PVC Pipe Solvent/Cement, How do you Prolong in storage ?

The cement and solvent both have a lot of volatile organic compounds VOC to aid in drying and evaporating. They do not do well on a shelf. PLan to buy new for every project.

Kamphiker wrote:
Any tricks in keeping shelf Life ?

I purchase the smallest size containers for occasional use. By the time I get to another project I have to throw out the last purchase & buy new.

It makes simple cheap projects a lot more expensive (& a PITA to run out to HD / Lowes etc)

Other than keeping the top screwed on tightly, I got nothing. I too always buy the smallest size possible.

I don’t store the container in the garage where it’s warmest. Rather in the house or RV.

Maybe refrigeration but that is just a guess. The material is probably self polymerizing. And to slow that reaction down reducing the temp may help. The chemistry rule of thumb is that reducing the temp by 10 deg (C) will reduce reaction rate by a factor of two.

Of course that brings up the question of do you want to keep a can of cement in your fridge. Would not bother me, I also store super glue - cyanoacrylate glue in my fridge.

Or just store in inside the house. I have several varieties of glue and solvent that harden over time. However, I leave them in the hot garage due to the possibility of a leak.

drsteve wrote:

Kamphiker wrote:
Any tricks in keeping shelf Life ?

I purchase the smallest size containers for occasional use. By the time I get to another project I have to throw out the last purchase & buy new.

It makes simple cheap projects a lot more expensive (& a PITA to run out to HD / Lowes etc)

Other than keeping the top screwed on tightly, I got nothing. I too always buy the smallest size possible.

Same here. I assume I'll need to purchase a new can every time I need some.

I think I have used pvc cleaner and cement twice in the last 30 years. I guess I will just splurge and buy new when and if I ever have another project.

I was told by a plumber to store them upside down.

TenOC wrote:
I was told by a plumber to store them upside down.

I've read that also, but I doubt a plumber has a can that is unused for 6 months or a year.

It'd still be worth a try.

I close it tight and if it goes bad I simply buy a new one.
I check in advance of a project so I am not running out one more errand in the middle of getting something done.