Softening plumber's putty

Bob

Well-known Member
How to soften plumber's putty that has sat on the shelf for a long time (either at home or at a low-volume store where it doesn't get "turned over" often)?

Some say linseed oil?

Any of you guys tried this?
 
(quoted from post at 16:21:38 09/24/17) How to soften plumber's putty that has sat on the shelf for a long time (either at home or at a low-volume store where it doesn't get "turned over" often)?

Some say linseed oil?

Any of you guys tried this?
remember my Dad doing just that.
 
Return it to the store and get a fresh container of plumber's putty. Consider the job it's intended to do...dried out putty won't seal very well or for very long. The labor to pull things apart and replace the putty a second time is worth more than the cost using fresh putty the first time.
 
I have used Linseed oil for regular putty that's going onto wood and the oil is good for the wood. I am not so sure that I would use it for plumbers putty that going around steel or porcelain. Just my 2 cents worth.
 

I have a few different containers around because when I can't find it I pick up another. I am always amazed at how it stays pliable for so many years.
 
"Return it to the store and get a fresh container of plumber's putty."

It IS a "fresh container" from the store.

I live about 120 miles from a supplier with enough turnover to have usable caulking compound or plumber's putty on the shelf.

Not to mention windshield urethane.

Had a little project this weekend and a 4 hour round trip or a delivery from Amazon wasn't an option!
 
Plumber's putty has normally stayed usable five year after I've purchased it. If your store is selling dried putty you would do them a favor to tell them about that. If the manger cares at all, he will probably ship you a replacement at no charge.

Wow, two hours is a really long ways from a hardware store. I thought 6 miles from the farm to a decent hardware store was a isolated. Where are you, outer Siberia?
 
From what I am gathering,less and less plumber's putty is being used. So, the stuff on the shelf might be quite old. Caulk, both latex and silicone are what they seem to be going to. Nice search item for google.
 
I've done that a number of times. Linseed oil always works for me. As recent as last week replacing our kitchen sink.
 
Throw that stuff out. Ever try to take pipes apart where they used that stuff? I use cheap clear house silicon. Ten years from now, you can take it apart like it was put on yesterday. I use it on all nuts and bolts too.
 
I tried the microwave and mineral oil approach ... worked perfectly. The putty was at around freezing and probably 3-4 years old, but it was a full container so not a lot of air in there. The putty was not hard-dry, but also not really pliable. A lump about 2 tablespoons in volume got to warm-enough-to-knead in 1-1/2 mins in the microwave, then about a 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of mineral oil and 3 minutes of kneading had it like brand new. Better than even a 4-mile ride to the hardware store!
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top