Vulcanising rubber solution disappearing inside closed tube?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Vulcanising rubber solution disappearing inside closed tube?
Does anyone else have a problem with coming back to an opened but resealed tube of vulcanising rubber solution (for patching inner tubes) to find that it looks completely normal but when you try to squeeze solution out of it, it's full of air?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,729
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5793 Post(s)
Liked 2,593 Times
in
1,437 Posts
That's SOP and unavoidable. There's very little solids in the solution and the solvent is very volatile and will escape under the cap. Once you break the seal, the shelf life of a tube of solution is limited.
I've found I can increase the shelf life by storing open tubes cap down. However, that sometimes glues the caps on so well that the tube comes apart before the cap comes off.
I've found I can increase the shelf life by storing open tubes cap down. However, that sometimes glues the caps on so well that the tube comes apart before the cap comes off.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#3
Senior Member
Yes, it can evaporate even if the seal was never broken. I try to replace my patch kits yearly or at least every 2 years, and have spares around for the occasional empty tube. If it's a kit you just bought at the LBS, you may be able to return it.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Zang's Spur, CO
Posts: 9,083
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3376 Post(s)
Liked 5,526 Times
in
2,864 Posts
I've had an 8oz *can* of it seemingly mostly vanish while sitting on the shelf.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,729
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5793 Post(s)
Liked 2,593 Times
in
1,437 Posts
The OP has an opened tube, returning it isn't an option. However, I agree that if one has a virgin tube that is dried out, then returning is an option if it were bought fairly recently.
Dried solvent, both in virgin and opened tubes is a simple shelf life issue, and not related to defects unless it was sold after the shelf life had run out.
Dried solvent, both in virgin and opened tubes is a simple shelf life issue, and not related to defects unless it was sold after the shelf life had run out.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Northern California
Posts: 145
Bikes: RitcheyAscent, FisherMontare
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Buy a can of vulcanizing cement. Then pour it into some nail polish bottles. It won't dry up and the nail polish brush is a fine applicator. Since you'll probably have to buy 8 oz. of glue, maybe split the purchase w/friends? One nail polish bottleful will last for dozens of flats.
It sure would be nice if the glue were sold like this..
It sure would be nice if the glue were sold like this..
Last edited by melloveloyellow; 03-27-16 at 10:56 AM.
#7
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,452
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3152 Post(s)
Liked 1,717 Times
in
1,036 Posts
I just use self adhesive patches anymore (in my on-bike kit) for that reason, because yeah, the tubes of vulcanizer dry out in very short order after opening; they're basically single-use, unless you flat every week.
In addition to being good when you need them, the self-adhesive patches are just easier to use.
In addition to being good when you need them, the self-adhesive patches are just easier to use.
#8
apocryphal sobriquet
Semi-related thing I discovered just last night, I've found it's not the best idea to keep a presta-schrader valve adapter in the patch kit as it can rattle around and cause the tube of cement to rupture. If you do keep an adapter in the kit you should periodically check to make sure the tube of cement is still good.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eastern Iowa
Posts: 631
Bikes: 2014 Trek Allant drop bar conversion, modified Schwinn MTN commuter, 2015 Trek 520, Soma ES, Salsa Journeyman, 1980 Trek 414
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 178 Post(s)
Liked 355 Times
in
166 Posts
If these are repairs done at home, simply buy a can of rubber cement....it will last you forever. For road repairs, the little tubes will need to be repurchased every couple of years at least.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Northern California
Posts: 145
Bikes: RitcheyAscent, FisherMontare
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Or just run tubeless and eliminate those issues.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
If you buy the 8 oz can of Rema fluid, it can last 4-5 years. Then you need to buy either a new can (about $20), or a bottle of solvent (trichlor? about $25).