And blow me, the contents inside had gone solid like rubber from end to end.
I've had this happen from time to time with part-used tubes (I only ever buy a new one when I need it straightaway ). I've always assumed that the seal at the plunger end just seeps a bit aggravated by temperature cycling in the garage.
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
What surprises me is that nobody supplies a cap to screw on a part used tube that would seal it. From what I can make out they all have the same thread.
I guess there is just no money to be made from it.
I guess there is just no money to be made from it.
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
I bought 50 nozzles via eBay, complete with screw-on caps and five 45 degree adaptors. Smaller quantities are available.
Julian F. G. W.
Julian F. G. W.
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- Lemon Slice
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
richlist wrote:What surprises me is that nobody supplies a cap to screw on a part used tube that would seal it. From what I can make out they all have the same thread.
I guess there is just no money to be made from it.
Will look forward to seeing you on Dragons Den!
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- Lemon Slice
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
jfgw wrote:I bought 50 nozzles via eBay, complete with screw-on caps and five 45 degree adaptors. Smaller quantities are available.
Julian F. G. W.
Thanks Julian - I've just bought some of these.
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
I've always been able to pull out the hard plug. I wrap the end in clingfilm, put on the small cap, and then wrap again in clingfilm. Good for a year at least.
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- Lemon Slice
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
richlist wrote:What surprises me is that nobody supplies a cap to screw on a part used tube that would seal it.
When our specialist "mastic man" comes to site he brings a box full of various tubes of different types and colours of sealant. The open end of the nozzle of each part-used tube is neatly covered with a fold of insulating tape, which is replaced with a fresh piece immediately after he's finished. The tape forms a tab (if you will) which is easily just pulled off. The material in the nozzle hasn't had a chance to form a crust because it's sealed straight away, so he's always ready to go.
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
Aren't all these suggestions a bit make do ?
Its expecting me to have cling film or insulating tape with me......which isnt always the case.
Its expecting me to have cling film or insulating tape with me......which isnt always the case.
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
richlist wrote:Aren't all these suggestions a bit make do ?
Its expecting me to have cling film or insulating tape with me......which isnt always the case.
You should always have these things - and a towel - with you.
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
So it's ok for toothpaste tube users to get a screw on cap but it's not ok for the rest of us who do building work, we have to sort out our own.
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- Lemon Slice
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
richlist wrote:Aren't all these suggestions a bit make do ?
Its expecting me to have cling film or insulating tape with me......which isnt always the case.
I'm sure you'll have a screw with you? Screw the screw (galvanised preferable) into the hole. Works for me every time. Just unscrew when you want to use it again. Easier if you have a screwdriver with you though. You can then cover with some tape if you like, but I have never bothered with this.
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- Lemon Half
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
Slightly off topic but I was sitting on the train next to a plumber just before Xmas.
He was returning home to Hastings from a job completely refurbishing the Holiday Inn in Southampton...over 100 bathrooms.
He told me about "the silicone man". You might think that the tiler or decorator would apply the silicone as part of their job, but no, there is a guy who comes in at the end of the job when everyone else has finished and seals everything and covers all joins and gaps with silicone.
The best part though...the silicone man comes to work in a new Ferrari.
John
He was returning home to Hastings from a job completely refurbishing the Holiday Inn in Southampton...over 100 bathrooms.
He told me about "the silicone man". You might think that the tiler or decorator would apply the silicone as part of their job, but no, there is a guy who comes in at the end of the job when everyone else has finished and seals everything and covers all joins and gaps with silicone.
The best part though...the silicone man comes to work in a new Ferrari.
John
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
Great anecdote, John. Siliconing is one of the most satisfying DIY jobs, together with repointing brickwork. Unfortunately my 1971 yellow brick bungalow does not need repointing but luckily the sloping back garden has some retaining walls I can have fun with in the summer.
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- Lemon Quarter
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Re: Silicon sealant tubes
Two jobs (out of many) I have never properly mastered:
- applying a long uniform bead of silicone sealant in one sweep with no touch-up
- applying glazing putty such that the result is (and remains) flat. Yes, I've watched the Youtube videos!
Just born ham-fisted I suppose.
- applying a long uniform bead of silicone sealant in one sweep with no touch-up
- applying glazing putty such that the result is (and remains) flat. Yes, I've watched the Youtube videos!
Just born ham-fisted I suppose.
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