Has anyone else noticed that Permatex flowable silicone seems noticeably thicker than it used to be? I’ve been using Permatex for 10+ years on yo-yos, and recent tubes don’t really self-level the way they used to, even when warmed. It comes out more like syrup or gel and wants to hold shape instead of wicking into the groove.
I remember older tubes being much runnier and basically foolproof for response mods.
If you’ve noticed this too:
Have you found a way to make it behave better? Warming methods, application tricks, etc.
I can verify this. I’ve only done it with one tube, and 2 yo-yos I have done ended with lumpy responses. Knew it wasn’t a temperature issue, so I just switched to grey.
Just posted over in another thread, but there’s a picture of the flowable that I tried. Didn’t touch it, just tried to get it super low and was waiting for it to level out. It didn’t.
Were you recessing the flowable when you applied it? I’ve found flowable to be the perfect middle ground when recessed. Haven’t tried grey, though. Might have to give it a shot!
Best way to adjust the response it to fiddle with the recess when you are applying the silicone. You can either apply it flush (more responsive), or you can take the corner of a credit card and slightly recess it (less responsive). Let me know how you like the red if you try it, though!
iirc you like low response and recess your sili. if I’m right about that i think you’d really like gear oil. if nothing else it adds just enough hardness that you don’t have to recess it and it’s still really low response without being slippy
Anyone ever try dowsil 734? It’s comparatively expensive, but it is flowier (word?) and the shore rating is much lower than ultra grey (lower shore rating often feels better on binds, it’s why RSO pads are so good)
McMaster-Carr is known for fast shipping and great customer service but they are far from the cheapest supplier of most things. You can probably find it cheaper elsewhere.
What if you took the flowable tube and heated it up by letting it sit in some hot water for a few minutes before you used it? Maybe a heatgun after you pour it into the yoyo would help level it too. Not sure if this works its just an idea. Ive used the Ultra Grey and Red with good results before also.
!!! I thought I was doing something wrong all of a sudden. It’s like not self leveling at all.