How many cans of PVC cement...

[MushCreek]

... do you figure you've thrown out over the years? Every time I have a job to do, the old can is solidified, and I buy yet another can, knowing full well it won't survive to the next project. I don't think I've ever actually finished a can, even when I was building our house. Why don't they make a small 'project size' container? Maybe a squeeze tube? Meanwhile, I have numerous cans of purple primer that are just fine.

 

[larry4406]

I feel your pain. Accordingly, I tend to buy the smaller cans at higher unit cost.

I have gotten into the habit of making sure the threads and the cap are clean, and use a pair of channel locks to tighten the glue lid when done.

My success has improved, but not perfect.

Agreed that the purple primer just happily sits there without issue.

 

[mike93lx]

Agreed that the purple primer just happily sits there without issue.

Until you look at it, at which point it spills everywhere and it looks like you had a good time with Barney

 

[jkuro]

Turn the can upside down when you store it. It will last a little longer.

 

[Skooterj]

I don't do a lot of PVC work. So pretty much anytime I do, I just buy a new can. Like once every 2 years or so when a family member needs something fixed.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Yep, never fails.
I did have a product yesterday that seemed doomed when I opened it. It was a tin of Clover valve lapping compound I last used in the mid 80’s, so 40 years ago. It was of course dried and stiff. I shot a bit of WD40 in it and stirred it around with a nail until the consistency was right to use. One more small engine valve lap job done! If only PVC cement would do that.

 

[CV428]

I was just thinking this same thing the other day... There's always more primer left than cement, and the cement goes bad before you can use the rest. It's like hot dogs and packages of buns.

I wonder if it would last longer if held under vacuum...

 

[niget2002]

1 can per project.

 

[Notgrownup]

Only honey is good forever. It see anyway.

 

[whateg01]

I started buying quarts of ultra pasteurized milk awhile back. I never go through a whole gallon before it goes bad. It costs me more per unit, but I only have to buy it every couple months so I spend less overall.

I suppose with the cement, it probably costs as much for packaging to sell a small portion as it does a big portion, so the cost would be similar for both can sizes. frugal people would just buy the bigger one anyway.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Adhesives, sealants, primers, paints, (…) it all goes bad eventually. And even if it seems still “usable” is it worth doing something twice if it turns out that it wasn’t?

It’s the way it is.

I will keep some leftovers for a certain amount of time, but I don’t fret about trashing it when time has come & buying new product for a new project. In fact I just purged my storage, couple of unopened products past the best before date, all packed up ready to be brought to the recycling yard when the “hazardous waste mobile” has it’s scheduled stop.

Here’s the perfect example of why it’s not worth it. And it was, at most only partly my fault - if at all. But that’s an entirely different story. It just goes to show that messing with product that is past due, maybe stored at wrong temperature/ climatic conditions or partly hardened/cured is simply not worth it - at all.




If there is a smaller size, that’s great. If there isn’t, it is what it is. Every project here gets calculated/budgeted and that’s just another figure to add to it.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[MushCreek]

My most recent example was a very small repair/modification to my garden hydrant. A week before Thanksgiving, a Sharkbite fitting had failed, and water was percolating up out of the ground. I dug it up and did a quick repair, because we were on the verge of having 15 people come to our house for the holiday. I should have completed the repair right then and there, but I was in a big hurry. This week, I dug it up (again) and made permanent (Hah!) repairs. I had to glue two 1/2" PVC fittings. That's it. The smallest can was about $8. I do have a small project coming up at my church, so I guess I'll get to use a tiny bit more. I do tighten the cap with Channellocks. Must be something about the air hitting it that makes it go bad. I wonder if you kept a stream of inert welding gas blowing on it when you recapped it if that would help. It almost isn't the money as much as the sheer waste of it. If I could buy a small squeeze tube for $6 I'd feel better about it.

 

[gregs]

Sorta just had this situation. Had a small project to do and picked up the over priced fittings and glue at HD. Went looking for my can of leftover primer and also found a large can of cement from over a year ago when I was doing my PVC panel project. Shook it and it sounded ok, so I thru it in the bag with my other pieces. Got everything cut apart and started to glue new stuff together and opened the old can of primer, **** up! Opened the old can of cement and it was like new. Ended up cleaning the fittings and pipe ends with a little brake cleaner as I wasnt driving back to HD at that time. But I did drive back and return the $8 can of glue and extra fittings that amounted to $14. Still seems crazy how pricey this stuff is anymore. If I have a bigger project I have started ordering stuff online, especially bigger pvc fittings, valves, etc. as the the big box stores are crazy priced...

