How do you keep Permatex Gasket sealer useable??

[Justind97]

I have fought with these ****** tubes for many years with no real success in getting to the end of the tube before it dries out at the tip and is NFG.

Anyone have a secret to keeping it sealed up properly and making it last?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[BillK]

If you use one of the nozzles on it and just let it sit when you are done it seems to help. When you go to use it again just take the nozzle off and push the partially cured slug out of it.

Personally it is one of the things I really wish they would make in a smaller size. Same with spray paint. The amount wasted is probably a mind boggling number.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Wire nut on the tip. I've seen people stuff the tube into the finger of a surgical glove, stretch it over and tie a knot in the cuff end. IDK if that works.

Tommy

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I had been thinking that using a Seal-a-meal gadget might work. Anyone try that?

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I had been thinking that using a Seal-a-meal gadget might work. Anyone try that?

IDK if exposing the goop to a vacuum is a good idea. I think food sealers pull down to around 20"-25" Hg.


Tommy

 

[3rdgendslmech]

take some general purpose grease and coat the threads of the caps. works for me

 

[Busted Knucles]

As you are reinstalling the cap, squeeze extra permatex into the cap as you reinstall the cap. What that does is keeps the air out of the end of the tube so it wont cure at the end of the tube. Do the with caulk gun tubes.

 

[pcmeiners]

Keep a paraffin candle handy, cover cap with melted paraffin, works on Silicone sealant tubes also.

 

[Danno1]

As you are reinstalling the cap, squeeze extra permatex into the cap as you reinstall the cap. What that does is keeps the air out of the end of the tube so it wont cure at the end of the tube. Do the with caulk gun tubes.

This works for me on many adhesives.



.

 

[zmotorsports]

For small tubes I just reinstall the cap for the caulking gun style I use a wire nut.

 

[KenC]

little piece of plastic wrap over the tube threads then carefully screw the cap on so that the plastic doesn't get cut. Like the other ideas, keep air away.

and, I keep a lot of similar stuff in the garage fridge. All chemical reactions slow down when cold. Body filler and paint hardeners keep much longer that way.

 

[tboy]

Surprised nobody has mentioned these.

They are kinda expensive at 11$ for 35, but I've been able to re-use them (on the same tube) if carefully removed. I put it on the tip, roll it down the shaft, and then as a precaution shoot a little from the tube into the tip!

 

[Justind97]

Surprised nobody has mentioned these.

They are kinda expensive at 11$ for 35, but I've been able to re-use them (on the same tube) if carefully removed. I put it on the tip, roll it down the shaft, and then as a precaution shoot a little from the tube into the tip!

My dad and I call them caulking condoms. Great for jokes too! “Oh hey, I picked up those condoms you asked for”. and drop a few on the table in front of all your friends.
I had forgotten about them, thanks!

 

[yatg]

Surprised nobody has mentioned these.

They are kinda expensive at 11$ for 35, but I've been able to re-use them (on the same tube) if carefully removed. I put it on the tip, roll it down the shaft, and then as a precaution shoot a little from the tube into the tip!

Talk about inflation. I bought those in 2016 for $6.36. They seem to work.

 

[jpcjguy]

How about these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00URIW2B0/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_inactive_ship_o1_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[timdgsr]

I buy the powerbead can from Permatex. The nozzle area can get clogged up, but its easy to remove and clean out. I have a can thats well over a year old and still works great.

Permatex 85080 Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTV Silicone Gasket Maker, 9.5 oz. PowerBead Can https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HBGI1M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I like the wax idea. I’ve never tried that. The condoms seem like they would delay the problem, but not completely solve it.

 

[redmondjp]

I've used those caulk tube nozzle condoms and they work awesome! I know that Home Depot used to sell them years ago, but they no longer do.

 

[johnnyradiant]

Keep a paraffin candle handy, cover cap with melted paraffin, works on Silicone sealant tubes also.

If you leave the candle burning your shop will have a nice romantic ambience too.

 

[redmondjp]

If you leave the candle burning your shop will have a nice romantic ambience too.

Yes, but a partially-unattended open flame in a shop is just asking for trouble.

 

[Lassen Forge]

If you leave the candle burning your shop will have a nice romantic ambience too.

Yes, but a partially-unattended open flame in a shop is just asking for trouble.

Nothing more romantic than a barbecue, or a bonfire, not to mention the warm scent of smoked tools on a snowy winter's day...

 

[johnnyradiant]

Nothing more romantic than a barbecue, or a bonfire, not to mention the warm scent of smoked tools on a snowy winter's day...

Well if anyone finds a single parafin wax candle in a shop actually romantic then perhaps you want some 'slightly' used pcv pipe for airline in your shop.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

I use a vacuum line cap on my tubes of sealant. But I use enough that I run out before it dries up. For the casual mechanic I would say buy in small quantities and store it in the garage fridge.

 

[brownsmustang]

Not my pic but works pretty well for sealing the tips and for those that use peg boards.

 

[22george]

I've had a tube of Permatex gasket sealer for 40 years. It has not dried up. I've just kept the cap on the tube. It is the thick stuff. If you get it on your fingers it doesn't come off - just like POR15.

 

[Tripn88]

Am I the only weirdo that shoves a nail in the end of the nozzle? Never have one dried out on me.

 

[csp]

IDK if exposing the goop to a vacuum is a good idea. I think food sealers pull down to around 20"-25" Hg.


Tommy

The one we have allows you to interrupt the vacuum pull down at any point and seal it.

I use the plastic/rubber caps that come on the ends of bolts/screws to seal caulking tubes.

 

[losdudes]

Am I the only weirdo that shoves a nail in the end of the nozzle? Never have one dried out on me.

I used the nail or a piece of stainless wire.