Sikaflex 291.

[Tisme]

I'm doing a number of small jobs using Sikaflex 291. I am sealing the nozzle up with tape between jobs, but how long can I expect it to be usable before it goes off in the tube?

I know it's a "how long is a piece of string" type of question /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif but is it days, weeks or months that I have to play with?

 

[Lakesailor]

I've given up on the gun cartridges and now have the smaller tube with a key to roll it up. I've had it since November and it's still perfectly useable.

 

[savageseadog]

Put it in the fridge (freezer possibly although I've not tried that) it will last much longer.

 

[KRG]

Same as lakesailor, threw away quite a few of the large ones part used so now buy the smaller size. Shame because some of the chandleries sell large size for about £7.50 but just can't use it all fast enough.

 

[Tisme]

Not much help telling me now that I've got the wrong size pack! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. I'll have the various jobs all done in the next 4 or 5 weeks so I think I'll be hiding it at the back of the fridge so that SWMBO doesn't see it!

Thanks for the feedback. Cheers!

 

[DavidGrieves]

Hi

Once it is no longer useable from the tube (gone hard in tube), I often make a hloe in the side of the tube and force it out of the side. OK you can't control it, but if you just want a bit to bed down a fitting it's OK.

 

[Brian_Moffat]

How do you think we do it at plus 40 degs?

Stick a bloody screw down the 'ole.

Keep it out of the sun - and I mean look where you put the damned cartridge.

Check the USE BY date - if it is "sticky" when you buy it - get your money back!

Try somewhere else for a newer batch

Sika 290/1/2 (NOT DC - that is different) has a limited shelf life - very limited - for obvious reasons - which is why it's so expensive

If it don't run nicely out of the cartridge -TAKE IT BACK

View from the shipyard - Now you know why you are ALWAYS billed for a full SIKA cartridge - it doesn't always work for us either!!

regards

brian

 

[webcraft]

I also use the smaller tube with the key. Today I congratulated myself on the tube still being useable thanks to sealing nozzle with foil - then the tube exploded out of the bottom when I turned the key.

I am convinced modern science has a competent way of dispensing this stuff but the manufacturers don't want to know as it would reduce sales.

- Nick

 

[old_salt]

When you buy make sure you get 1 or 2 extra nozzles of the kind that are NOT open ended. Just cut the threaded end off one and when you have used what you need ease the cut nozzle over the gun nozzle, with some Sika allowed to fill the blanked nozzle using the sika to make a seal, try to make sure there is no air in the Sika push the end on and release the gun back cam. Stand it on it's end to keep the seal on when you come to use it next time just pull the end off and clean out for the next time, it will keep for about 3 to 5 months once opened depending on use by date. never tried keeping in a frig but may try it on my next tube.
Cheers hope this helps.

 

[guernseyman]

Neat idea Old_Salt.

I see LakeSailor has had one of the small tubes open for some months; that's interesting because I bought my first one a few weeks ago (put by for when I've got the time to re-fit a couple of stanchions) and was disappointed to see that that the wording suggested it was use-once-and-throw-away. Now I'll try keeping it.

 

[bluedragon]

I hadn't thought of that! I've tried making "hoods" from Al foil, but they usually slip off. I'm pretty certain that Sikaflex 291 is moisture curing similar to silicone sealants, and once exposed surface absorbs moisture it will eventually go off covered or not. What I do with Sika and silicone is to extrude out an additional length of sealant at the end of the job then seal the nozzle immediately best I can with only "fresh" product at the tip. The fridge idea should work as all chemical reactions are slowed by reducing temperature...but keep it moisture tight...that's crtitical!

 

[pcatterall]

Use the screw idea (screw in hole) it will be ok for a week.
Get extra nozzles where possible.
If screw idea fails then use a new nozzle. Recover old nozzles by pocking hard and sof stuff out of jammed up nozzle (messy but can be done)

 

[old_salt]

You must try to exclude any air as you say it is moisture curing so all air needs to eliminated.

 

[isha]

Use spare nozzles from screw fix with push on plastic nozzle sealer which comes with the nozzles. Works better than tape but you still get a small sika plug forming.. Price here in N. Scotland day light robbery.
dave

 

[yerffoeg]

Its for this reason that I have given up using sika unless its essential or I can use the whole cartridge in one day. IMHO other sealants such as polysulphide are more economical and easier to use (maybe generally not quite as good as sika and no good for anything underwater).