+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 16

Thread: Food Grade Sealant/Caulking

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Barrington, NH
    Posts
    2,762

    Default Food Grade Sealant/Caulking

    My bulk tank has 5-10 pin hole leaks in the bottom. I tried soldering them this morning, but the solder wouldn't stick to the tank so I'm considering some kind food grade sealant or caulking to seal off the holes. Any ideas?

    Grainger sells this which is FDA approved, but for indirect contact only. I didn't find anything else from them.

    http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/TIT...XT4?Pid=search

    Thanks
    Last edited by Amber Gold; 02-19-2011 at 11:38 PM.
    Josh

    2009 - 370 on vac. & 16 buckets
    2010 - 377 on vac.
    2011 - 590 on vac.
    2012 - 620 on high vac., 170 buckets, 110 on gravity tubing
    2013 - 830 mine + 800-1000 others
    2014 - 870 mine + 800-1000 others
    2017 - 920 mine + 500-700 others
    2018 - 902 mine + 500-700 others
    2019 - 902 mine + 700 others
    2020 - 902 mine + ???? others
    Atlas Copco Pump
    2.5'x8' 802maple Special with Dallaire pans
    H2O Innovation 600gph RO
    Spring Harvest Website

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Altmar, NY
    Posts
    3,483

    Default

    Josh been down that road in the past and let me save you the aggrevation. The caulk/sealant/silicone whatever you want to call it will get all soft and eventually leech back into your sap. I had a seem on a tank that I put the stuff on. Was white when wet and clear when dried. After a couple days with sap in the tank I noticed it starting to turn white again and when I emptied the tank the sap had a white milky color to it. Tank went down the road, it was galvanized and Im sure lead solder anyways.
    2X6 deluxe Phanuef
    Adding 200 more every year
    27 years left of building a Hobby into a retirement time burner.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Barrington, NH
    Posts
    2,762

    Default

    OK. Then what can I use to fix the holes. The solder wouldn't stick to the tank...guessing because of the size and taking all the heat?? Is there something I can do differently with the soldering?
    Josh

    2009 - 370 on vac. & 16 buckets
    2010 - 377 on vac.
    2011 - 590 on vac.
    2012 - 620 on high vac., 170 buckets, 110 on gravity tubing
    2013 - 830 mine + 800-1000 others
    2014 - 870 mine + 800-1000 others
    2017 - 920 mine + 500-700 others
    2018 - 902 mine + 500-700 others
    2019 - 902 mine + 700 others
    2020 - 902 mine + ???? others
    Atlas Copco Pump
    2.5'x8' 802maple Special with Dallaire pans
    H2O Innovation 600gph RO
    Spring Harvest Website

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    wi
    Posts
    82

    Default

    Obviously my recommendation isn't a longterm fix if even a short one... but, would some really nice (not the el-cheapo stuff) duct tape work? Is it called gorilla tape or something? I know duct tape isn't made to contain liquid necessarily, but maybe? Really press down on it make a tight seal on a really dry and clean surface. Consider it a patch and go around a much larger area that just the hole itself. I'm not calling this next one to be fda compliant either but would shoo-goo work? There's gotta be something like this that would suffice even if just for this year. Consider asking a plumber what they might use. If I were to apply something or another, I think I'd be sure to apply just as much to the inside as to the outside of the tank in hopes that the inner stuff has something to grab onto on the outside and keep it from shifting during the year due to sap sloshing motion ?!?? Or maybe put a nice bead of clear silicone caulk down first then let it dry 2 days and follow up with that nice duct tape? I'm really just reaching here I guess.
    Last edited by jfroe939; 02-20-2011 at 04:33 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    East Longmeadow Ma
    Posts
    432

    Default

    A food grade solution would be weld it or have someone you know weld it. Welding is food grade and it wont leach into your sap. Tig welding is the best but someone who is good with a mig could so it. Stick welding is out of the question. My dads friend who is amazing with a tig welder welded a half dozen pin holes in my english tin flue pan. Just a warning english tin is one of the hardest metals to weld but im pretty sure your talking about a stainless steel bulk tank.
    02 F350 powerstroke and 89 Toyota 4X4 5 speed sap haulers
    16X16 sugar shack
    30"X8' raised flue GH Grimm evaporator Smoky Lake Maple front pan!
    Sthil MS 460, 026 (2), 009, husky 61, 365, 272, and a 42
    2009 41 taps, 2010 72 taps on a barrel evapotator all buckets, 2011 151 taps 34 buckets 117 taps on tubing.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    NH
    Posts
    232

    Default

    Rockys hardware concord has food grade silicone. check the label on the squeeze tube clear silicone rtv.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Eden Prairie, MN
    Posts
    1,636

    Default

    If the pin holes are not on a seam, try a small sheet metal screw with a rubber washer. I actually fixed a gas tank on a Corvair that way when I was a kid.
    John
    2x8 Smokylake drop flue with AOF/ AUF
    180 taps on sacks
    75 on 3/16 tubing with shurflo
    Eden Prairie, Minnesota

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    MN
    Posts
    78

    Default

    How about brazing the holes shut? Not sure if your tank is ss or galv. I had several galv sap buckets that had pin holes in them and brazed the holes shut. Never did end up using them though, but it did work.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Orwell,Vt.
    Posts
    1,126

    Default

    Josh---You could try a dab of JB Weld on each hole. I have used this on tanks in the past.
    2 1/2 x8 Lapierre Waterloo-Small (oil fired)
    Leader Steamaway
    1200 gph Lapierre RO
    1800 taps
    http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/j...ks/Sugarhouse/


    Mike Christian
    505 Main St. Orwell, Vt.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Slatington Pa
    Posts
    196

    Default

    food grade sealant/caulk in different colors available here

    http://www.emisupply.com/catalog/su5...ge-p-2283.html
    ~John Deere 750 4x4 /w65 loader~
    ~ 20" X 66" Maple Pro *7" drop flues~
    ~ 12 x 12 sugar shack~
    ~150+ taps old school~2011
    ~130+ taps for 2014~
    ~6x4 Gator~
    Hinkjc Mountain Poultry

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts