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how do you stop your tube of PU from drying up?
02GF74 - 11/2/09 at 08:34 AM

any tips on how to do this?

I seal the nozzle with insulation tape but the sealant still ends up solidifying in the nozzle. Usually I cam push it out fo the nozzle later and continue but it is a bit of a pain, not to mention very wasteful.

I suspect that once it has come in contact with air, it start to cure and slowly workss its way back to the tube.

So any tips?


chris_smith - 11/2/09 at 08:42 AM

i usually get a screw almost the length of the nozzle, and tight enough that you need to "screw" it in with fingers the sealant that runs on the threads causes a seal and so stops the rest curing

chris


jabbahutt - 11/2/09 at 08:45 AM

I had this problem, and tried wrapping the nozzle in all sorts but found the best thing was to squeeze out a decent squidge of sikalfex and leave it hanging out of the nozzle to dry.

When next needed I pulled the old dried bung off the end and the rest was good to go.

Hope that helps


tomgregory2000 - 11/2/09 at 09:18 AM

My playing with PU (sika flex) in the marine business, i have found there is no point in trying to keep it, the longest ive ever been able to keep some is a week, and even then i had to cut the tube in half a scrape the inside out.
I now only buy enough to do the job and also get all the jobs i need to do with it lined up and do them all at once.


twybrow - 11/2/09 at 10:04 AM

I have just finished a tube I started more than 5 months ago! I use the screw method mentioned above, except my screw is short and stumpy, and covered in old PU. I simply put it in finger tight when I am am done, and a quik turn with a screwdriver when I next need it, and I'm away!


robinj66 - 11/2/09 at 10:56 AM

I use the "stalk" bit from a rivet pushed into the nozzle. Sometimes need a pair of pliers to pull it out but it seems to work


Peteff - 11/2/09 at 12:31 PM

Like someone else on here I find the only way is to use it all at one go. I have had success storing mastic but PU has never lasted more than a fortnight no matter what black magic I tried.


Hellfire - 11/2/09 at 01:04 PM

Best method I have found, is to wrap cling film around the nozzle and place the whole tube in the freezer. Just remember to defrost it before you use it again by sticking it in the oven for a few minutes.

Phil


DaveFJ - 11/2/09 at 01:05 PM

usually manage to keep a tube going for months....
just put a latex glove over the nozzle a and fill a finger with PU so it covers the end fully....

works every time for me

that being said i needed a little the other day and didnt want to buy a whole tube so dug out an old tube that was over 14 months old..... nozzle end was totally blocked so i drilled a hole in the side of the tube and got fresh stuff out of there

just enought for what i needed


dave r - 11/2/09 at 04:23 PM

fridge and latex gloves works for me, as long as i rembember to put it back without getting caught by the mrs!


jacko - 11/2/09 at 05:25 PM

quote:
Originally posted by DaveFJ
usually manage to keep a tube going for months....
just put a latex glove over the nozzle a and fill a finger with PU so it covers the end fully....

works every time for me

that being said i needed a little the other day and didnt want to buy a whole tube so dug out an old tube that was over 14 months old..... nozzle end was totally blocked so i drilled a hole in the side of the tube and got fresh stuff out of there

just enought for what i needed


That,s the way to do it latex glove lasts for ages
we do it at work this way