Old stainless framed tanks

[Ttw]

I'm amazed as I restore old stainless steel framed tanks that the "tar" used to seat the glass often is still very pliable and sticky. I wonder if our silicone sealed tanks will hold up as long.

 

[tjudy]

In AZ? Probably not if the tanks are stored dry in a place where they are subjected to AZ Summer heat. When I lived out there I made the mistake of leaving dry tanks in a storage unit. A year later I set them up and had a couple leak. The silicone had pulled away from the glass on a few of the tanks. There is some moisture content in silicone, and in water it absorbs more water. Tar probably does not do that, which is why it remains pliable.

 

[aquaticclarity]

My guess is that the tar was warm enough when you checked it that it was pliable. Trust me-it DOES dry out and crack!