Recommendations for a Good Liquid Tape?

[tehachapifan]

I've tried two now that I got at a big box....both dried up in their bottles/cans within a unacceptably short period of time. Does anybody use one that works good and lasts? Plus, the ones I got were WAY bigger than I needed (especially since 95%+ of the product was lost). I only need it for DCC installs.

[Lemosteam]

Is this what you purchased?

https://www.gardnerbender.com/en/p/LTB-400/Liquid-Electrical-Tape-Werpro-Seal

The seal can be improved with a large silicone washer..

[Steveruger45]

That’s the one I have and it has now started to clump up after three years, albeit still useable.
 I keep mine in a fridge though.
Am wondering what the solvent in it is to try and refresh it, if that was at all possible.I see it has Xylene and MEK in it.

[C855B]

I think the problem isn't the seal, but the plastic bottle. The solvent(s) tend to evaporate via osmosis through the plastic. I have the same problem with Tru-Color paints with their plastic bottles.

While I'm not necessarily a fan of liquid tape for insulation purposes, I have several cans of it laying about from my 2-way communications days, when I used it as weather seal. With the metal can, it was still as goopy as ever last time I opened it for something. Star-Brite brand, IIRC, only 'cuz that's what the comm supply houses stocked.

If I was to choose a brand today, it would be Permatex. I have 50 years of firsthand experience with Permatex products in car repair work, and have never been surprised. (It's also in a metal can.)

[GhengisKong]

I've had luck using a toulene/xylene mix keeping my stuff fresh. Just splash a couple mL in and it's to go again.

[Lemosteam]

I think the problem isn't the seal, but the plastic bottle. The solvent(s) tend to evaporate via osmosis through the plastic. I have the same problem with Tru-Color paints with their plastic bottles.

While I'm not necessarily a fan of liquid tape for insulation purposes, I have several cans of it laying about from my 2-way communications days, when I used it as weather seal. With the metal can, it was still as goopy as ever last time I opened it for something. Star-Brite brand, IIRC, only 'cuz that's what the comm supply houses stocked.

If I was to choose a brand today, it would be Permatex. I have 50 years of firsthand experience with Permatex products in car repair work, and have never been surprised. (It's also in a metal can.)

I had the same issue with the old steel can.

[peteski]

While I'm not necessarily a fan of liquid tape for insulation purposes, I have several cans of it laying about from my 2-way communications days, when I used it as weather seal. With the metal can, it was still as goopy as ever last time I opened it for something. Star-Brite brand, IIRC, only 'cuz that's what the comm supply houses stocked.

That is exactly the stuff I have. At least 10 years old, and still usable.  To me the secret is to clean the lip on the neck of the can, and clean the seal in the cap around where it contacts the lip before putting the cap back on.  That results in like-new sealing of the cap.  I do the same for all my paint bottles.  I don't mind spending an extra minute to get that perfect seal.

I'm also not a fan of this stuff, and only use it as a last resort solution (which very seldom happens), so the can is still pretty much full.

[tehachapifan]

Thanks for the replies!

As far as cleaning the cap and threads before reapplying the lid, I typically don't normally foul-up either, as I tend to just raise the lid/brush enough so I can get a little product off the brush post and onto a toothpick. With one of the jars/cans, the cap never seemed to want to thread back on correctly. Never felt like either lid really sealed the container very well.

Is this what you purchased?

https://www.gardnerbender.com/en/p/LTB-400/Liquid-Electrical-Tape-Werpro-Seal

The seal can be improved with a large silicone washer..

Yes, that is one of them. Thanks for the tip on the washer!

[peteski]

Thanks for the replies!

As far as cleaning the cap and threads before reapplying the lid, I typically don't normally foul-up either, as I tend to just raise the lid/brush enough so I can get a little product off the brush post and onto a toothpick. With one of the jars/cans, the cap never seemed to want to thread back on correctly. Never felt like either lid really sealed the container very well.

Hmm . . . the stuff I have requires stirring before use.