Purple loctite
- Thread starter FatCatsDad
- Start date
Clear nail polish works well, or any color for that matter.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Maybe no help to OP - from small town prairies - I bought several tubes to use - seem to last forever!!! Home Hardware store or NAPA - do not remember which - the label says it is "Permatex Medium Strength Threadlocker Blue". Perhaps 3 or 4 times I changed my mind about what scope bases I would use on a particular rifle - do not recall any difficulty to remove screws that were installed with that stuff - maybe not really doing anything? But is only one tube left, so it does eventually get used up. I still use it when I install bases - but I also use a Weaver brand torque wrench to snug up those mounting screws to the base maker's torque spec - typically circa 30 inch-pounds for steel receivers and 20 inch-pounds for aluminum receivers - I have a note that the Talley Lightweight's call for less torque than that, on their 6-48 mounting screws.
It has been my practice to "chase" those threaded holes with a tap before installing the screws - amazing to me how much crap comes out from some rifles - no clue what that stuff is - also, I believe it straightens out stretched threads in the used guns - then a blast of carb-cleaner or brake cleaner - to get rid of oils in there. I might be overly fussy about that, according to some people.
And, I think the maker's spec's are assuming "dry" threads, whereas using that blue stuff works as a lubricant - so even though I fuss with toque wrench and settings, is possible / probable that I am exceeding the actual spec.
It has been my practice to "chase" those threaded holes with a tap before installing the screws - amazing to me how much crap comes out from some rifles - no clue what that stuff is - also, I believe it straightens out stretched threads in the used guns - then a blast of carb-cleaner or brake cleaner - to get rid of oils in there. I might be overly fussy about that, according to some people.
And, I think the maker's spec's are assuming "dry" threads, whereas using that blue stuff works as a lubricant - so even though I fuss with toque wrench and settings, is possible / probable that I am exceeding the actual spec.
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Permatex is owned by Loctite. Same stuff
FWIW cleaning the threads of any oil or grease or contaminant is required for those products to work as they should. You are not being fussy.
OP, purple is recommend by loctite on small screws for low strength hold. Small threads into aluminum for ex. I use blue and have had no issues removing the screws later.
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FatCatsDad
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
My father used heavy paint, the old stuff with lead in it
What was your favourite flavour as a kid? Kidding!
I have used blue forever until I found blue in a Chapstick like tube. Real thick consistency with no shaking or running off threads. Just dab it on fasteners in any orientation on mechanical jobs and it stays where you put it.
When I can find it, I try to use a formulation of blue that's specially blended to work on oily surfaces. I've never had an issue removing screws where it or blue or purple loctite had been applied.
One time when I was impatient and had no loctite, I used red nail polish on a change of scope for my first purchase of a .22LR and it was there and reassuringly visible for years and years- until I thumped the butt of the gun down on carpeting while putting it in the safe and the scope slid right out of the rings and hit the floor. The gun, a 10/22, had been strangely inaccurate for a few weeks before that and I just couldn't figure out why... now I know nail polish doesn't hold forever.
One time when I was impatient and had no loctite, I used red nail polish on a change of scope for my first purchase of a .22LR and it was there and reassuringly visible for years and years- until I thumped the butt of the gun down on carpeting while putting it in the safe and the scope slid right out of the rings and hit the floor. The gun, a 10/22, had been strangely inaccurate for a few weeks before that and I just couldn't figure out why... now I know nail polish doesn't hold forever.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I've been using blue for years on bases and rings and never have any problems removing screws.
FatCatsDad
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
helpful.
Good chart, looks like green would actually be ok.
I'll use the purple for now,.
The 15 mL tube is likely going to last a long time
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
I've drilled out more screws held with red loctite than blue. If you have to use any thread locker for your scope base screws, try to avoid red.
FatCatsDad
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The screws for the leupold base come with a dab of blue thread locker already applied.
None in the ring screws, which is fine as I've never used loc tite on rings
I started into this thread wondering "Purlple Loctite, never heard of it?"
Seeing the picture posted, I always thought it was pink lol. I have a 50ml bottle of Red, Blue, and 'pink' which is more than myself, my friends, my family.... will ever need
Seeing the picture posted, I always thought it was pink lol. I have a 50ml bottle of Red, Blue, and 'pink' which is more than myself, my friends, my family.... will ever need
