[snic]

...that it will become useless within a few weeks after the tube is opened. Specifically, that it will go on beautifully, resulting in the best caulking job you've ever done, only to reveal after 24 hours that it was all a big joke, and it's not going to set at all.

I mean, seriously, would it kill them to add one or two small sentences to the instructions: "Discard leftover caulk. Caulk may not set if not used within X days after opening."

 

[HotRodx10]

I don't know what you got, but I've used silicone caulking up to a year after opening the tube, and it set up just like normal. I think you either got a bad tube of caulking, or it got contaminated with something. Either that, or you grabbed the tube of butyl rubber by mistake - that stuff stays sticky forever.

 

[bruceb3]

I've heard of silicone hardening if you dont cap it properly, but I've never heard of silicone not setting up just because it's open. I usually rip off a finger from a nitrile glove and stretch it over the nozzle and put a rubber band on it. I've used btubes that have been open for months. Maybe bad silicone?

 

[snic]

The silicone was good because the job I used it on first is fine.

I usually stick a nail into the spout. Which is less airtight than the glove/rubber band method.

It may be hit or miss. And it may depend on temperature, humidity, brand, etc. There are several kinds of 100% silicone caulk, with different compositions.

The really annoying thing is that this has happened to me before, years ago - I just forgot about it and history repeated itself. And there are other reports on the web of the same thing happening. If it hasn't set in a day, it's never going to set.

 

[Dan1973]

I've had it happen before - goes on good, 24 hours later it was still gooey. 2 months later still gooey. It wasn't a bad batch because the first time I used it was fine.


Saving caulk is the bane of my DIY existence. I rarely need to use the whole tube and all the methods I've tried to seal it don't work too reliably, so when I need to use it again it's no good and it's one more trip to the store!

 

[mark sr]

I always stick a nail down the spout/tip and rarely have any issues. It's best not to store it where it will get real hot.

 

[CodeMatters]

"It's best not to store it where it will get real hot."

Or let it freeze.

 

[mark sr]

Freezing temps shouldn't hurt butyl, silicone or any solvent based caulks although they would need to be warmed up before you use them. Definitely don't want latex caulks to freeze!

 

[MTN REMODEL LLC]

"It's best not to store it where it will get real hot."

Or let it freeze.

CODE has it right.

Many years ago...maybe 10 or so, when GE had sold their caulk to someone else, I had a whole bathroom not set up.

I wrote them and they paid me $400 for the work involved in cleaning up the mess. They explained that silicone caulk can not tolerate long exposure to heat, and in the process of buying GE, they had some supply problems.

I think I just got lucky in my timing, as I think I might have had that tube of caulk sitting up on my dashboard for a week or so in August.

I believe the tube does state something about storage temperature, but they sure could make it more evident, as you don't realize it and it is a biotch to clean up.

If I have a stored tube now, I test it first to see if it skims and sets...PIA but preferable to finding out later.

 

[snic]

If I have a stored tube now, I test it first to see if it skims and sets...PIA but preferable to finding out later.

This is the smart thing to do. Hopefully I will remember to do it next time!

 

[Colbyt]

I use the nail for most caulk. I find that a large wirenut is better for silicone. Some brands even provide a version of that.

 

[mark sr]

Pretty much every time I've used a wire nut or the cap provided with some caulks it's set up in the spout, even with silicone. Using a nail is for the most part foolproof. It helps for the nail to be long enough to enter into the tube. You'd want to use a galvanized nail with latex caulk if there is any chance of a rusty film messing up the job.