 

[mike93lx]

Adhesives, sealants, primers, paints, (…) it all goes bad eventually. And even if it seems still “usable” is it worth doing something twice if it turns out that it wasn’t?

It’s the way it is.

I will keep some leftovers for a certain amount of time, but I don’t fret about trashing it when time has come & buying new product for a new project. In fact I just purged my storage, couple of unopened products past the best before date, all packed up ready to be brought to the recycling yard when the “hazardous waste mobile” has it’s scheduled stop.

Here’s the perfect example of why it’s not worth it. And it was, at most only partly my fault - if at all. But that’s an entirely different story. It just goes to show that messing with product that is past due, maybe stored at wrong temperature/ climatic conditions or partly hardened/cured is simply not worth it - at all.




If there is a smaller size, that’s great. If there isn’t, it is what it is. Every project here gets calculated/budgeted and that’s just another figure to add to it.

Kind regards,
Olli

The money side I can accept. I just hate throwing **** into the landfill

 

[CoogarXR]

The last can I had lasted quite a while. I try to not let a bunch of air in during the job too. Like, I'll clean all my joints, then open the glue, glue a couple joints and set the cap back on (not thread it all the way on, but set on there covering the opening). Then move to the next joints, do the same, etc. Then immediately close it tight when I'm finished. I try not to leave the can just sitting there with the lid off.

I watched the guys laying pipe for my barn and they just left the wand dangling in the open can half the afternoon. I'm sure that shortens the life of the batch too, is what I'm saying.

 

[rlitman]

I feel your pain. Accordingly, I tend to buy the smaller cans at higher unit cost.

I have gotten into the habit of making sure the threads and the cap are clean, and use a pair of channel locks to tighten the glue lid when done.

My success has improved, but not perfect.

Agreed that the purple primer just happily sits there without issue.

I'm with you, and I don't bother to buy anything larger than the smallest available can of cement that meets my requirements. But I will add that I purchased the cap tool, and it helps quite a bit. Channellocks tend to mash up the cap's roundness, making it more difficult to seal and remove later on.

 

[M.Brane]

Glue, caulk, sealant etc. I write the date on with a Sharpie so I don't get surprised. The memory ain't what it used to be. I'll put 'em in a Ziplock if they'll fit, and I think it will be a while.

 

[mike93lx]

I'm with you, and I don't bother to buy anything larger than the smallest available can of cement that meets my requirements. But I will add that I purchased the cap tool, and it helps quite a bit. Channellocks tend to mash up the cap's roundness, making it more difficult to seal and remove later on.

I've always used a pair of cobras and not squeezing beyond what it takes to get a grip. No messed up threads, yet

 

[MovingAlong]

I wonder if you kept a stream of inert welding gas blowing on it when you recapped it if that would help.

Woodworkers do that for finishes. 100% food grade argon seems to be the gas of choice. No idea how welding gas (argon) would be different..

Airgone is one brand, Bloxygen is another... Amazon doesn't seem to like shipping aerosols (based on their pricing) but it was a convenient link. There might be a retailer closer to you.

 

[Gozo]

I have gotten into the habit of making sure the threads and the cap are clean, and use a pair of channel locks to tighten the glue lid when done.

I’ve had some small luck with, when opening the can, putting a small wipe of silicone grease on the threads. Makes it easier to open later and gives a better seal to keep the solvent in the can. I’d swear the stuff evaporates through the smallest gap one molecule at a time. Have gotten a few 2nd uses from a can once in a while. At least it opens easier the next time.
Works for my car touch up paint too (fortunately I only use that very infrequently).

 

[PoorUB]

I tend to but new cans of primer and glue each project. Buy the small cans and be prepared to toss them when I am done.

 

[fitter30]

Probably if they package it in a 1 or 2oz tube with a brush cost would be close to a 4 oz can.

 

[bdbecker]

Plumber's putty as well. It's just part of the project cost... still cheaper than calling the plumber.

I don't like being wasteful, but I'm also not going to risk having to do the project a second time because of a leak.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

The money side I can accept. I just hate throwing **** into the landfill

Understood.

None of the afore mentioned products should end up in landfill in first place.

Among all the taxes and fees we are charged locally, I pay for waste disposal. Additionally, with all the products coming to me from B2B suppliers, I’m charged a disposal fee of a few cents per container/product and the total depending on style/material of container. This allows me to use/ dispose empty containers via the “dual recycling system”.

Everything that is not empty gets disposed in accordance with local law and regulations. I even bring it to the recycling yard/ ”hazardous waste mobile pick up station” when applicable.

What happens after I used the correct form of disposal, is a) not something I have even the smallest form of influence over and b) is quite frankly not something I lose any sleep over because of a).

