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Old 06-14-2022, 09:55 PM   #1
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How do you plug your caulking tube?

Question to all of you that have caulked your mobile homes.

How do you seal your opened caulking tube?

I've tried screws and plastic wrap . . . the caulk cures down the tip (getting wider as it goes) necessitating digging out the cured material. The tip end is getting larger and more ragged each time, the extruded stream is now textured and looks like a fancy cake decoration . . .

If I keep this up the RV will look good on the baker's shelf waiting for Hansel and Gretel to drop by . . . (Aren't those A Frames just like cute Swiss Chalets . . . missing the flowers in the window box . . .

Thanks for replying

Cheers!
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Old 06-14-2022, 10:08 PM   #2
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I do the same - screw and plastic wrap.

For certain marine sealants (3M 4000, 4200), seal the tip in similar fashion and place in a freezer. This greatly prolongs the service life, just thaw well before the next use.
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Old 06-14-2022, 10:11 PM   #3
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There are lots of youtube videos with suggestions. The one I like most is this one. https://www.google.com/search?q=how+...eqtsP3-C2oAs17
However, nothing keeps a caulking tube more than a few months.
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Old 06-14-2022, 10:24 PM   #4
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long nail in the tube end. plastic wrap or plastic glove finger over the nail and around the end, then wrap with packing tape or duct tape.
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Old 06-14-2022, 11:23 PM   #5
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I do the nail/plastic/and tape then I seal in a vacuum sealer and keep in refrigerator.
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Old 06-15-2022, 12:26 AM   #6
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Foil tape

I’ve had good luck with foil tape-3” piece make sure past tip 1/2 to 3/4” wrap around a few times twist tight fold over.
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Old 06-15-2022, 06:16 AM   #7
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Black electrical tape.
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Old 06-15-2022, 06:21 AM   #8
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These work great. Been using them for years.

https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Caulk-C...291999&sr=8-18
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Old 06-15-2022, 06:45 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cboss View Post
Black electrical tape.
This. I insert a screw then wrap a lot of black electrical tape around it. Seems to keep for several months.
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Old 06-15-2022, 08:08 AM   #10
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I guess I've always just expected a one time use of the tubes once I've sealed it will be a while before I use it again and by then they seem to have expired due to age.
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Old 06-15-2022, 09:01 AM   #11
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I’ve tried a few methods to seal caulk tubes but, like doc73, I don’t use them often enough to be worth the effort. So I consider it a one time use. I have the same issue with a can of expanding foam. The applicator tube is not reusable.
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Old 06-15-2022, 09:18 AM   #12
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I have found using red wire nuts the winged ones works good for me mainly though I usually buy just enough for the job save what's left and throw it away after about 3 months. use a permanent marker and date the tube.
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Old 06-15-2022, 10:53 AM   #13
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I have been using these red rubber roll on caps. By far the best I have found to keep caulking tubes usable.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N4B9MZG...37711DMEBT689Z
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Old 06-15-2022, 11:37 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clhjsh View Post
I have been using these red rubber roll on caps. By far the best I have found to keep caulking tubes usable.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N4B9MZG...37711DMEBT689Z
These are what I have used successfully for years. Caulk condoms my wife calls them. They keep most things reusable but some products such as adhesives only have about a year or so shelf life anyway so I usually toss them after one use.
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Old 06-15-2022, 11:40 AM   #15
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dip it in CANDLE WAX!!!
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Old 06-15-2022, 12:25 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by medalguy View Post
These are what I have used successfully for years. Caulk condoms my wife calls them. They keep most things reusable but some products such as adhesives only have about a year or so shelf life anyway so I usually toss them after one use.
I don't even buy and open caulk until I have a list of everywhere it's needed - then if there's any significant amount left in the tube, I'll keep it around but toss after a month or so. Usually the push cap in the tube will leak or blowout when I go to use a previously open tube of caulk, especially if it's sat around a few weeks, and it's not worth the mess of trying to use it.




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Old 06-15-2022, 01:03 PM   #17
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07D5QHJ19?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image
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Old 06-15-2022, 01:51 PM   #18
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Duct tape. Wrap tightly with about 1/2 the width of the tape in contact with the tube, pinch the rest of the tape tightly, then bend the tape to enhance the seal. This holds up for months.

NOTE: The act of the caulking gun pushing the plunger in the back of the caulking cartridge also breaks a factory seal and accelerates deterioration of the contents. You might get lucky, and the plunger/ram in the tube may continue to seal very well, but you might not.
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Old 06-15-2022, 02:00 PM   #19
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Sealing Caulking tubes

I use a big wire nut, the red or yellow ones. Even then, the caulking will go bad in 3 to 6 months of a partially used tube. I probably throw away more than I use.

In this regard, I often buy toothpaste size tubes as opposed to the caulking gun size. Less waste. Just depends on the size of the job.
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Old 06-15-2022, 02:38 PM   #20
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Get a wax toilet gasket and push the open caulk end down into wax gasket. When you need to use again just pump the wax out. Save caulk for years.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Oatey-Johni-Ring-Wax-3-in-Toilet-Gasket-for-Universal/5005332087
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