How to save caulking when you don't use a whole tube.

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

If you are like me you use a lot of caulking. I got really tired of only using a part of a tube of caulking then have it harden before I used it all. I used to just put a nail in the end which never worked. I don't know why but I had been doing some electrical work and had some of the wire nuts for joining three wires and I tried screwing it on the end of the tube. It seems to work real well as even months after putting the cap on I can just take it off and the caulking would still be usable. You might want to try this I hope it works for you too. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gefozarks@centurytel.net), March 23, 2002

Answers

Lag screws also work well. I never had luck with a nal plug either

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), March 23, 2002.

Depends upon the hole size when you cut off the spout (plastic tube). You need to find a plug sized such that it will stop all air from entering. I generally use a 16 or 20 penny smooth nail pushed all the way in and have not had problems even after months of storage.

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), March 23, 2002.

You can get caps at the hardware store specially made for caulk tubes. They work better than anything I've ever used before, keeps the air out, that's the key. Stoney

-- stoney in pa (rwrong@yahoo.com), March 23, 2002.

I also have always used a 16 penny nail, and have left the tubes like that for months, and have never had a problem with them drying up!

-- Joe (threearrs@hotmail.com), March 23, 2002.

the most important thing is before you plug or cap it, make sure you squeeze all the air out of the tube.

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), March 23, 2002.


I've always used a lag bolt sized to fit the hole. Works great

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), March 23, 2002.

Air is the enemy. After you cap it with something, wrap it tightly with some kind of clingy food wrap and secure that with a rubber band. Works great.

But caulk definitely has a shelf life even unopened. I bought a dozen tubes on sale once, not needing it at the time, and after about a year and a half all the tubes were hard as rocks. Totally unuseable.

-- Hank in Oklahoma (hbaker@ipa.net), March 24, 2002.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