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Caulking Question - Expiration Date?
February 01, 2020, 11:48 AM
OKCGeneCaulking Question - Expiration Date?
I have 5 tubes of caulk with expired dates.
There are 5 tubes, 3 Silicone and 2 Latex, according to the dates they are 1.5 to 2 years expired.
They were stored inside my home in a closet at normal temp.
I thought I’d try them out, then thought of the time required to prep first before using, thought better of it and thought I’d ask our resident experts here.
Are they bad or still good?
Throw out or go buy new?
Thank you.
February 01, 2020, 12:24 PM
lizardman_ulay a small test bead on some scrap and see if it works still.
They may work as advertised, or the latex might be too dried out to work.
If the test bead works then use it.
February 01, 2020, 12:45 PM
sigmonkey^^^
Yep.
If it goos, it's good to use.
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא עוד February 01, 2020, 01:00 PM
OKCGene^^^^^ OK Oozey Usey. Thanks
February 01, 2020, 01:43 PM
Skins2881I'd throw it out and buy new. If I am dealing with something that would be a pain in the ass to strip off and recaulk at a later date, I rather pay the $7 a tube to make sure it lasts as long as possible.
They start reacting when exposed to air, but I don't know what kind of reactions are happening when sealed or if the seal is 100%, not worth risking to me. Now if it was something I could easily redo in the future then screw it, I'll try the expired stuff.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis February 01, 2020, 05:27 PM
jimmy123xquote:
Originally posted by lizardman_u:
lay a small test bead on some scrap and see if it works still.
They may work as advertised, or the latex might be too dried out to work.
If the test bead works then use it.
This, you can also tell a lot of times by squeezing the unopened outside of the tube and seeing if the stuff inside is pliable or the plastic is hard as a rock and you can't squeeze/compress it at all.
I agree with Skins though, if it's something that's a pain to strip and redo, just buy new.
February 01, 2020, 05:48 PM
arfmelI’ve had siliconized acrylic caulk (Red Devil brand) that I used after it had expired fail to set up after being applied. I don’t recall the conditions it was stored in, but when I was dispensing it, it seemed to be ok.
I’d advise you to throw it away. I had a mess to clean up.
February 01, 2020, 07:31 PM
oldbill123I think you should too any silicon. My experience is it will never dry
February 01, 2020, 07:31 PM
oldbill123quote:
Originally posted by oldbill123:
I think you should toss any silicon. My experience is it will never dry
February 01, 2020, 10:05 PM
straightshooter01quote:
Originally posted by arfmel:
I’ve had siliconized acrylic caulk (Red Devil brand) that I used after it had expired fail to set up after being applied. I don’t recall the conditions it was stored in, but when I was dispensing it, it seemed to be ok.
I’d advise you to throw it away. I had a mess to clean up.
Yep, had a really old tube (unopened) of 100% silicon that I gave to a friend to use in a pinch. We were at a remote location and he needed a quick fix on a jetski. I don't think it ever completely set and was a gooey mess.
February 01, 2020, 10:09 PM
arcwelderOk.
Speaking as a professional with many years experience with caulk, I'll say this:
Go by the date on the tube.
After that, I judge it like a jewish grandma at the supermarket. Give it a squeeze. The tube will be very firm to outright hard if it is no good.
If what you are sealing is really important, don't use old caulk.
Arc.
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February 01, 2020, 10:39 PM
hrcjonif what/where you are caulking is important forget it. if its not structural, not important, cosmetic, easy to fix etc. etc. go for it. But if you value your time above pennies an hour. just pitch it.
“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”