Designed for use with Monstertube / Monstertube Jr (may also work with other reverse-flange cylinders 3" TO 3.5")
Note that use of this product or participation in the activity of pumping is something you do entirely at your own risk. Read all the contents of this information sheet before using your seal, including the disclaimer at the bottom.
THE MT3 SEAL IS AVAILABLE IN BOTH THE POLY-VINYL MATERIAL AND IN 100% LAB-QUALITY SILICONE. IN ADDITION TO THIS PAGE, PLEASE REFER TO THE MATERIAL CARE & HANDLING SHEET FOR GENERAL CARE INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS ACCORDING TO WHICH MATERIAL YOUR SEAL IS MADE WITH.
THE MT3 SEAL DIFFERS FROM OTHER SEALS IN THAT IT DOES NOT WRAP OR OTHERWISE “ATTACH” TO A TUBE OR CYLINDER IN ANY WAY.
TO USE THE MT3 SEAL: This seal is usually placed over the pumpers' complete package, with the smooth side toward your body. The reverse side (with the small center rim projecting) is away from you. Then the cylinder is brought into contact with the seal, and vac applied to start pumping. The seal and cylinder are held in place ONLY by vacuum. The cylinder vac is relieved to end pumping, and the cylinder removed, leaving the seal in place. Then the seal is gently slipped over the pumped package to remove it.
The black O-ring is used to limit "extrusion"- or outward expansion of the seal due to the squeeze between body and the cylinder. The O-ring also makes removal of the seal more difficult after pumping, thus it helps to remove the O-ring from the seal before removing the seal from your pumped package. The O-ring may not be needed at all to make the seal work for you, depending on your build and vac pressure preferences. Most pumpers find they do not need it, and leave it off.
This material has a fluid component called a plasticizer; it is what keeps the material soft. This plasticizer will eventually be lost (3-5 years in an unused product) resulting in hardening of the seal. Pumping accelerates that process just by the application of the vacuum environment it works in. However, it can be accelerated dramatically in a seal by improper use and care.
Many lubricants contain petroleum or mineral bases which will leach the plasticizer from the seal, causing it to harden and shrink in less time. This varies with the frequency of use as well as the type of lube and cleaning used. You should use ONLY vegetable or water based lubricants- and as water-based lubes lose their lube quality quickly, they are the less practical choice. We recommend Glyde, the only lube specifically designed for pumping. Lubricants should only be used on the skin-side of the seal, not on the cylinder-contact surfaces.
STORAGE IS VERY IMPORTANT! Store seals closed IN THE ORIGINAL POLY SLIDE LOCK BAG, or the equivalent. Do not leave it lying on or in contact with unknown plastics, painted or varnished surface. Store at room temperature. It's important to store the seal flat- either side up, and do not allow other objects to rest on it. This plastic will take a "set" (permanent change of shape) if stored in a distorted position.
There is a dispersion of light oil (this is free plasticizer) that comes from this plastic, which quickly diminishes in volume but never fully ends. This plastic oil will react with certain other materials, and the reaction can damage the seal, the surface in contact with it, or both. Specifically- avoid contact with styrene plastics and varnished surfaces. Since most cylinders are made of acrylic, it can be used on most plastic cylinders.
Always CLEAN the seal after use; this removes the effect of lubricants during storage. You may wipe it clean with a paper towel, or wash with warm water and mild soap. Remember that the plasticizer is also a type of oil- the stronger the detergent, the more it attacks any plasticizer close to the surface of the seal material.
Limit the stretching to what you need; do it smoothly and gently. Because it's soft, the material is also subject to tearing if stretched or pinched beyond it's limits.
Be careful not to nick or cut the surface of the material. A small nick will cause a "stress riser" that will later allow the seal to tear easily when stretched or stressed at that point. This is why plastic bags tear easily- once you get a rip started. Such cuts can be caused by small sharp edges on an STJ jar rim, or by fingernails that may dig in when removing a seal.
Leaks past a seal are usually caused by hair or other interference. This may be between the seal and you or between the seal and cylinder. No lubricant is needed between the cylinder and seal- but lube (Glyde) should be used between the seal and skin.
If you are having leaks in the seal area, you will have one of these problems:
(1) Leaking past skin- usually due to hair. Lubricants on the skin will help offset the hair problem to an extent.
(2) Leaking past cylinder rim- you probably have some foreign object, such as a hair laying over the rim. If using a Monstertube split-body cylinder, you may have an irregular surface where your split seal meets the top. That area needs to be smooth, and may require trimming the split seal with a razor blade to level it.
More questions?? Send an email, we will help!
DISCLAIMER: In selling this product to the buyer, the seller makes no warranty of it's fitness for the described use or any other use, either expressed or implied. The seller does not recommend pumping or the use of this seal, and takes no responsibility for the buyer's use of this seal for any purpose. By using this seal, the buyer personally accepts full responsibility for any risk he may encounter, and further agrees to hold the seller harmless in the event of any injury in any way related to this product, regardless of cause. Should you not agree to accept this risk, you should return the item unused for a full refund.
Should you have further questions or need of assistance with this product, please contact PumpToys at 1-866-345-3451 or by email to PumpToys Info
