Sikaflex 522 - reusable?

[gdhgdh]

Hi all, I have a 300ml tube of 522 that I'll be using (hopefully later today) to attach a little cable housing to the roof for solar panels. I expect to use only a tiny amount of the tube, and since it's a tenner a pop, what's the best way to keep it 'fresh' for another day?

I'm hoping that the sealant itself acts as its own protection and that next time I'll just need to poke through a crust on top

 

[eurajohn]

Very short term that approach will be OK, for longer you'll need to exclude air.
The best way I've found is to use the palm of a mechanics rubber glove (the thin ones) underneath the application nozzle (unscrew nozzle then stretch the rubber sheet over tube and replace the nozzle), the nozzle will go solid but the remining contents will be useable for some months.

 

[Lenny HB]

I put a couple of layers of aluminum foil over the end of the tube then screw the nozzle back on then it will keep for two or three weeks.

It gradually curers back from where it has been exposed to air. I've used some that's been open a year by punching a hole in the side of the tube.

 

[gdhgdh]

You lot are chuffing great. Big pat on the back!

 

[Gellyneck]

I use a few layers of cling film under the nozzle and as Lenny HB says punch a hole further down the tube if \ when it goes off at the nozzle end.

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[82125]

I used to screw a self tapping screw directly in to the nozzle (slightly larger than the hole you cut in the applicator nozzle so it bites and seals).
When I came to reuse i could unscrew the screw and pull, it pulled all the cured Sikaflex out with it revealing the useable stuff.
Its come out a perfect cylinder (like one of those cheese cutters/triers they use to sample cheese)

 

[cyberyacht]

I had a small amount of Sika 291i left from a year ago and it was still usable when I repaired the sole of an old pair of shoes yesterday. I cover the cylinder with polythene and rescrew the nozzle.

 

[Wabs]

I had a small amount of Sika 291i left from a year ago and it was still usable when I repaired the sole of an old pair of shoes yesterday. I cover the cylinder with polythene and rescrew the nozzle.

Is that cobblers

 

[John Barrett]

I have a supply of spare nozzles. Just unscrew the solidified one and replace - if you are lucky!

 

[Wissel]

Wrap the whole tube in clingfilm.

Once open, air will get into the bottom of the tube as well.

I've kept different tubes for months using this method.

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[Richard n Ann]

I used to tape the end up with insulting tape. Lasts a few weeks. I think the little screw on caps are better though but the threads aren't on some nozzles.

 

[John Barrett]

I used to tape the end up with insulting tape. Lasts a few weeks. I think the little screw on caps are better though but the threads aren't on some nozzles.

Gosh, I didn't find those little nozzles at all offensive!

 

[Richard n Ann]

Gosh, I didn't find those little nozzles at all offensive!

I always call it insulting tape I'm a bit odd you know

 

[Gellyneck]

I'm a bit odd you know

 

[gdhgdh]

Many thanks for the advice and daftness - the solar cable housing is now on the roof and we're due a dry weekend so fingers crossed it stays that way to properly cure.

While I was up the ladder (I'm not yet confident enough to actually walk on the roof) I saw the sealant around the entire heiki rooflight was crumbling, so that will likely use the rest of the tube in any case.

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[RM_Marine]

You can put it in the freezer and it will last yonks after getting the air out the tubeand then leave the nozzle on with a large screw in

Dont for got to get it out ages before you need to use it again to thaw out

 

[eurajohn]

Many thanks for the advice and daftness - the solar cable housing is now on the roof and we're due a dry weekend so fingers crossed it stays that way to properly cure.

While I was up the ladder (I'm not yet confident enough to actually walk on the roof) I saw the sealant around the entire heiki rooflight was crumbling, so that will likely use the rest of the tube in any case.

That particular Sikaflex is not actually suitable for the sealing of roof vents.
Two reasons, a non setting sealant should be used.
A good seal is required as well as ensuring that if the vent needs to be removed it will release without damage to the van, for this ideally a Butyl based one, be it from a tube (such as Sikaflex 771) or on a roll as tape, the tape type are less messy to use.
Sikaflex 552 is an adhesive, whilst it will also seal there are some materials it will not adhere to and some roof vents are made from such materials.
The best way to ensure a watertight seal is to actually remove and reseal the vent rather than applying more product on top of original.