How to Keep your Caulk from Drying out
It drives me crazy when I pick up my caulk gun that I know has caulk in it, and nothing will come out because, despite the “Miracle Cap” I purchased and put on it, the caulk has dried out in the nozzle! Here’s my trick for How to Keep your Caulk from Drying out.
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. (Like I need any help in that area.) 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.
Does this sound familiar or is it just me?
The plug-caps tend not to work properly with the slanted cut nozzle, in my experience.
Doesn’t everyone cut their caulk tube nozzle off at a slant? That’s “Caulking 101”– basic stuff… Oh well, this is easier, less messy and cheeper anyway!
When you’re done caulking your project, squeeze a little more caulk out of your gun and don’t wipe it off.
A little extra usually always comes out anyway, even after you release the pressure…so use that.
Then smoosh it into a ball-ish shape, completely covering the hole in the nozzle.
Now let it dry! When you’re ready to use your caulk gun again, just pull that ball-ishy ball off the end and you’re ready to go!
Simple tips that make work easier are what make my world go ’round!
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 🙂
I’ve had a lot of success with Dap brand caps (they have a deep well for the tip so angled cuts are fine). They aren’t the cheapest, but they work.
Surprisingly, simple plastic wrap works well, too!
Hmmm…interesting. I will try this next time I caulk – which will be never if it is up to me. I hate caulking. 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.
That’s a great tip, I’m going to try that. I’ve got about 6 bottles of caulk with that problem. Sometimes it dries out much farther back than just the tip, and usually I can’t find anything long enough to dig it out.
I use a 3 inch screw right in the end. Works every time:)
We always just stick a long nail with a large head in the hole. The nail seals it and when you want to use it next, just pull out the nail and you are good to go. Works every time!