I've never used Hylomar. But I see it's popular here. I assume it's the Hylomar Blue that is used.
What's the shelf life of Hylomar after it's been opened? Other gasket sealers seem to be one and done. (They solidify in the tube).
Amazon wants $18 for a tube. Pricey compared to Permatex.

 

There's probably half dozen versions Hylomar if you dig a little. I tried 3 and each dried in the tube after opening, maybe my fault, I dunno. I did use some, really messy but acetone is the deal to clean it rather than brakleen.

Permatex 85420 (red) is a near copy, locally available at most parts stores and is fuel resistant which was the main feature of Hylomar.

I bought it same time as the Hylomar, I still have the Permatex and the Hylomar is long been buried in the landfill. Just my experience, yours may be different.

Depends what you wanna use it for

 

I have a tube over 10 years old (maybe more) and just used it on some O-rings a week ago (found it in a box of old Triumph arts I was getting rid of).

Seemed just fine. Never had a tube of it go bad on me.

Harley used to recommend it in their factory service manuals. Great as a gasket dressing that never gets hard, a thread sealant, coating for O-rings, etc. I always have a tube or two on hand right next to the four different types of loctite.

 

Just an FYI: When using Hylomar, let it dry at least 15 minutes before assembling the parts.

 

I personally do Not use Hylomar very often..Much Preferring 1104 ThreeBond.. But...In a Pinch...especially since the 1104 is Discontinued, last I knew!!

 

Indian Head gasket shellac is my favorite.

Griz

 

I used Hylomar in the day but now use only Right Stuff. It is available in a cheeze whiz like can that has a much longer shelf life than the tube.

 

I llike Hylomar Blue and anaerobic sealants as well, let them tack up for 10 minutes, and life is great. Assembled many, many engines, transmissions, etc. in my career with that stuff.

Three Bond and all of its OE brandings (Honda, Yamaha, Cummins, etc) is simply the best silicone type sealant out there, but for the price, you better use it ALL that first time. There is nothing that will stop it from setting up in the tube. Sucks!

 

The blue is the most common , get the cap back on & sealed the stuff will last for years in the tube. Have a partial I know is well over 10 yrs old. An no the the other gasket sealers are not one and done, the best thing about working with Hylomar is super easy clean up, can use it to seal anything from the intake manifold, cures the usual shovel intake headaches to threaded fasteners and small pipe fittings. Doesn't dry out so you aren't scraping or digging hard dry sealer out of things. That $18 tube replaces about everything for a all round sealer that works. And a lot of gaskets can be reused with it.

 

Two different animals. I also like (and use) the Right stuff when I need a gasket maker. Sometimes hard to find, but you can get the Right Stuff in either gray or black if you look hard enough.

Yes they both seal or aid in sealing, but Hylomar (or the Permatex Permashield) is more like a non setting gasket dressing and not really a gasket maker like silicone sealer. Hylomar does not set up firm and gasoline does not affect Hylomar/Permashield.

Hylomar makes different viscosities or consistencies where the Permashield is only available in one. The Permashield is a little on the thin side compared to the standard Hylomar Universal Blue, but easy to get at any auto chain like orielly, autozone, advance, etc. If you find an auto parts store that carries Hylomar, then you just found an awesome auto parts store.

I found the Hylomar/Permashield is easy to apply if I put a dab on the pad of my finger and sort of "pat" or tap the sealer evenly on the brake cleaned metal surfaces. I get even coverage that way as you can see darker and lighter areas and add more as needed. You actually can see thru the sealer once it's applied on the surface your sealing with darker blue area is thicker than thinner area is a lighter blue. I do an even coat on the two mating metal surfaces with the Hylomar, then place the gasket on one of them (the Hylomar will hold the gasket in place), then the other half or cover gets installed. It really does not take to much to do the job. Very thin application, not thick like silicone sealer.

EXAMPLE: It should only take only about 4 or 5 quarter inch to three eights inch (6 to 9mm for the rest of the world) "dabs" of hylomar evenly spread out to do and entire outer primary cover gasket surface. 4 or 5 more "dabs" for the the entire inner primary mating gasket surface, and a paper gasket in between. I also use it on the large stator O-ring. It helps seal it, keep it pliable, and holds it in place. The point is: a thin and even layer. Don't make a bead with it like silicone gasket maker. It's just "dressing" the surfaces.

NOTE: Don't use Hylomar on foam/aluminum core gaskets. It makes a mess of them. Those types of gaskets should not need any type of sealer. If you still have leaks with the foam aluminum type, then go back to the paper with Hylomar style and see if that cures your issue.

Applying it the way I describe also makes the solvents evaporate faster and it stiffens or thickens up faster. Gives you an even application and coverage. I love it for the mid control O-rings on the shift shaft tube, oil tank cover O-rings (Dyna), (any O-rings), and when I replaced my stator I put it on the stator plug rectangle rubber bushing that slips thru the hole in the engine block and that rubber bushing slid in with ease. Sometimes those will fight you going in. I hoped it would prevent the famous primary oil leak/rubber bushing shrinking leak but it did not. The rubber still shrank a year or two later from the primary oil and I ended up removing the rubber bushing completely and filled the hole with Right Stuff (thanks for the idea Griz). Any paper gasket I use gets Hylomar.

One last thing about Hylomar/Permashield: Since it does not set up, it will not block oil passages (so the manufacturer says). Excess silicone will set up and could block an oil passage. Hylomar will not do that. Supposedly it squeezes thru the passage. I use the Hylomar on oil drain plug threads and their sealing washers also.

A 100 years ago when I did my first complete engine rebuild on my old 1970 Honda 100, I was fairly new to Hylomar, so I used a little to much Hylomar in reassembly of the engine. Later, post rebuild when changing the oil, I found the excess stuff that had squeezed out (during reassembly) trapped on the oil trap screen. Still soft, sticky and pliable.

Anyways, my long winded point and description is that it's good stuff when used for certain things and certain applications. It will make life easier and can resolve/prevent some sealing issues people may encounter. It's just like any other tool. If used in the right situation and used correctly, it does the job and makes your life easier. Just need to know how, when, and where to use it.