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bibler · Apr 23, 2009, 09:08 AM

I was doing some caulking work on the bathtub edge. I did it the same way I used to. This time round, something funny happened. Parts of it started coming off during a shower. It was a bit sticky and feels like it was melting. The stuff hardens after it dried up.
I had it left there for over 40 hours before I took the shower. The water may be hotter than usual but that is the same water temperature I have used in the past. Does anyone know why?

bibler · Apr 23, 2009, 09:42 AM

Moisrure

creahands · Apr 23, 2009, 10:15 AM

Hi bibler

When installing caulking,was area clean and dry?

Chuck

ballengerb1 · Apr 23, 2009, 10:21 AM

If your caulk was sticky after 40 hours you have bad caulk and it should be removed completely. Use a razor and acetone, then recaulk with a new tube of Daps Kwik Seal

bibler · Apr 23, 2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by creahands

Hi bibler

When installing caulking,was area clean and dry?

Chuck

It may not have been a 100% cleaned up as my wife have applied the transparent caulk on it and I took it out because it did not look good.

ballengerb1 · Apr 23, 2009, 10:28 AM

Even this previous caulk should not cause your next caulk to remain sticky after 40 hours. What brand and type did you apply?

bibler · Apr 23, 2009, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

If your caulk was sticky after 40 hours you have bad caulk and it should be removed completely. Use a razor and acetone, then recaulk with a new tube of Daps Kwik Seal

Just to confirm your answer-- the caulk feels hard when dry. It becomes sticky after I took the shower. Does your answer still apply? I was using Dap Kwik Seal too..

ballengerb1 · Apr 23, 2009, 10:35 AM

If a caulk has hardened and then becomes sticky later, wet or dry, you have bad caulk and it must be removed. If you used Daps Kwik seal and this happened to you I am very much surprised. I have used their stuff for years without a problem, ever.

Bljack · Apr 23, 2009, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

... If you used Daps Kwik seal and this happened to you I am very much surprised. I have used their stuff for years without a problem, ever.

I've been behind people returning stuff at a big box and it looked like they emptied their garage of everything they bought but did not use over the course of many years. Caulk, paint, grout, sealers, cement products, etc all have shelf lifes and storage requirements, be it protect from freezing, excessive heat, etc. Probably just bought a tube that was in someone's garage or truck for much longer than it's usable life.

As a rule of thumb, for those that use specific products day in and day out, if you don't know or understand the date codes, contact that manufacturer and find out the way to read the date code. Custom Building products, for example, uses the first 2 digits of the year it was made, followed by the numeric day of the year, followed by the number of that specific manufacturing plant. For example, something made today would be 0911302 being, 09 for 2009, 113 for the 113th day of the year, followed by the plant code, if it was made in facility #2.

ballengerb1 · Apr 23, 2009, 11:19 AM

Bljack is correct and I watch folks do even worse stuff. I picked up a set of angle stop cocks at HD, both packaged the same. As I stood in line I noticed one box was a bit funky. Upon open the box the stop inside was well used and quite old. I now inspect everything and turn down open box items cause you never know what junk folks have done.

bibler · Apr 23, 2009, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Bljack is correct and I watch folks do even worse stuff. I picked up a set on angle stop cocks at HD, both packaged the same. As I stood in line I noticed one box was a bit funky. Upon open the box the stop inside was well used and quite old. I now inspect everything and turn down open box items cause you never know what junk folks have done.

I hear you. It is sad that people are abusing the system.