Glue Storage

[Lazurus]

I have seen several posts over time about glues going off in the workshop especially CA and PU glue. I store both of mine in the freezer, whist it seems counter intuitive due to moisture I have not yet had a problem. The PU especially I was skeptical about but it stays as new as long as the usual precautions are taken with a close fitting lid.

 

[Rorschach]

Makes sense, both those glues cure by contact with moisture, fridges and especially freezers have very low humidity so will really slow the curing the those glues.

 

[large red]

Great idea! I'll just run that by the Mrs..........maybe not!

 

[MikeG.]

Don't we have to be a bit cautious with this idea? Some glues will break down at cold temperatures. I've certainly had the contents of a tin of general purpose PVA "split" and be ruined by being stored over winter in a protected outdoor spot.

 

[Lazurus]

Neither the CA or PU actually freezes solid I have had CA in the freezer for over a year and is till good as when first opened.

 

[Beau]

Surly the glue pots are moisture proof so the low humidity of the environment shouldn't play a part? Maybe the keeping it cool helps in another way?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Yeah ............. it prevents the heat getting to it.

 

[MikeG.]

Surly the glue pots are moisture proof so the low humidity of the environment shouldn't play a part? Maybe the keeping it cool helps in another way?

Well, the mechanism is that the low temperature reduces the amount of moisture that the air in the bottle can hold (warm air can hold more moisture than cold air). If the excess moisture can't get out of the sealed bottle, then it will condense on the inside of the bottle and freeze, thus making it unavailable for mixing with the glue.

 

[Beau]

Yes that might work I guess. Pretty sure the PU I have says to store above 5c though but might give it a go as not doing much work these days so going off glue is more of an issue.

 

[Lazurus]

I got fed up with loosing part used glues especially ca which I buy in bulk. part opened bottles seemed to go off very quickly. Since adopting this for sealed and part used pots I have not had to bin a single one. Works for me.