Can you re-use adhesive caulk?

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When I use the tube, I insert a 16d nail in to the spout and then wrap some Saran Wrap around it held in place with a rubber band. That depends too on how far back you cut the spout to begin with. Cut too far and the nail goes all of the way in. While you can use the Saran Wrap alone, the caulk in the spout will harden sooner.
 


Another trick, if you are in the good graces of the rest of your family, is to put the tube in the refrigerator. That will slow down the curing process and help keep the contents usable longer. You can do the same with bottles of CA. I currently have a bottle of CA that I got 2 years ago in the fridge, and it's still good.
 
homersimpsonlikestrains said:
How do you save and re-use opened tubes of adhesive caulk made by Loctite or Liquid Nails? Or are they one time use only?
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I usually let the adhesive in the tip harden over and when I need it again I will screw in a #8 x 2" wood screw in there and pull out the plug. Then I will use that gunked up screw as a cap.
 
I cap my partial caulk tubes with an electrical wire nut. It's not a one size fits all deal.
You'll need a larger wire nut if you cut a larger opening in the tube. Typically I use the red wing nut style.
 
I insert a wood screw, wrap with plastic, and wrap the plastic wrap with folded-over rubber bands. Seems to work well enough that I can yank the screw 'plug' out with my fingers or with pliers, and then squeeze our another bead as needed.
 


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