Teflon vs Loctite

[MechWarrior]

I'm sure this has come up in the past, but I would like to figure out which is the best way to secure parts not only from vibration, but also air leaks.

I am at the point now to where I am starting to put the pieces together for my project mag and don't know whether to use loctite or teflon. I have heard horror stories in the past about people getting teflon into the actual workings of their gun and screwing things up royally. I wanted to hear from you guys to see if there is a big difference between to two...except that loctite is a thread locker.

For example:
Which seals air passages better?
Which will seal air from leaking the longest?
Which has the least amount of maintenance?
Is there a huge difference between red and blue loctite except that one is breakable?
etc.
etc.

[mr doo doo]

im not so sure how to explain its significance, but i like teflon tape more because its cheap, have a lot to use, and does its job if you know how to use it.

i used loctite once on my frineds tippman, and was sort of a pain: smelt funny, sucks when you get it on something that isnt suppose to be on, and worst of all, HARD TO TAKE APART ONCE DRIED! well, if you have enough muscle at least...

just my input

[MoeMag]

Teflon macro line fittings. If you do it right, no mess, and no leaks.

Blue loctight: is just to keep things from coming loose. Never really used it except for a few guns that specifically say to use it... I don't remember which but not a mag.

Red loctight: is tough. Use that when you really don't want something coming loose. The only reason I use it is for co2 pin valves to tanks.

Just use Teflon some basic thought and you will be fine.

[rkjunior303]

there are so many different applications..

generally you want 545 (pneumatic thread locker) for fittings. this will seal the threads of any leaks and will not bind. .. Blue is good for tacking on parts, such as feednecks or trigger screws that you don't want moving.. but you can still get them off with easy.. BlackVGC made a great post way back..

*edit*

it's a sticky in the tech forum:

http://www.automags.org/forums/showthread.php?t=133042

[punkncat]

The problems reported from teflon come from using tape, a bit breaking off and stopping up something. No big deal, but it happens nonetheless. Now if you really want to be extra anal about it not happening is to use liquid teflon. It paints on, dries in a bit and is easy to use.

Loktite is graded for its use from light and removable all the way to never-ever-in a million years....Although it will set airlines, if you ever plan on getting it loose w/o heat, its not a good idea.

As far as holding threads, loktite is the best....

[Eagle]

i use teflon tape. been playing for more than 10 years and it's what i'va always used, never a problem.

[Shane-O-Mac]

When used properly, Red loc-tite is the best. Put 2 drops of red on the last 3 threads of your fitting, let it wick all the way around to the other side, then lightly dab up the excess with a q-tip, so there is only loc-tite in the valleys of the threads, and install. After installing wipe up the excess that pools up at the fitting. Done this way I have NEVER had a problem removing fittings or gauges. There is no risk of getting teflon tape in your reg or valve (and yes I have seen it happen ALOT), and loc-tite has better gap filling properties, and the fitting/gauge will not move or leak when done properly. This is the method used by Air America factory and techs.

Shane-O

[MoeMag]

Blue is good for tacking on parts, such as feednecks or trigger screws that you don't want moving..

Oh yeah forgot about using loctite for that...

I would use red on feednecks cause Ion toting kiddies had a habbit of stripping out feednecks, and there would only be parts of a thread left at the bottom.

[st6212]

Purple loctite for pneumatic fittings.

Blue loctite for holding things together, but still able to undo when you need to.

Red loctite for holding things together permanently. (I would avoid using red, unless its for something you know you will never have to touch ever. Like feedneck?)

If you want to go the teflon route (which is fine when done right) go with YELLOW teflon, not the WHITE stuff.

The YELLOW is thicker and is actually for pneumatic use (albeit, low pressure around 400psi I think). And you only need to wrap it around the thread once, or twice if you want.

The WHITE is designed for plumbing, tears more easily cos its thinner and has a much lower operating pressure...cos well its PLUMBING tape!

[hitech]

If you know how to use teflon tape you won't get it into anything. I have used it for more than 20 years on ALL air fittings and have NEVER gotten any inside of anything.

[Cow123]

I use Teflon tape on pneumatic fittings, and blue loctite on anything else that needs it. I don't see a need for red loctite. Blue is strong enough, and who knows, maybe one day you will have to disassemble whatever you used that red loctite on.

[Dewok82]

There are many schools of thought on this subject, but here are my opinions:

DON'T EVER USE RED LOCTITE ON ANYTHING FOR PAINTBALL!!!
I can't tell you how much blood, sweat, and tears I have shed removing red-loctited parts. Red Loctite is meant to be permanent. Removing it requires heat, a LOT of heat. The "hot water" trick doesn't really work. You need a torch or heat gun along with a good strap wrench. You will most likely melt or burn any nearby o-rings and other soft parts as well as mar finishes when removing red loctite.
The ONLY reason I should see red loctite being used is by paintball companies to limit their liability (ie on c02 tank pin valves).
Why use red Loctite? What parts will you never want to/need to remove?

Teflon tape is great for temporary applications. It's fast, cheap, there is no drying time, and it works. Just make sure to wrap the tape in the correct direction and don't use too much. Do not put tape past the end of the fitting or gauge or whatever. That is when it gets sucked into noids, valves, LPRs, etc. and creates problems.

Blue Loctite - My friend. Whenever I know a regulator, valve, fitting, or whatever is working properly, the Teflon tape is scraped off and a TINY amount of blue loctite is applied to the very last few threads that screw in. I wipe away the excess, wait 24 hours, and enjoy leak-free and non-n00bish looking fittings (yes, I associate wads of Teflon tape on your fittings with n00bishness).
If and when you should decide to change parts, the blue loctite will break with a little elbow grease and clean off easily. All of my showcase markers are in top-notch working condition and they all have blue loctite on most all of their threaded parts (air fittings, feednecks, set screws, etc..).

Purple Loctite - Not available in any of my local stores and I don't feel like ordering a replacement product when the blue version works just fine.

Once again, these are just my opinions.

[Shane-O-Mac]

Loc-tite is just like Teflon, When used PROPERLY, its fine. Red is perfectly fine when you use it following my guidelines above. Blue doesnt always seal up as its thinner consistancy doesnt fill gaps as well as red. Red is not the devil, just like the saying "guns dont kill people, people kill people" Red isnt bad, its the people who use it wrongly that is the problem. White teflon is just as bad, for wadding up, getting in your gun/reg etc. But when used properly teflon works fine, I do use it at times, but I use the yellow stuff. It is easier to work with and has a lesser tendency to unravel into your gun/reg. But once I get my fittings where I want them and how I want them, I'll red loc-tite them. I have used the paste, but it can be messy.

Bottomline, use what you feel most comfortable with, and learn how to properly use that type of sealant. Used properly they both work well, PROPERLY being the keyword.............

[hs2000]

I can't believe this discussion is even happening, teflon tape has nothing on blue locktite. I don't even wait for mine to dry and I've still never had a leak, it just works.

[originalspyderxtra]

my one big problem with locktite is when it dries and you go to take it out, it leaves a power that no matter what you think goes into the ole it was in. ive used white teflon tape for everything that includes my cocker pump arm and it works fine. i cant see whoe people complain about teflon tape getting into their gun unless they let it stick out over the threads really far in which case you should kill yourself for not knowing that could be bad.