Are You Using the Wrong Threadlocker?
BY Herschel Smith
1 year, 9 months ago
From the comments:
“The guys at Vortex recommend not using loctite on scope bases and rings. They say that loctite acts like a lubricant on the threads and can potentially make you over-torque the screws.”
“PURPLE!!! Purple people!! Purple is for the smaller screws, like you see in firearms. Read the instructions. The blue is rated for certain sizes, as is the purple. So few know purple exist. It will save you many a headache. READ the instructions.”
And finally, this one.
“A vortex customer service representative recommended that I use clear nail polish as threadlocker and I’ve never looked back never had a problem. Handles vibration and heat like nothing and breaks loose with not much torque when actually trying to remove something.”
Nail polish is an interesting take. I wouldn’t have thought of that. Any takers here?
On February 8, 2023 at 4:19 am, Nosmo said:
I’ve used clear nail polish on small threads for years. It’s cheap, available everywhere, and provides just enough resistance to loosening to be worthwhile. One thing is important – absolutely, totally clean threads. Not “wiped off with a clean rag” but “cleaned thoroughly with a lint-free cloth and acetone” and I would suggest fresh nitrile gloves as well because skin oils, or whatever oily residue you may have gotten on your fingers, will compromise the effectiveness.
I’m not surprised few people know about purple loctite. It seems to be “some sort of super specialty item” in the minds of many, but in reality it’s probably that hardware stores never carry the stuff, only blue and red so no one ever sees it.
Loctite Corp has a pretty good website and will share their info. They make a multitude of retaining and securing compounds. They also make cleaners and primers designed to improve the bonding of whatever color Loctite you use.
On February 8, 2023 at 6:51 am, Dan said:
Proper use of threadlockers is important to prevent inadvertent damage to items that can be difficult or even impossible to repair. I have use nail polish in the past. It’s a workable, readily available (if you’re married) item.
On February 8, 2023 at 7:38 am, Wes said:
Still use Loctite where appropriate; so far none of my guns have exploded for not using purple at times. Local store does stock purple these days.
Have used clear nail polish on adjustable bridge saddles on a guitar. May not seem like much but, when played, those tiny screws that adjust string height get subjected to a fair amount of vibration. In some examples with imperfect machining between the screw and its saddle, the most common behavior is for the screw to back out (loosen) yielding buzzing as the string lowers.
On February 8, 2023 at 9:28 am, xtphreak said:
Never used clear nail polish ON threads.
Used to use colored nail polish on trimpots to:
1) prevent movement of the adjustment
2) provide a “witness” to visually indicate that the trimpot had been moved since it was sealed.
On February 8, 2023 at 11:22 am, BigCountryExpat said:
I use both the nail polish and the purple Loctite.
Depends on the mission so to speak.
Scope locks? Nail polish.
Castle Nut? Loctite (purple) sometimes a client doesn’t want it staked…
On February 8, 2023 at 2:18 pm, sobiloff said:
I’ve been using Loctite purple 222 on scope rings for more than a decade of PRS-style shooting and haven’t had a failure or a problem removing/reinstalling. I use Rocksett for muzzle devices since it doesn’t soften at extreme temps like Loctite red 271 does, and then I’ve been using Loctite blue 242 on almost everything else. Gary over at Paramount Tactical turned me on to Vibra-Tite VC-3 as a replacement for Loctite blue and purple. It has some nice anti-vibration properties, and is also reusable a few times, unlike the Loctite products. The only drawback to VC-3 is that you have to let the product dry before installing, but once you’ve done that the fastener is good basically for life.
On February 8, 2023 at 10:52 pm, David F. said:
Loctite makes excellent anaerobic products and provides endless documentation of which formulation to use for threads, bearing retention, etc. All for free if you visit their website and download the PDFs. I have them all laminated and hanging on the wall of my machine shop. It really isn’t mysterious.
As a previous poster mentioned, Vibra-Tite is also excellent for firearms assembly and we’ve used it screwing .308 barrels in. But it is expensive in comparison.
On February 9, 2023 at 2:19 am, Ned said:
Glad to see the Vortex recommmendation. been doing it fo years with zero problems.