Community Forums

Tomahawk · 11-01-2020, 04:16 PM

Anybody had any luck storing the 10oz tube of Dicor Sealants after opening them? I have tried using the Orange "Screw" Caulk saver from Harbor Freight with no luck. I use those regularly for construction adhesive. I don't mind the cost as much as I mind not having it on hand when I want it. Currently, I want to reseal the roof side edges, the front window, all the marker lights, the tail lights, and the slide rubber gasket to fiberglass side. Ideally I'd do this a few hours at a time over the course of a few days. It is a lot of masking and caulking for one session for me so I'd like to store the tube of sealant for a few days at a time.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Krbjmpr · 11-01-2020, 04:23 PM

I will sometimes use a large "Yellow" wirenut that has the sealant in it. Tends to hold on better, seal a bit better, and much less 'cured' dicor to squeeze out.

Depending on style of your caulk gun, you may be able to use "sausage gun" nozzles over the plastic tip of tube. These are removable, cleanable, and allow you to cut back the plastic tube back a lot to clear a blockage (cured sealant).

https://www.amazon.com/SUPER-NOZZLE-...ulk+gun+nozzle

fcbbob15 · 11-01-2020, 04:28 PM

Same as above for short term storage. I use a large blue wire nut as I tend to cut a larger opening on the nozzle.

Brad Wilf · 11-01-2020, 05:38 PM

Yes always a issue. I don’t think there’s a way for longer term, but for short term, couple weeks maybe a month, I run a bolt in the end same size as the cut opening and run a couple wraps of masking tape around it... biggest thing you want to keep the air out.

Today I was just joint and seem sealing the car I’m restoring, had a tube I did this to that sat for 4 weeks.. no problem.... air tight as you can.

bpu699 · 11-01-2020, 06:34 PM

Buy the aluminum foil tape they sell at homedepot by the furnace stuff. Forms a permanent airtight seal. Just cut a piece about 4 inches long, fold over the tip, seal the sides by pinching... all done...

Piece of ziploc bag and a rubber band work great too...

l1v3fr33ord1 · 11-02-2020, 04:08 AM

I saw this method online, and it seems to work for short-term storage (a few weeks). I'll let you know next Summer if it works for longer-term.

1) Cut the finger off a nitrile glove- say, two inches or so
2) Slip the piece over the end of the tube, leaving about a half-inch beyond the end of the nozzle
3) Use duct tape to secure the piece to the nozzle. A couple of wraps with a piece about 5 inches long seems to work best.
4) "Inflate" the piece of glove until it's full with the caulking tube contents

Note: If you notice any of the contents oozing out a hole in the piece of glove, start over.

jergle · 11-02-2020, 07:30 AM

I have tried all of the above with limited success (ok for short term, but not more than a month or so). I read this tip on the internet, and have tried it a couple times. Seems to work, but not sure how long term yet. Light a jar candle, and then dip the end of the tube in the melted wax a couple times to get a wax seal over the tip. It's worth trying, and easy enough.

tpaul · 11-02-2020, 01:32 PM

I've had really good luck with these. I think I got them at Lowe's

Jyrocharlie · 11-02-2020, 01:50 PM

Tiny Prophylactics made for saving tubes of stuff. I have some too, they work great.

OFilippov · 11-02-2020, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpu699

Buy the aluminum foil tape they sell at homedepot by the furnace stuff. Forms a permanent airtight seal. Just cut a piece about 4 inches long, fold over the tip, seal the sides by pinching... all done...

Piece of ziploc bag and a rubber band work great too...

+1 on the foil tape. Just 4" is little overkill for me. I just tear a small piece of a tape and try to fold it nicely at the tip. All you need is just an airtight seal. Works great so far on everything I've tried.

Conesus1 · 11-02-2020, 04:48 PM

I've used screws for 40+ years to seal caulks once opened and have had it last a year or more. Once caulks are over a year to 2 old beyond the manufacture date, throw it away. Dicor specially, most places have a year old or more dicor there selling, a year is all dicor allows according to Dicor!

Tomahawk · 11-02-2020, 08:50 PM

Thanks. I have lots of wire nuts, the aluminum foil tape, and the nitrile gloves. I will try all three over the next few weeks.

Gigattime · 11-02-2020, 09:07 PM

Short term, duct tape also works.

VanDiemen23 · 11-02-2020, 09:39 PM

Dicor lap sealant? Does it ever really cure? I live where the daytime temps are over 100 from late May to late September and the one sealant that has never dried in the tube is Dicor Lap Sealant.

However, another easy trick is once you have picked your favorite plugging method, put the tube in the fridge. For longer times, the freezer. Low temps slow down all chemical reactions.

I've done this with some Dow Flourosilicones that are extremely expensive and I only use a half-oz or so at a time - and it has worked for years.