How to reseal tube of RV Pro-Flex?

[mrmom]

Anybody got a good way to re-seal a tube of RV Pro-Flex sealer? Just had to throw away another 1/2 tube of sealer that I only opened last fall! At the price of this stuff, it's getting expensive! I've already tried 16d nails, red and blue wire nuts and a screw, nothing seams to seal up the tube to keep it from hardening. Thoughts?

[Jagiven]

I have not used Pro-Flex, but I understand the formula is similar to OSI Quad. I have not found a good way to reseal a tube once opened. It seems good for atleast a few weeks, but months, nope.

If I have to caulk this spring, I might cut a finger off of a disposable glove (good quality glove), slip it on, than use a wire nut. See if that keeps it from going bad.

[RoadrunnerII]

Use a 3 inch construction screw into the tip. Add a finger out of a latex glove and wrap tip with electrical tape seal it up tight
Use other latex glove and tape it over the base. Will last longer but not forever

YMMV
RoadrunnerII

[craigav]

Not particular to Pro-flex, I have never had a tube of anything similar last more than a few weeks after opening, as Jagiven stated. I prefer to use a long drywall screw though when I do attempt to seal one as the nozzle is the first to turn solid and the long screw allows me to clear that area. ~CA

BTW, many similar products (not sure about pro-flex) have an expiration date on the tube and the contents can solidify even when not opened.

[Jagiven]

General caulking, I have good luck with just a wire nut. But OSI Quad, nope

[RogerR]

I take an old rubber glove, cut off a finger and tape it over the nozzle with a screw or nail in it. It will last longer but not forever.

Note that some kinds have short Use By dates even if unopened.

[PaulB12]

I liked pro flex, but for that reason quit using it.
I switched to Lexel caulk, comes in clear and white. I also only use the hand squeeze tube thinking the lexel would harden, not happened to date.
And they have great company response to its customers.
PaulB12

[norty1]

I wrap a couple layers of Saran wrap over the end and then run a large wire nut down over it. It helps but nothing will keep it fresh for over a season. Might as well use it up.

As we used to say when soldering, the bigger the gob the better the job! same for caulk?

[Yooper906]

Use it up if you can. If not just toss it now, or toss it the next time you try and use it.

[rkymntsno]

I even tried those little rubbers that slide over the end and added a screw. Still didn't help. Had to throw it away.

[JFlightRisk]

A friend of mine used to dip the nozzle tip into a can of Plasti-Dip. It was airtight, and he just peeled it off for the next use. I never asked how long a tube stayed usable, but he swore by the idea.

[mrmom]

Thanks for all the responses. Sounds like there is no good way to seal a tube of this stuff for more than a month after opening. Too bad they don't sell it in the smaller squeeze tubes, then I wouldn't feel so bad about throwing it out.

[stinger608]

I've read, on other forums, that the cheap one's that Harbor Freight work pretty good:

https://www.harborfreight.com/caulk-...EaAs7SEALw_wcB

I, personally, have never tried them, but at $1.99 it might be worth a shot.

[Tl12356]

Friend of mine place unused caulk in sparkle pail with about 4” of water, tip down. He said keep oxygen from getting to the open tip.
Only works on plastic cartridges.
I didn’t get a change to try yet.

[bheisser]

see image

[Kathied65]

Maybe a blob of hot glue? Get a bit of it in the tip and a ball of glue on the top? Have used hot glue to seal things at preschool and had decent luck.

[Mipo]

For the last few months I have been trying Plumber's Putty to temporarily seal the caulking tubes.
So far it seems to work & is very cheap to use.

[rollon52]

I do use these from Harbor Freight and they work for me. I try others that I run across on occasion in other stores, too. I prefer Harbor Freights product. I have reused tubes of various products months later, including the expensive pro-flex sealer, and it worked great. I even gave a couple to a plumber working on a major project at my house to save an expensive tube of something he was using at my house. He had never used these before, but does now.

[Cwilliams]

On Amazon there are some caulking tube preservers called "AIRTITE". I have not used them personally but there are some good reviews.

[steve1950]

I have used duct tape to seal tubes. To keep air out.