How to better seal a cabinet...?

DBall · 01-13-2010, 01:41 PM

I have this:

I'd love to make it seal better (as this time of year it fluctuates wildly). Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

bobarian · 01-13-2010, 02:06 PM

Dan, PM Ratters. I know he did some work on his tower and redid the seals. I dont know what product he used. I know he is using a combination of beads and Moist-N-Aire to maintain Rh. But our humidity is more stable out here.

T.G · 01-13-2010, 02:20 PM

Not knowing where or if the cabinet is leaking, or is just breathing too much...

Generally speaking:

-Check door seals, adjust hinges, re-weatherstrip, add magnets to hold door shut evenly if necessary (drill shallow depth hole in door & frame, epoxy in two rare earth magnets).
-Seal any power outlets or cutouts with vinyl weather stripping or caulking
-Caulk/weatherstrip around the glass to wood contact points to seal.
-Check back panel mounting to body of humidor tower, sometimes these are very cheaply done and leak like sieves.
-Reseal back panel with spray varnish/urethane, again, sometime manufacturers cut corners on back panel material quality, thickness and coatings.
-ditto above for underside of bottom panel.

I also know some BOTLs who have had success in minimizing swings by running two smaller active humidifiers, like a pair of standard humi-care/hydras rather than one large active humidifier in their towers - one toward the upper 1/3, one in the lower 1/3. Some have also added beads or gel-jars in the drawers.

Blueface · 01-13-2010, 02:30 PM

Dan,
I noticed you said "as this time of year it fluctuates".
Does it fluctuate in the Spring and Summer?
If not, then you are victim to what use to happen to me in the NJ winters. Impossible to maintain a stable humidity as would always drop on me in the winter.

My Aristocrat uses a foam seal that you may be able to buy locally and replace yourself if that is an issue for you.

Footbag · 01-13-2010, 03:16 PM

Are you sure it's not just the low humidity? Mine seems to be running all of the time in the less humid months. I have to fill it every two weeks as opposed to once every two months in the summer.

If you're sure it's leaking, you have to find out where. I have a similar humidor, and a gasket near the outlet might help, but besides that, the door is perfectly strait and seems to make a tight seal.

01-13-2010, 01:41 PM	#1
DBall Cigar Jesus Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,781 Trading: (46)	How to better seal a cabinet...? I have this: I'd love to make it seal better (as this time of year it fluctuates wildly). Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. __________________ --------Dan--------- My Music \| My Videos

01-13-2010, 02:06 PM	#2
bobarian Cranky Habanophile Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wine Country Posts: 8,869 Trading: (51)	Re: How to better seal a cabinet...? Dan, PM Ratters. I know he did some work on his tower and redid the seals. I dont know what product he used. I know he is using a combination of beads and Moist-N-Aire to maintain Rh. But our humidity is more stable out here.

01-13-2010, 02:20 PM	#3
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: How to better seal a cabinet...? Not knowing where or if the cabinet is leaking, or is just breathing too much... Generally speaking: -Check door seals, adjust hinges, re-weatherstrip, add magnets to hold door shut evenly if necessary (drill shallow depth hole in door & frame, epoxy in two rare earth magnets). -Seal any power outlets or cutouts with vinyl weather stripping or caulking -Caulk/weatherstrip around the glass to wood contact points to seal. -Check back panel mounting to body of humidor tower, sometimes these are very cheaply done and leak like sieves. -Reseal back panel with spray varnish/urethane, again, sometime manufacturers cut corners on back panel material quality, thickness and coatings. -ditto above for underside of bottom panel. I also know some BOTLs who have had success in minimizing swings by running two smaller active humidifiers, like a pair of standard humi-care/hydras rather than one large active humidifier in their towers - one toward the upper 1/3, one in the lower 1/3. Some have also added beads or gel-jars in the drawers.

01-13-2010, 02:30 PM	#4
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Re: How to better seal a cabinet...? Dan, I noticed you said "as this time of year it fluctuates". Does it fluctuate in the Spring and Summer? If not, then you are victim to what use to happen to me in the NJ winters. Impossible to maintain a stable humidity as would always drop on me in the winter. My Aristocrat uses a foam seal that you may be able to buy locally and replace yourself if that is an issue for you. __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

01-13-2010, 03:16 PM	#5
Footbag I Need My Space Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Adam Location: NEPA Posts: 1,216 Trading: (7)	Re: How to better seal a cabinet...? Are you sure it's not just the low humidity? Mine seems to be running all of the time in the less humid months. I have to fill it every two weeks as opposed to once every two months in the summer. If you're sure it's leaking, you have to find out where. I have a similar humidor, and a gasket near the outlet might help, but besides that, the door is perfectly strait and seems to make a tight seal.