Sealind a leaky humidor?

chand · 07-17-2011, 07:43 PM

So, the first humidor I ever bought looks like this:

It has never sealed right, and I eventually moved on to a cooler or two. I want to try to seal the glass sides and maybe the door so I can put out cigars at my upcoming wedding. Any ideas on the best materials or techniques?

spelling edit: Nice title. Maybe I shouldn't drink and type?

Volusianator · 07-17-2011, 07:55 PM

So you think the glass leaks around the seal of the wood? If so, if the glass can come out, simply use silicon, it will smell till it dries completely, but will do the trick. More than likely the door has a poor seal as well and a little felt or thin foam will fix that too.

chand · 07-17-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volusianator

So you think the glass leaks around the seal of the wood? If so, if the glass can come out, simply use silicon, it will smell till it dries completely, but will do the trick. More than likely the door has a poor seal as well and a little felt or thin foam will fix that too.

I assume its the door, but I'm thinking I should just seal up everything I can.

T.G · 07-17-2011, 08:03 PM

For the time that the cigars are in there for the wedding, it really won't matter if it leaks a bit.

Now, such being said, if you want to seal the humidor anyway, probably wouldn't hurt to figure out where the leaks are. Are they around the glass where it is set in the wood or just around the door? Or at the hygrometer cutout?

The door is easy, and the likely culprit. Just check the gap - you can slide a dollar bill around with the door closed to check, if it sides easily, it's probably not sealing well. Adjust the hinges if necessary pr go to a better vinyl weather stripping. Also check the door for warping and not being mounted evenly. An uneven mount you might be able to adjust the hinges, but if it's warped, you're probably out of luck.

As for the glass, you can pop the wooden pieces out that hold the glass in place (drawing a total blank on what they are called), take the glass out, put down a bead of silicone sealant, reinstall the glass and then reinstall the wooden pieces. Or you could just run a bead around the gap without disassembly, but it will be visible. If they don't leak, I wouldn't mess with them, too much potential for damage or broken glass.

For the hygrometer, just pop it out and put some silicone sealant in the hole & around the lip, then reinstall it. Wipe up the excess sealant and it should be taken care of. Although a significant leak here is unlikely.

MrOneEyedBoh · 07-17-2011, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chand

So, the first humidor I ever bought looks like this:

It has never sealed right, and I eventually moved on to a cooler or two. I want to try to seal the glass sides and maybe the door so I can put out cigars at my upcoming wedding. Any ideas on the best materials or techniques?

spelling edit: Nice title. Maybe I shouldn't drink and type?

I had the same one and had nothing but issues with it.

CigarNut · 07-17-2011, 10:05 PM

I have nearly the same one -- the sides on mine are solid wood. I resealed the glass and the hygrometer with silcone and then put some thin foam weatherstripping around the wooden frame to seal the door. Now it seals pretty well and I have no problems with it.

chand · 07-18-2011, 05:54 AM

Awesome. Thanks everyone for the advice.

Blak Smyth · 07-18-2011, 06:11 AM

My neighbor has the exact unit and other than a broken hygrometer glass, it works fine.

07-17-2011, 07:43 PM	#1
chand Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Damian Location: Dover, DE Posts: 470 Trading: (22)	Sealing a leaky humidor? So, the first humidor I ever bought looks like this: It has never sealed right, and I eventually moved on to a cooler or two. I want to try to seal the glass sides and maybe the door so I can put out cigars at my upcoming wedding. Any ideas on the best materials or techniques? spelling edit: Nice title. Maybe I shouldn't drink and type? Last edited by chand; 07-17-2011 at 07:56 PM. Reason: spelling

07-17-2011, 07:55 PM	#2
Volusianator Bikes, Babes & Cigars! Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Wade Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 1,438 Trading: (17)	Re: Sealind a leaky humidor? So you think the glass leaks around the seal of the wood? If so, if the glass can come out, simply use silicon, it will smell till it dries completely, but will do the trick. More than likely the door has a poor seal as well and a little felt or thin foam will fix that too. __________________ Overtime pays more because of what you're missing, money isn't everything.

07-17-2011, 08:03 PM	#4
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: Sealind a leaky humidor? For the time that the cigars are in there for the wedding, it really won't matter if it leaks a bit. Now, such being said, if you want to seal the humidor anyway, probably wouldn't hurt to figure out where the leaks are. Are they around the glass where it is set in the wood or just around the door? Or at the hygrometer cutout? The door is easy, and the likely culprit. Just check the gap - you can slide a dollar bill around with the door closed to check, if it sides easily, it's probably not sealing well. Adjust the hinges if necessary pr go to a better vinyl weather stripping. Also check the door for warping and not being mounted evenly. An uneven mount you might be able to adjust the hinges, but if it's warped, you're probably out of luck. As for the glass, you can pop the wooden pieces out that hold the glass in place (drawing a total blank on what they are called), take the glass out, put down a bead of silicone sealant, reinstall the glass and then reinstall the wooden pieces. Or you could just run a bead around the gap without disassembly, but it will be visible. If they don't leak, I wouldn't mess with them, too much potential for damage or broken glass. For the hygrometer, just pop it out and put some silicone sealant in the hole & around the lip, then reinstall it. Wipe up the excess sealant and it should be taken care of. Although a significant leak here is unlikely.

07-17-2011, 10:05 PM	#6
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Sealind a leaky humidor? I have nearly the same one -- the sides on mine are solid wood. I resealed the glass and the hygrometer with silcone and then put some thin foam weatherstripping around the wooden frame to seal the door. Now it seals pretty well and I have no problems with it. __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

07-18-2011, 05:54 AM	#7
chand Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Damian Location: Dover, DE Posts: 470 Trading: (22)	Re: Sealind a leaky humidor? Awesome. Thanks everyone for the advice.

07-18-2011, 06:11 AM	#8
Blak Smyth Think Blue! Join Date: Jun 2011 First Name: SD Location: THE WOOD Posts: 8,486 Trading: (52)	Re: Sealind a leaky humidor? My neighbor has the exact unit and other than a broken hygrometer glass, it works fine. __________________ SUPPORT OUR TROOPS