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Expiration date

15 years ago

Where can I find the expiration date on the GE silicone for D & W?? I've looked...and looked. I just now took apart 3 totems because the glue didn't dry. I was having a hard time getting the glue out of the tube and it didn't have the smooth consistency that most of the tubes have had, so I'm thinking maybe it's old.

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Comments (7)

amigirl
15 years ago
It's on the very bottom of the tube in the white part. Mine is right below the word "window" in the blue'

Sue
laurastheme
Original Author
15 years ago
My husband got the magnifying glass out and found it. The last tube I used had a date that was too faint to determine. I glued 3 totems and none of the glue dried. However, part of the glue I used was from a tube that wasn't expired. I'm SO bummed out!! I took them all apart and cleaned them with nail polish remover. Now I'll have to wash them with soap and water and clean them with alcohol. More work than I wanted. It takes all the fun out of it.
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katishooked
15 years ago
Mine was stamped in black on the bottom outside of tube.
User
15 years ago
Keep in mind that the silicone goo that many of us use as "glue" is not that. It's caulk and being such has to cure. It doesn't "dry".
Silicone caulk contains a chemical that helps it cure/harden, it usually does this within 24 hours of application. If after this time the silicone hasn't cured chances are that it won't. Scrape it off and clean the area with rubbing alcohol. Don't use soap and water or nail polish remover alone. Always wipe down with rubbing alcohol. Silicone won't adhere to soap scum or oily residue.
Always check the expiration date and get one as far away from the current date as possible. I've noticed that sometimes the date is printed in ink and others it's an impression in the plastic tube. Maybe the method used depends on which factory the stuff is coming from. The curing agent in the caulk breaks down over time and become ineffective. One sign of this break down is the caulk coming out of the tube milky or grainy looking. If you see this, use a different tube.
I'd guess that most of us on this forum has dealt with this issue at least once in our junking careers. Just chalk it up as another learning experience and go play!
Marlene Kindred
15 years ago
The date is sometimes very hard to see because they tend to put it in the "blue or gray" part of the tube and the ink is nearly the same color! Sheesh. It is listed on the side near the end of my tube. Also, my husband uses a trick to help the leftover tube stay soft longer. He squeezes a little into the cap that you put back on the end, then squeezes the caulk all the way to the end of the "snoot", then puts the top on...seems to work well for us. Give it a try! Sorry to hear that your totems didn't dry or cure. I always leave my totems inside for at least a week before I attempt to take them out. Good luck with yours!
Purplemoon
15 years ago
I quit buying it at Walmart and got a big tube and calking gun at Home Depot. Its worked great. And I use a razor blade to clean any excess or old stuff off.

hugs, Karen
laurastheme
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for all the input. I do always clean what I'm gluing together with alcohol. I had to use the nail polish remover to get the goo off. The last tube I used was milky looking and a stiffer consistently than what I usually use. I had reservations about using it, but was anxious to get the totems done so I used it anyway. Big mistake!! I also notice that as I get close to the end of the glue in the tube it's stiffer and sometimes hard to squeeze out. From now on I'll buy a new tube at that point.

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