How to Preserve a Caulk Gun

You can save money by knowing how to preserve your caulk gun in between uses. The caulk inside it and the caulk gun itself can be kept fresh and pliable for future use.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Keep the plunger of the caulk gun clean. Occasionally, you'll have seepage from the back side of the caulking tube. This seepage will clog and freeze up the plunger. It won't operate properly if clogged.

2. Take care of the ratchet mechanism on the caulk gun. Keep a slight coat of oil on the ratchet teeth at all times. Any type of oil will do. This will also help if a caulk tube bursts inside your gun. Oil won't allow the caulk to adhere to your ratchet teeth.

3. Preserve the caulk inside the caulk gun tube. After cutting the tip of a tube, push a nail into the end to release the caulk so that it comes out. It normally has a piece of thin foil over it that keeps it fresh and keeps air out. After use, push a nail back into the tip. Then air won't dry out the caulk.

4. Insert a screw into the end of the caulk gun tube. This also stops air from penetrating your caulk and drying it out. Another way to preserve a caulk gun is to whittle a small piece of wood and push it into the tip.