Andrew Orde
10-30-2004, 05:37 PM
What is this so called "Loctite"?
Loctite is really a company. The product you are looking for is thread lock. Thread Lock is a gel adhesive used to secure threads from slipping and or vibration. It can also be found in a stick, much like a glue-stick.
What are the different colors of loctite for? Its like a rainbow!
The colors of loctite represent different strengths. The weakest is purple loctite. It will break at about 62 pounds of torque. The most common is blue loctite. It is uses to to make bonds that you may want to remove. It breaks at about 115 lbs or torque. The next is red. There are two types of red loctite the first is labeled as permanent strength and can be removed but is fairly difficult. It breaks at about 168 lbs of torque. The other is High strength. It breaks at about 230 lbs of torque. These are the most common types used but depending on the company that makes it there are many different colors, sometimes green, yellow, orange, black....But these generally stay the same. These other colors also may represent special purposes like High temperature or for screws with an especially large diameter.
How do I remove it?
All types of threadlock can be removed. But many require more force and heat. If you are using the basic blue or red you can take a lighter and hold it on the specific area for a minute or two then try to un screw it. BE CAREFUL! If this dose not work you should try heating it up for longer or using a candle or something hotter such as a torch or a gas stove. Again. Be careful.
What are the advantages of threadlock over teflon tape?
If you are using this on a paintball gun (which im assuming you are considering your in a paintball forum) chances there is air involved. If you use this on air fittings or anything that the air will pass by the tape may become frayed and pieces of it can break off. If you are shooting a true electro gun these can break off and get in your solenoid. This can ruin the solenoid and cost you a decent amount of money.
Having said that sometimes loctite doesn't make as thick and even a seal as teflon tape. And if you run a spyder (or spyder clone), tippmann, or anything else without a solenoid you can use it no problem.
So how do I know what color to use?
General rule of thumb is if you ever want to remove it again use blue loctite. With this you should be able to use small hand tools and some heat to remove the piece. If you want it to stay on there permanently use red loctite. You still could remove it but it takes some effort. If you are doing something like putting a guage on a tank use the Highest strength you can find (usually black). If you are just doing something small like trigger screws you should use purple.
Are there any other uses for Loctite?
Yes, another common use for loctite is stripped screws. If you place some Blue loctite on a hex key, screw driver...and let it dry completely you should be able to remove the screw. You use blue so you don't ruin your tool. Of course another option for this is taking your piece to a machine shop and they can remove it for you.
What is the drying time on loctite?
Loctite usually takes about 20 minutes to "fix" and then 24 hours before you should do anything to it. Especially airing your gun up. Howerer, there are several prep products that can reduce fix time to about 5 minutes.
Where do I get loctite? And how much dose it cost?
You can get loctite at any number of places. Some common places are Wal-mart, and Home Depot. It can also be found at most local hardware stores and sometimes craft stores. Loctite isn't very expensive is is usually about 5-10 dollars a tube. And these tubes will last you quite a long time.
How do I use it?
Take the screw , fitting, part, whatever off your gun. Clean it and where you are going to put it thoroughly. I recommend using windex. If you have some sort of recommended surface prep. product (made by the same company) apply it now. Next you should place a few drops of the threadlock on the threads of the screw. Start to screw it in and if needed put a little more on the threads as close to the top as passable. Wipe off and excess .and then let it "fix" (usually about 20 minutes) before moving, and leave at least 24 hours before doing anything else.
Uhhh Why not just super glue?
Superglue dose not do the same thing as loctite and may not create as strong of a hold or even a too strong hold (depending on the loctite you choose). Superglue is just that. Glue. Loctite will create a special bond between the metals that can be specialized by the different colors. Also if you get super glue on your gun and dry it will leave the crusty white glue. Simply put spend the extra 4 dollars and buy loctite and do it right.
Loctite is really a company. The product you are looking for is thread lock. Thread Lock is a gel adhesive used to secure threads from slipping and or vibration. It can also be found in a stick, much like a glue-stick.
What are the different colors of loctite for? Its like a rainbow!
The colors of loctite represent different strengths. The weakest is purple loctite. It will break at about 62 pounds of torque. The most common is blue loctite. It is uses to to make bonds that you may want to remove. It breaks at about 115 lbs or torque. The next is red. There are two types of red loctite the first is labeled as permanent strength and can be removed but is fairly difficult. It breaks at about 168 lbs of torque. The other is High strength. It breaks at about 230 lbs of torque. These are the most common types used but depending on the company that makes it there are many different colors, sometimes green, yellow, orange, black....But these generally stay the same. These other colors also may represent special purposes like High temperature or for screws with an especially large diameter.
How do I remove it?
All types of threadlock can be removed. But many require more force and heat. If you are using the basic blue or red you can take a lighter and hold it on the specific area for a minute or two then try to un screw it. BE CAREFUL! If this dose not work you should try heating it up for longer or using a candle or something hotter such as a torch or a gas stove. Again. Be careful.
What are the advantages of threadlock over teflon tape?
If you are using this on a paintball gun (which im assuming you are considering your in a paintball forum) chances there is air involved. If you use this on air fittings or anything that the air will pass by the tape may become frayed and pieces of it can break off. If you are shooting a true electro gun these can break off and get in your solenoid. This can ruin the solenoid and cost you a decent amount of money.
Having said that sometimes loctite doesn't make as thick and even a seal as teflon tape. And if you run a spyder (or spyder clone), tippmann, or anything else without a solenoid you can use it no problem.
So how do I know what color to use?
General rule of thumb is if you ever want to remove it again use blue loctite. With this you should be able to use small hand tools and some heat to remove the piece. If you want it to stay on there permanently use red loctite. You still could remove it but it takes some effort. If you are doing something like putting a guage on a tank use the Highest strength you can find (usually black). If you are just doing something small like trigger screws you should use purple.
Are there any other uses for Loctite?
Yes, another common use for loctite is stripped screws. If you place some Blue loctite on a hex key, screw driver...and let it dry completely you should be able to remove the screw. You use blue so you don't ruin your tool. Of course another option for this is taking your piece to a machine shop and they can remove it for you.
What is the drying time on loctite?
Loctite usually takes about 20 minutes to "fix" and then 24 hours before you should do anything to it. Especially airing your gun up. Howerer, there are several prep products that can reduce fix time to about 5 minutes.
Where do I get loctite? And how much dose it cost?
You can get loctite at any number of places. Some common places are Wal-mart, and Home Depot. It can also be found at most local hardware stores and sometimes craft stores. Loctite isn't very expensive is is usually about 5-10 dollars a tube. And these tubes will last you quite a long time.
How do I use it?
Take the screw , fitting, part, whatever off your gun. Clean it and where you are going to put it thoroughly. I recommend using windex. If you have some sort of recommended surface prep. product (made by the same company) apply it now. Next you should place a few drops of the threadlock on the threads of the screw. Start to screw it in and if needed put a little more on the threads as close to the top as passable. Wipe off and excess .and then let it "fix" (usually about 20 minutes) before moving, and leave at least 24 hours before doing anything else.
Uhhh Why not just super glue?
Superglue dose not do the same thing as loctite and may not create as strong of a hold or even a too strong hold (depending on the loctite you choose). Superglue is just that. Glue. Loctite will create a special bond between the metals that can be specialized by the different colors. Also if you get super glue on your gun and dry it will leave the crusty white glue. Simply put spend the extra 4 dollars and buy loctite and do it right.