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Sealing silicone sealant tubes
David Jenkins - 6/6/11 at 05:29 PM

I've got a 310ml tube of high-temp silicone sealant to use on my wood-burner flue (and before anyone says anything - it is the right stuff). It's one of those standard tubes that you use in an applicator - cut off the seal, screw on the nozzle and squeeze the trigger.

The trouble is - I'm only going to use it to seal 1 joint, so about one-sixth of the tube, and I'd hate to waste the remainder. There's always a possibility that I might need some more when autumn arrives and the stove's in use again...

So - does anyone have a reasonably sure method of re-sealing the end of the tube so that it won't end up all dry and rubbery when I need it again?

stevegough - 6/6/11 at 05:45 PM

If you let it cure in the nozzle, when you come to use it again, screw in a 2 / 3 inch woodscrew a fair way, clamp the screwhead in the vice, pump up the pressure, and use the pressure to help you pull the cured 'plug out. You could also wrap clingfilm around the tip in the first place.

David Jenkins - 6/6/11 at 05:58 PM

So far I've tried:

* clingfilm on the tip
* aluminium foil on the tip
* a tight-fitting bung in the tip

None have been hugely successful...

iank - 6/6/11 at 06:01 PM

I normally squirt some on a woodscrew and then screw that into the tip.
Works most of the time, but it depends on the sealant, some just seem to go off no matter what.

JoelP - 6/6/11 at 06:02 PM

i just put a large screw into the end, then it doesnt matter if it dries because you can unscrew it to create a passage for it to come out through.

stevegough - 6/6/11 at 06:07 PM

Of course, it does depend partly on the contents, but I have nearly always found with most silicones that pulling the plug technique I described earlier works well, David.

jacko - 6/6/11 at 07:38 PM

WE use rubber gloves and tape
Push the tip into one of the fingers then type it on

Benzine - 6/6/11 at 07:48 PM

I use a sandwich bag over the end, tape the bag round the base of the nozzle and squeeze in about a golf ball size amount of sealant

Chippy - 6/6/11 at 09:40 PM

I have found that removing the tip putting a piece of cling film over the end of the tube and then screwing the tip back on works most of the time. Stuff in the tip will still go off, but can be poked out with a thin screwdriver. HTH Ray

David Jenkins - 7/6/11 at 09:08 AM

I might have a go at one of the suggestions from Benzine and Chippy - with 'plug-removal' as suggested by Steve as backup!

Cheers to all..