OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: reg on January 02, 2012, 08:42:41 am

Title: silicon
Post by: reg on January 02, 2012, 08:42:41 am

have any of you blokes got any tips on storing tubes of silicon, tried storing them in the
fridge and they still go off  >:(, nothing shits me more than going for the silicon only to find
its buggered.

Title: Re: silicon
Post by: oldfart on January 02, 2012, 09:09:10 am

Reg , they have a limited shelf life of 12 months ....expirey date is normaly at top or bottom of tube.
Tip -  when finished applying,  put a screw in the tip so it creates a seal ... air is your enemy here.

Title: Re: silicon
Post by: PEZBerq on January 02, 2012, 10:58:32 am

Shits me too! I use a nail to try to keep the air out and use drill to drill out the inevitable solid plug when I go to use it next. Also learned the hard way to buy small tubes of sealant only ::) I did find some long plastic plugs that you push down the nozzle to seal it better - at bunnings I think. Seem to help.

Title: Re: silicon
Post by: mainline on January 02, 2012, 11:42:04 pm

from what I've seen on the net, by the pool seems to be the best option

Title: Re: silicon
Post by: vandy010 on January 03, 2012, 01:08:50 am

take up smoking!
and then you'll realize how cheap silicon is :)
buy another tube and don't complain.

Title: Re: silicon
Post by: firko on January 03, 2012, 10:36:42 am

Quote

take up smoking!
and then you'll realize how cheap silicon is
buy another tube and don't complain.

That's funny Vandy....and true. I gave up smoking years ago and had no idea how much they cost until I recently bought a pack at the gas station for my 'hangin' for smoke' next door neighbour. What a stupid way to piss money and your lungs away. ::)

As far as silicone sealant goes, I buy the cheap shit at Sams Warehouse, the Reject Shop or any other bargain basement for $1-$2 a tube, then when it hardens up you don't feel so bad. Keeping it in the 'fridge doesn't seem to make any difference. I recently pulled apart a basket case Maico 400 engine that must have been owned by a major shareholder in the company that makes that blue silicone stuff. every mated surface had three times the needed amount including the base gasket. and cases. The crankcase was full of the crap to the point that I wouldn't trust the big end even though it seems OK.

Title: Re: silicon
Post by: Slakewell on January 03, 2012, 11:02:16 am

Silicon is the devil and should never go near a motorcycle

Title: Re: silicon
Post by: Lozza on January 03, 2012, 11:31:45 am

I used a Wurth silicone in place of a head gasket, packet said it was good to go in 15mins which it was, lasted a full weekends racing including a 1 hour race. Brilliant stuff.

Title: Re: silicon
Post by: firko on January 03, 2012, 12:22:14 pm

Quote

Silicon is the devil and should never go near a motorcycle

I'm not so anal as to cast it completely out of the shed but I'm a strong advocate for using it sparingly.

Title: Re: silicon
Post by: Slakewell on January 03, 2012, 02:39:10 pm

Silicon must have killed more XL Honda's than Bogan's