How to prevent 3M 5200 sealant from drying?

Question

I like to use 3M 5200 adhesive/sealant for my small projects. It comes in small 3oz tubes, similar to silicone caulking. It's still to much for most of my boat projects, so I'm trying keep using the same tube trough the season. Except I was never able to close it well enough to prevent the remaining content from drying.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

it will start to dry as soon as it hits the air so you will always end up with a hardened spot at the end of the tube.

Answer 2

Try a small piece of saran wrap over the spout, then s***w the cap on. It may still solidify at the end, but it should be a very shallow layer that can be dug out quickly.

Answer 3

Using Saran wrap or the like around the end of the tube works on a temporary basis, I've also had luck placing a s***w into the end of the tube, backing it out for the next use.

In the end, the entire tube will eventually set up, even if it has never been opened.  Buy if fresh, use it as needed, if you have not used in about a year, you may just have to toss it.  I have used a lot of it on a boat I rebuilt.

Answer 4

I have 3 or 4 tubes of 5200 laying around -- one in the boat, one in the garage, maybe one in the truck I'm not sure.  

what I do when I can't get the stuff out the hole is, I just puncture the tube and squeeze it out.  The puncture wound heals itself.

It takes a lot longer than one season for the whole tube to cure.