Mostly and FYI post. Every so often the subject pops up in this NG. My story:
Bought a cartridge tube of white GE Silicone II at Blue Borg in March
2008. Expiration date of 10/2008. Didn't use it but kept it. A few days ago I had a need for some caulk around a shower and opened it. Suppose to skin in 30 min and dry in 24hrs. Days later it's still even surface tacky.Wasn't sure what's needed to dissolve uncured stuff so I called GE this morning. Very responsive after a bit of a wait. Basically she says the cause is generally heat even with the unopened cartridges. Told her when I purchased it I brought it home and into the house which has A/C and it's been there since. Of course we both knew that we didn't know what it was exposed to between the time it was manufactured and when it got to the retail shelf.
Told her all I really called for was to find out what will dissolve the partially cured caulk after mechanically removing what I can. Won't really dissolve the half dried pcs but 91% isopropyl alcohol cleans up film. Fortunately I had done only a small portion of what I needed to but it still took 1-2 hrs to get it cleaned up the best possible.
Then she asked for my address info and says since it's opened they eat the cost and send a refund. Just asked where it was bought, the batch number and expiration date. Never asked what I paid for it. That'll be interesting.
She did mention that any product out on the shelves now should have an expiration date in 2010.
Because of the grief and added time & work, I self justified my taking it back to Blue Borg for a duplicate refund. They took it back no questions asked especially since I have the receipt. I picked up another one and indeed, the expiration date is 04/2010. Makes me wonder. If I bought that one in 03/2008 could that have been manufactured in 2006?!!! Would explain a lot.
So if there's anything to be gotten out of this post it should be that any GE silicone bought should have a 2010 expiration date and that it might be a good idea prior to using a tube to put some on scrap and see if it skins in 30-60 min.