How do you make a tube of sikaflex last?

Tim M · 09 April 2007, 20:31

Every time I need a bit of sikaflex I normally have to buy a new tube as the old one has dried up. I've tried a variety of ways to keep it from going off but it never works. The only way that gives you a second use seems to be to drill a hole in the side of the tube at the other end then bash it with a hammer to squeeze a bit more out then apply with your finger. This isn't an ideal solution!

So how do other people do it?

smithy · 09 April 2007, 20:44

If you put aquaflex into the freezer it seems to last longer maybe that might work with stikaflex, not tried it so just guessing.

smithy · 09 April 2007, 20:45

Sorry that should have read aquasure!

Nos4r2 · 09 April 2007, 21:01

I seem to be able to get it to last a couple of months by winding a bolt into the end of the plastic nozzle while some's still coming out.
It still hardens in the nozzle but it's usually still usable at the screw thread on the tube.

It's fairly easy to get out of the nozzle to re-use it. (wind a self-tapper in as far as possible and pull the plug out).

Probably easier to buy the screw-cap toothpaste type tubes for small amounts though.

Tim M · 09 April 2007, 21:35

Arh yes a bolt. My father always puts a screw in the nozzle of silicone and decorators filler and that seems to work quite well. I've tried it with sikaflex and didn't have much sucess. Ended up drilling the dried out bit out through the hole in the tube. Maybe a bigger bolt helps to seal the end. I'll try and that put it in the freezer and see what happens.

jwalker · 10 April 2007, 00:20

I've had no luck getting real Sikaflex to last but there are plenty of other polyurethane sealers equally good and some of them last well with a selftapper screwed into the nozzle. The last type I used was called Tigerseal and it was good stuff. My motor factors have it.

davetpk · 10 April 2007, 11:56

you can get spare nozzles to screw on from Screwfix (item 18804) @ 70p but not sure if they would fit the Sikaflex tubes you are using ? Might be worth adding to the next order to see.

Dave

Downhilldai · 10 April 2007, 12:12

Unscrew the nozzle, put some polythene over the end of the tube where the nozzle screws on and screw the nozzle over the polythene to seal off the end of the cartridge. Use a new nozzle if you can't clean the old one. Won't last forever, but should keep it gooey for a bit longer.

Dirk Diggler · 10 April 2007, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Unscrew the nozzle, put some polythene over the end of the tube where the nozzle screws on and screw the nozzle over the polythene to seal off the end of the cartridge.

That's what i do, but i clean the old nozzle prior to using it again by putting the air line on the pointy end and firing the dried up sealant out.

Downhilldai · 10 April 2007, 19:46

Call me frugal, but I ensure that I use every last bit of the stuff, by scooping the nozzle clean with a small screwdriver before finishing the job.

Haven't tried the airline approach - would probably end up sikaflexing the ceiling, or my eyeball

al40 · 10 April 2007, 20:26

unscrew the nozzle and wrap insulating (PVC) tape wround the thread (covering the hole) until you get a good seal. There is sometimes a little that sets but I've had a tube like this since Oct last year and it's still OK.

MikeCC · 11 April 2007, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by al40

unscrew the nozzle and wrap insulating (PVC) tape wround the thread (covering the hole) until you get a good seal. There is sometimes a little that sets but I've had a tube like this since Oct last year and it's still OK.

I'm impressed - I've tried similar tricks but never succeeded without the hole in the other end approach. I think I recall reading some tech guff that once it's exposed to air it has a reaction - ie it's curing rather than just drying out.

I'm sure they didn't formulate it like that to keep you buying new tubes of the stuff . . .