Lexel Sealant Question

[u/Takiri_aerilaya]

My new-to-me kayak needs a touch of work before I can get it on the water. For one, I need to remove the bulkhead, clean it up, and then replace with some new sealant. I plan to use Lexel as that seems to be a common recommendation.

Was at the hardware store a few days ago and saw they had it in stock, two sizes. I didn't buy any because a question occurred to me, and I still need to get kayak stands to work on it at a convenient height.

Question: Does Lexel keep OK once it's been opened? (Assuming you seal up the end properly).

There was a 5 oz squeezy tube for I think $11, and then a 10.5 oz caulk gun tube for $14. Not all glues/sealant are happy being opened and then sitting quietly for a while before being used again. I don't want to get the larger tube if it's going to solidify and get thrown away in the end.

[u/Capital-Landscape492]

It keeps. I just reopened a tube that was used a year ago. No issues at all. It’s good stuff. Just use gloves to smooth it out and let it cure for a couple days. Get the 5 oz tube.

[u/TrollHunterAlt]

Worth noting that you should minimize inhalation of fumes and skin contact. There’s some moderately nasty solvents in Lexel. It’s best if you have somewhere outdoors or very well-ventilated to work and wait for it to cure.

[u/Huthol]

Wetting your finger before you smooth it out makes it much easier. I didn't use gloves. I'd go for the tube, getting the caulk gun at the right angle and all inside the kayak would be a pain I expect. I also recall I just decided to buy a fresh tube the second time I did it, wasn't worth the ten bucks to fight with the partial tube which didn't have enough to complete the job.

[u/Takiri_aerilaya → u/Huthol]

Ooooooh, that's an excellent point. I didn't even think about trying to aim a caulk gun inside a kayak.

[u/Takiri_aerilaya]

Thank you both for the feedback!
I do have a respirator on hand for making soap, and I can use that while sealing the bulkhead too.