Trying to reduce waste, I’m all for it. But not at the cost of risking a project or day’s work.

And last, in general, landfills are on the back foot/ actively being reduced here.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Gutman]

Can anyone say 3M 5200?

 

[mike93lx]

Understood.

None of the afore mentioned products should end up in landfill in first place.

Among all the taxes and fees we are charged locally, I pay for waste disposal. Additionally, with all the products coming to me from B2B suppliers, I’m charged a disposal fee of a few cents per container/product and the total depending on style/material of container. This allows me to use/ dispose empty containers via the “dual recycling system”.

Everything that is not empty gets disposed in accordance with local law and regulations. I even bring it to the recycling yard/ ”hazardous waste mobile pick up station” when applicable.

What happens after I used the correct form of disposal, is a) not something I have even the smallest form of influence over and b) is quite frankly not something I lose any sleep over because of a).

Trying to reduce waste, I’m all for it. But not at the cost of risking a project or day’s work.

And last, in general, landfills are on the back foot/ actively being reduced here.

Kind regards,
Olli

I hear you. But you live in Germany and recycling is treated just a little differently there.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Like Larry mentioned, I'm a Channellock user too.

 

[gregs]

Can anyone say 3M 5200?

Have you tried putting it in the freezer? I have had luck with 5200 and windshield adhesive lasting if stored in the freezer after opening. Sometimes I have to split the nozzle to remove the hardened end and just tape it back together.

 

[johnre]

To address the original question: Every one of them, except the current one on the shelf. Which is probably solidified.

 

[Skooterj]

I wonder if wrapping the threads with Teflon tape might help?

 

[The Cobbler]

I think the major solvent in the glue is MEK . perhaps once a year open & mix in a tad more

 

[WildBill]

Yep, never fails.
I did have a product yesterday that seemed doomed when I opened it. It was a tin of Clover valve lapping compound I last used in the mid 80’s, so 40 years ago. It was of course dried and stiff. I shot a bit of WD40 in it and stirred it around with a nail until the consistency was right to use. One more small engine valve lap job done! If only PVC cement would do that.

My can looks just like that, I dumped a little 3 in 1 oil in mine recently to thin it out. Now its good for another 20 years.

 

[rlitman]

I think the major solvent in the glue is MEK . perhaps once a year open & mix in a tad more

THF is the actual PVC solvent. The MEK is a thinner.

 

[mike93lx]

I think the major solvent in the glue is MEK . perhaps once a year open & mix in a tad more

You keep MEK around? That stuff is really, really nasty

 

[four.cycle]

^ I solved this problem years ago after a previous episode with a leaking can of that stuff. This is so easy you won't believe it:

1. Buy primer and adhesive at hardware store.
2. Dope up pipes and assemble. Allow to cure.
3. Throw remaining cans of adhesive directly into the trash. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200.

Problem solved!

 

[carlaisle]

My most recent example was a very small repair/modification to my garden hydrant. A week before Thanksgiving, a Sharkbite fitting had failed, and water was percolating up out of the ground. I dug it up and did a quick repair, because we were on the verge of having 15 people come to our house for the holiday. I should have completed the repair right then and there, but I was in a big hurry. This week, I dug it up (again) and made permanent (Hah!) repairs. I had to glue two 1/2" PVC fittings. That's it. The smallest can was about $8. I do have a small project coming up at my church, so I guess I'll get to use a tiny bit more. I do tighten the cap with Channellocks. Must be something about the air hitting it that makes it go bad. I wonder if you kept a stream of inert welding gas blowing on it when you recapped it if that would help. It almost isn't the money as much as the sheer waste of it. If I could buy a small squeeze tube for $6 I'd feel better about it.

All you need to do is call a plumber - zero product waste.

 

[whateg01]

^ I solved this problem years ago after a previous episode with a leaking can of that stuff. This is so easy you won't believe it:

1. Buy primer and adhesive at hardware store.
2. Dope up pipes and assemble. Allow to cure.
3. Throw remaining cans of adhesive directly into the trash. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200.

Problem solved!

I'm not sure Dave Ramsey would approve of that

 

[MushCreek]

Yeah, I'm sure a plumber would have come out for a couple bucks....

As for cold storage- it says on the can not to store it below 40 degrees F.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm not sure Dave Ramsey would approve of that

Spurring the economy, one can of PVC glue at a time. . . . I'm sure that would help out some stock portfolio somewhere.

 

[BurtEggley]

maybe make an artwork out of the old cans and sell it to a locality that is looking for a new art piece to put in the park. There must be millions of cans of it out there waiting to be collected.