Sikaflex 252

[lrrowe]

I tried to use my new tube of Sikaflex 252 to go along with screws for my awning rails ( with many thanks to Padilen for sharing some extra rails). But I could not get the ahesive to squeeze out of the tube. It was much thicker then very thick cookie dough. It just would not come out. Is this normal?

Its expiration date is January 2017, but I have had it for about a year. The spec sheet for it says it has a shelf life of just 9 months. It has been in my garage all the time and the temperature never got below 40 degrees F (I do not believe).

I was expecting it to come out of the tube like a silicone sealer.

[OP827]

You mentioned minimum temperature, but maybe it was too warm when stored? Recommended storage temperature is below 25°C with shelf life 12 months.

[lrrowe]

You mentioned minimum temperature, but maybe it was too warm when stored? Recommended storage temperature is below 25°C with shelf life 12 months.

Actually the spec sheet says 35C which is 95F.
http://usa.sika.com/dms/getdocument.get ... 252-us.pdf

It is possible that it hit that temp, but not very likely bc it was inside my garage and I cannot really remember hitting the high 90's for any length of time this year. And now I think I got the cartridges last March, only 6 months ago.

Edit: I just watch a video and saw an installer use the Sikaflex just like a silicone tube. So my tubes must be expired before the date on the cartridge. I will order more tonight.

Now another question: how do you users seal the cartridge after partial use?

[OP827]

You mentioned minimum temperature, but maybe it was too warm when stored? Recommended storage temperature is below 25°C with shelf life 12 months.

Actually the spec sheet says 35C which is 95F.
http://usa.sika.com/dms/getdocument.get ... 252-us.pdf

It is possible that it hit that temp, but not very likely bc it was inside my garage and I cannot really remember hitting the high 90's for any length of time this year. And now I think I got the cartridges last March, only 6 months ago.

Edit: I just watch a video and saw an installer use the Sikaflex just like a silicone tube. So my tubes must be expired before the date on the cartridge. I will order more tonight.

Now another question: how do you users seal the cartridge after partial use?

Hmmm.. it should be applied below 35C, but actually it must be stored below 25C as I have read last row in the table under the PDF link you sent me. 12 month storage was on Australian PDS that I have found, yours states 9 month for cartridges.

I had some success for a few days or a week storage of already open PL Premium glue (which is chemically similar) by using red tuck tape (EDIT: or Scotch tape) to seal the open nozzle. I think it works maybe for upto several days fine. I do not think it is good for long term storage. If the glue in the nozzle dries when left open, I just cut the plastic nozzle about 1/2" or 1" off and it is good from there.

[lrrowe]

I am going to try and warm it up tomorrow as one did in another forum I found when "googling" this issue. It cannot hurt.
And after many searches, I could not find any comments on reusing it. Boy that does make small jobs expensive

[Padilen]

Sometimes when I "poke" a hole in a tubes seal I fail to make it big enough. Some types of glue or sealant this doesn't allow me to get a good "flow" from the tip.
I've never used Sikafex 252 and I'm not a fan of silicone. I like Lexal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MtnDon]

Mine was kind of stiff. Warming helped some. They use a thicker, tougher seal than common caulks. Make sure you open it fully. It does not keep well once opened / used, but it sure sticks well.

[DrCrash]

When I used it came out like cold tar, but does it stick well. I broke 2 caulking guns trying to use it and finally submitted to buying a contractor heavy duty gun .

[lrrowe]

That sounds like what I experienced yesterday. I did not break the gun, but it took all I could squeeze to get 1/4" of it. Are the contractor guns that much more powerful? Now I have two ideas, one posted in another thread suggested cutting the tube open to get just enough for my job and this one. I might investigate the contractor gun first as I can always use it for other jobs and go the destruction route and cut the tube if a stronger gun does not work.

[DrCrash]

The one I bought was about 20 bucks . It has two rails it jacks on instead of the center post that deforms. It really did make a difference

[dales133]

If its cold its realy thick and hard to use

[lrrowe]

Delimma solved for now. I bought a 12:1 ratio contractor's caulk gun (only $15) and put the Sikaflex in the oven at warm temperature for awhile.
The oven softened it up some and the new caulk gun really did the trick. It did not flow easily and got harder to squeeze out and apply to the awning rail as it cooled down.
I had to warm it up again to continue.

I applied the Sikaflex to a board and used a putty knife to apply it to the rail. Even then it was difficult to apply.


This saved me from having to buy a new tube for new. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.