PVC cement

[Geo-TH,In]

How do you extend the shelf life of PVC
cement? I buy small cans. Only use a
little. Months later the cement is junk.
It seems a shame that I need to glue 3
fitting for $3. The cleaner stays good
the cement open can and it turns to crap
George

 

[w4gy]

Do you tighten cap and store the can upside down? I have a large can I have used out of for 3 years.

 

[Mule Meat]

Oxygen starts the cure process.

Look for a wine preservitive product such as Private Preserve Wine Preserver. It is a canister of nitrogen that you spray into a can/jar to remove the oxygen before you seal it. Works with just about everything from glue to food.

 

[Michael Soldan]

Try storing the can in a zip-lock bag. I have had luck doing it like that.

 

[moresmoke]

I keep it in a cool basement, it seems to help. I would probably keep it in the fridge, but the tire patch cement is about all the wife will tolerate.

 

[DoubleO7]

Store upside down in a mason jar with enough veggie oil to cover the entire glue cap.
Then spray in the nitrogen to displace the air and quick seam the mason jar.
Then put in the freezer, in a ziplock bag maintaining the oil bath covering the glue can cap.

That should do it.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Storing paint and cement cans upside-down will significantly reduce evaporation and extend shelf life.

 

[Oliver 500 Wa]

Yep, I store them upside down and get a few years from a can.

 

[Richard G.]

Plumbing supply store told me to just store then upside down.
Has worked well for me.
Before that, they would go bad in a couple of months.
Richard

 

[John T]

FWIW I agree with the "upside down" theory, has worked for me.

John T

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Thanks, I've always tighten the cap and store it upside down. Still turns to crap. This time I put a little clear primer in the cement. Can't really see how it will hurt too much. I've never been able to use it a second time .
George

 

[Steve@Advance]

I keep it in a ziploc bag in the back of the refrigerator, along with the super glue, the goop glue, and the paint brush/roller I intend to use in the next day or two.

 

[jniolon]

(quoted from post at 08:26:12 05/11/20) How do you extend the shelf life of PVC
cement? I buy small cans. Only use a
little. Months later the cement is junk.
It seems a shame that I need to glue 3
fitting for $3. The cleaner stays good
the cement open can and it turns to crap
George

George, I went to the rigid forum, where all the professionals hang out.. someone asked the same question and the consensus was..
buy the smallest can to do the job and throw away the remains... the cement has a shelf life and starts curing when you open it... when it starts 'gelling' and gets hard to work with... it's pretty much done... buy smaller cans !! maybe even two smalls instead of one larger
john

 

[Geo-TH,In]

John,
What you posted is what I've experienced.
Only wish they sold smaller amounts,
perhaps in a tube. Cost me $3 to glue 3
fitting. Not that I'm cheap I'm darn
cheap and hate to throw things away.
George

 

[Russ from MN]

I seem to get 3-5 years out of it, but it's stored in the house that stays a pretty constant temperature. I think in the fridge would be best. An uninstalled metal shed is the worse place to store gasoline or anything that has a storage problem.

 

[Stephen Newell]

It's easier to just buy extra cans to have one unopened. You could add a little of the solvent, methyl ethyl ketone to the can every time you use it. This would make up for what evaporates every time you open the can.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Menards is 3 miles away.
I may put mine in refrigerator constant temperature makes since.
Here's an example of what changing temperatures

Can do.
George

 

[ztrmowers]

I store all that kind stuff in old fridge. gasket sealer to glues. if in can upside down. but that stuff yea its definitely does not have much shelf life. still have one in there from four five years ago. is any good ,it was when last used,which was last month. its also in a ziplock.