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ACIM Projects > Gasket Retrofit > Tips > Buttons

Making Storage Cabinet Airtight
 

At some point in our storage cases long lives, many of them had holes drilled in the bottom presumably to maintain orderly stacking. Sometimes, holes were also drilled on the doors or sides. In order to create a stable microenvironment it was decided the holes had to be sealed. Many methods were discussed, but ultimately the plastic automotive button plug was decided upon.

Photograph of a cardboard box behind a small pile of automotive buttons, sitting on a top of a storage case with five holes drilled in it.

These plastic automotive buttons are available at auto parts stores and snap into place.

Photograph of a power drill drilling out a hole on top of a storage case.

To install buttons, use electric drill and drill bit to enlarge the small hole to be filled. Make sure to use the same size drill bit as the button.

Photograph of a rubber mallet about to hit a plastic automotive button into a hole in the storage case.

With a rubber mallet, or your finger, place the button in hole and push until firmly locked in place.

Photograph of five installed automotive buttons in a storage case top.

Here is how the buttons look installed.

SEAC Curation Laboratory
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior



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