Simply fill the tube with water and place open caulking tube down into the Sealant Saver tube. Sometimes it’s the simple things that make life work more smoothly. Renovation, cabinet building and woodworking plans and tutorials. 1. Any suggestions? Works every time! The water keeps air from drying out the tip and keeps it wet. Scissors4. We do the nail/screw thing, but sometimes I can’t find one right off the bat, and so this would come in real handy. Doesn’t everyone cut their caulk tube nozzle off at a slant? I use a 3 inch screw right in the end. I will try this next time I caulk – which will be never if it is up to me. I see it but didn’t know it was there. I go through caulk pretty quickly so maybe it doesn’t have time to dry out! Never dries out, no cleanup, can be used over and over again! Even Gorilla Glue and nothing usually gets to that stuff. Simple tips that make work easier are what make my world go ’round! The best I think is Twist on Wire Connectors, inexpensive different colors mean different sizes, used to … 3. 2. Pushing it can result in an uneven bead. If you’re like me, if you took one off and set it down before you started caulking, you’ll never find it again. Thanks for the heads up…always learning something. For larger cracks, make a second pass or keep a second caulk gun on hand, loaded with a tube that has a slightly bigger hole. It comes in small 3oz tubes, similar to silicone caulking. With the bucket trick you can put all your caulk in one place, it'll stay fresh and you can keep the caulk gun in the bucket too. A little extra usually always comes out anyway, even after you release the pressure…so use that. Plastic wrap is so handy I should carry it in my tool belt. Sometimes it dries out much farther back than just the tip, and usually I can’t find anything long enough to dig it out. It’s more expensive, but it’s less frustrating. Use a screwdriver or similar impelement if your gun doesn't have a prong. Your email address will not be published. . Glad to help. 1. RELATED: 10 Problems You Can Solve with Caulk Use fresh caulk for the best results. The tiny hole lets out just enough caulk to fill typical small- to medium-size cracks. This is the best tool I have found to help keep a partial tube of caulk sealed between uses to keep the caulk from drying out. The tape is $15 to $20 per roll,so it only costs 50 to 68 cents and about 1 minute of time to save an expensive tube of caulk. Share it with us. 2. This caulk offers a 100% waterproof seal that is easy to apply and emits low odor. They aren’t the cheapest, but they work. If you need to seal cracks or gaps If you need to seal cracks or gaps around windows, doors, baseboards, molding and trim, this Alex Plus White Acrylic Latex Caulk by DAP is an ideal solution. That’s too funny! Drape this “cut-off finger” over the nozzle of the tube of caulk and then wrap some tape around the base to seal it. So I have to go digging around to find a nail long enough or a tiny screwdriver that will fit in the hole without mucking it up so the caulk doesn’t flow out smoothly. Bwha! This should keep the air out for some time and keep the caulk/adhesive from hardening. When you’re done caulking your project, squeeze a little more caulk out of your gun and don’t wipe it off. Using the caulk itself solves that problem. Caulk is available in hand-held squeezable tubes or rigid plastic cylinders that require a caulk gun to push out the material. One person found this helpful. Two Great tips to keep caulk from drying out. Actually, caulk has become so popular because of its affordability. Nail thing rarely works for me so I share your frustration. The nail trick can be hit or miss, because I’ve used old nails in the past and they rust, which doesn’t make for a clean white line the next time I use caulk . A few times, I’ve tried to force it to come out but instead of pushing the dried caulk out of the nozzle, it squishes out the other end making a huge mess of my gun. This method will keep polyurethane caulk usable for many weeks and silicone caulk usable for many months. I like to use 3M 5200 adhesive/sealant for my small projects. This should keep the air out for some time and keep the caulk/adhesive from hardening. Cheap caulking guns come with a ratchet-style handle that must be twisted loose to release the pressure on the caulk in the tube. Keep the caulk gun moving quickly along the crack as you squeeze the trigger. Other times I have to drive a screw into the opening and pull it … All plans are for private use only. It helps a fair bit. Hmmm…interesting. Now let it dry! I've had some success just pumping the gun a few times and pushing the dried plug out. Older silicone and latex caulks can deteriorate in quality, even inside a sealed tube, and never fully cure. Place cut pinky finger onto open spout. It works really well. I’ve got about 6 bottles of caulk with that problem. It is so dry here in Colorado, that everything dries out. The nail seals it and when you want to use it next, just pull out the nail and you are good to go. That’s “Caulking 101”– basic stuff…  Oh well, this is easier, less messy and cheeper anyway! It easily mounts with screws to any surface. See Step 6 for caulking tips when using a caulk gun for larger projects. I’ll try that on everything now. When re-opening the tube be sure to discard the silicon/caulk that first comes out so the jelly is not present as it could keep it from curing. 3. Place the cut thumb over the pinky finger on spout. Cut a thumb off the same latex glove. You push the tip of your caulk container into the wax and then remove the wax plug next time you use the caulk. Hold the tube at a 45-degree angle to the joint. Two Great tips to keep caulk from drying out. Keep the caulk gun moving quickly along the crack as you squeeze the trigger. Comment Report abuse. 5.0 out of 5 stars Buy a few of these. Wrap rubber bands around both cut fingers to secure them to the spout. A new tube of caulk has a small foil seal to keep it fresh, using a nail will do the same thing. Insert a long nail or screw that’s a tight fit into the hole in the nozzle. I find I have better control with the smaller tubes of caulk that don’t need the gun. I cut a strip of duct tape about 6” lg then I place it alongside of the nozzle and fold it over the end til it meets the other end then I smooth both sides thus sealing air out of the end . Quick Instructable on how to prevent an open caulk/construction adhesive tube from drying out quickly. For larger cracks, make a second pass or keep a second caulk gun on hand, loaded with a tube that has a slightly bigger hole. I see it in your photo. Did you make this project? The Sealant Saver was developed by a cabinet maker to prevent caulking tubes from drying out. To seal an opened tube, squeeze some caulk out of the end of the tube about 1/4″ of an inch, then slide a nail or wire into the tube with an abundance of caulk around the nail to minimize air leak into the tube, then store the tube upright. Squeeze the air out before your wrap the rubber bands. Remove it to see if any caulk is present. That’s a great tip, I’m going to try that. Otherwise, I stuff it in a plastic bag and seal. Set aside the glove for use on future open tubes. Poke the metal prong on the front of the caulking gun into the caulk tube, if your gun has one. Cut the pinky finger off a latex glove. Except I was never able to close it well enough to prevent the remaining content from drying. 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