Got those RTV Hardened Tube Blues....

[Briano1234]

How many times have you bought a tube of RTV to use it, then cap it and leave it in a drawer for 2 weeks to 2 months before you need it again.. The pain, The heartache, when you uncap it again to find a Plug has formed…. You have to dig it out, puncture it again or poke a hole in the bottom of the tube to use it out the butt of the tube.

Room Temperature Vulcanization (RTV) Has to Air Cure....

Well I decided to try an experiment.




I needed about 2 squirts out of my new tube.
When I got finished I pushed the remaining air out of the tube. (KEY)



Taking a 2X2 Piece of tin foil I placed that square over the tube end and Pushed it around to form a better seal.



Screw the cap on over the foil and tighten it (do not break the cap.


Then fold the rest of the foil over the cap.


I had used this tube about 3 week ago when I decided to try this.
When I took the cap off, the foil was cut into a Circular seal over the tube and the RTV was still Fresh and came out of the tube like it was freshly opened.

Yes I had to "puncture" or dig the new seal out, but not waisting any was a wondrous thing….

[karmannut]

Great info thanks! definitely will try this

[CalAltaDubber]

Cool idea Brian. Thanx

[Briano1234]

Update.

Yesterday after a month of sitting in a drawer, I took the tube out to re-use, and after removing the improvised seal, the tip of the tube was still fresh, no plugging at all.

I also tried this on a caulking gun tube of GE Silicone II 3/4 gone as it too had a cap, but not screw on type. I took off the pressure of the gun, placed the foil cap over the end of the still slightly oozing tube, then placed the over cap on, and sealed the over cap with Aluminum Foil Duct tape. Used it again after 3 weeks and it too was fresh out of the tube.

Seems to work well.

[Briano1234]

Update...

I had to open it again today




Still fresh as a daisy..... I think this is a keeper....

[84Vert]

Great stuff Brian. I have a tube of convertible top repair stuff and it said to keet it in the freezer. it is small so the wife does not notice, a tube of RTV or caulk she would notice:)

[Briano1234]

As side note, I had to use it and forgot to Foil Cap it, so 3 days later I remembered, and I took the cap off and a plug had started to form. I dug it out, then used it, and foil capped it.... So it does work

[Briano1234]

Great stuff Brian. I have a tube of convertible top repair stuff and it said to keet it in the freezer. it is small so the wife does not notice, a tube of RTV or caulk she would notice:)

My wife used to bitch when I wold wrap Paint brushes and place in the freezer over night I hate cleaning brushes and crap for a next day job.