How to store Acryl-R & Pump

[rbs]

I thought I had read where a person can use Acryl-R with the pump and simply plug the outlet and store with the pump attached, but cannot find where I had read it. Can someone tell me how they store the unused Acryl-R?
Thanks,
Rod

[Gene]

Good question. I have the can and the pump, but haven't used it yet. I believe Acryl-R has a shelf life of 18 months, though I suspect it is good after that for quite a while.

Gene

[Frank's Trailer Works]

I just put mine on the shelf. I don't even put the tip in. I however go through a can every other month.

[overlander63]

I have saved cans of Acryl-R and dispenser units by putting the supplied plug in the tip, and using a finger from a rubber glove put over the tip. A rubber band around the finger will keep it there. Leave the dispenser in the can as well.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I took the pump off, pumped mineral spirits thru, put pin in nozzle, cleaned cap, resealed, and put it back on the shelf. Hope it werks 'cuz theres more to do this Spring.

Bob

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I took the pump off, pumped mineral spirits thru, put pin in nozzle, cleaned cap, resealed, and put it back on the shelf. Hope it werks 'cuz theres more to do this Spring.

Bob

Bob, please let us know if it works. Both Frank and I use the Acryl-R enough that would be more trouble than it's worth. I can use some, store it for 3-4 weeks, then go through 2 or more cans in a week.

[Davern1]

I store it on the shelf without the pin in it. I just prick the nozzle with a small nail and am good to go. I've been using the same can for over a year. No problems.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

... if it get a bit too viscus, add a few drops of xylene.

[Gene]

Would the pros tell us how to apply it from the pump since some of us haven't used the pump yet? Does it come out in a bead and how do you hold the can?

Gene

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Gene you are just going to have to learn. I suggest starting as far from eye level as possible and by the time you get to eye level, you will be a pro. If you mess up, you can just melt it away with some solvent and go again. Have fun.

[overlander63]

What Frank said.
Seriously, it's an acquired talent, you just have to keep practicing. I can't run a decent bead of caulk to save my life, but I can do pretty good with the Acryl-R.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Let's hear it folks......It's the Frank & Terry Shoe.

Bob

[Gene]

I thought Frank and Terry would have some professional tricks to share. I am pretty bad with beads too, so at least I'm as good as Terry.

Gene

[KJRitchie]

I'm attempting to use Acryl with the dispenser. New can's expiry date is 6/16. It seems kinda thick and when I tried to use it doesn't flow well. I made a mess of my first seam.

Can I add Xylene to it? How fluid should it be to match fresh Acryl? Do you mix the Xylene with a stick?

Should I just pump out the Acryl out of the dispenser until it doesn't pump then put it back in the can or should I thoroughly clean it with Xylene before using it again.

Do you normally apply Acryl with the dispenser upstream so it lays behind the dispenser nozzle?

Thanks

Kelvin

[KJRitchie]

I purchased a quart of Xylene and was able to remove excess Acryl smears around my panel seam easily. Taped the seam this time. Added some Xylene to the can of Acryl and stirred with a screw driver but wasn't sure how fluid it should be compared to a new can. Pumped the old out the plunger. Pumped the thinned Acryl through and attempted to reseal. The seam is on the side of the trailer so I"m pumping against gravity.

Still not flowing that well but the tape works. I try to work fast and spread the bead with a gloved finger and then pull the tape. My Acryl sets fast so I guess its just not fresh enough but I got the seam sealed and it looks pretty good.

Kelvin

[Wingeezer]

Interesting subject!

To my amazement I am still using a can of Acryl R I bought maybe six years ago and it still works fine!

Some how I lost the little nozzle pin years ago so made a new one from a length of stainless wire - except that I made it quite long so it goes way down inside the nozzle.

I'm not the best at applying the stuff, especially compared to the guys I watched on the JC factory tour!

For that reason, I usually use painters tape each side of the seam, and if the bead doesn't look even, smooth it with a finger wetted in thinners before quickly removing the tape afterwards and that seems to work ok.

But I'm never sure it it is best to drag or push the nozzle along the seam - is there a preferred method?

Any other application advice?

[KJRitchie]

I didn't think of wetting my gloved finger before pulling the tape. Great idea. I ran a bead for about 6 inches then spread with my finger, repeating until the seam was finished, probably about 3ft or so then pulled the tape.

Is it better to work with this stuff in the shade. The sun on the aluminum can heat up fast. After I cleaned the seam the sun moved around hit the seam area.

When trying to use my dispenser I'd get a bead going then it would stop and a slight increase in pressure on trigger then a large blob. There shouldn't have been air in the dispenser after priming it in a bunch of paper towels.

Also, I need to find better shop rags to use, when cleaning up old Acryl with Xylene. The nap of the typical red auto rags gets pulled and paper towel don't work well either.

Kelvin

[pteck]

Is Acryl-R along with its dispenser still the preferred seam sealer for fine beads at the windows/doors/etc?

[CRH]

I prefer aluminum color Parbond in a tube. I put on a fine bead, then take a cloth wet with mineral spirits and push the product into the crack and wipe off the excess. I can get pretty good looking results.