Aluminum and loctite?

[BackToThePast]

So I have all these new aluminum parts that I don't want to loosen up after I install. I've read somewhere that you shouldn't use loctite on aluminum or stainless as it works a little TOO well...

Any truth to this?

 

[Supreme Reign]

So I have all these new aluminum parts that I don't want to loosen up after I install. I've read somewhere that you shouldn't use loctite on aluminum or stainless as it works a little TOO well...

Any thruth in this?

Loctite is intended for metal. Blue Loctite is fine, and it's the r/c standard, and it is removeable. It keeps screws from vibrating loose where metal meets metal. This is especially useful with nitro. Red Loctite, on the other hand, is permanent. Only use that where you never intend on dismantling something.

 

[william g]

if you ever have trouble removing a loctited screw heat with soldering iron or soak in pure alchohol overnight

 

[BackToThePast]

Hey thanks guys. I used blue locktite throughout on my last three builds. This is the first itme I'm using aluminum cases, and tubes. I just didn't want to attach them permanently!

 

[JimmyG]

When I was a small engine mechanic, I used to fix permagreen ride on sprayers. There was a pulley that was made of aluminum, but the set screw was steel. Blue or red loctite never worked. Across the street from us, there was a fastener place that had a open house/barbecue day. They had a Loctite rep there, I asked him what was going on. He said, they have a special Loctite for different metal types. Since different metals heat up and cool down at different rates, it causes the regular Loctite not to work properly. It would actually break down.

So there is a special Loctite, and don't ask me what the number was, I cant remember that far back. I also remember, when I bought it, it wasn't cheap!

 

[MelvinsArmy]

I use blue loctite on my aluminum parts, it works great.

DO NOT use loctite anywhere near plastic parts. It will destroy them. Whatever chemicals are in loctite it makes the plastic extremely brittle. I learned that the hard way years ago with my Juggernaut 2 when I got back into the hobby, I destroyed the upper chassis just putting it together. If you're securing screws and nuts through a plastic part use Tamiya thread lock, it is safe to use around plastic.

 

[BackToThePast]

If you're securing screws and nuts through a plastic part use Tamiya thread lock, it is safe to use around plastic.

I just looked up the Tamiya lock tite. It actually says this in the description

"ITEM DETAILS:
This is Thread Locking Compound from Tamiya. Must be used on metal or steel items, not plastic."

I can't find it again, but one description even went so far as to say that it would "melt plastic"

I'm not trying to be a jerk. I just thought you might like to know :tmb

I ordered some anyway, as it looks easier to apply than the stuff I use now, with the tube extension Tamiya has on the tube.

 

[Mo']

The biggest issues with removable threadlock becoming permanent it usually over use. You only need a tiny drop on the threads to do the trick. I have seen people soak the entire thread body of the screw in the stuff and it can make it near impossible to remove.



The soldering iron tip Will posted is my favorite. Works like a charm every time as long as there isnt any plastic nearby.

 

[MelvinsArmy]

I just looked up the Tamiya lock tite. It actually says this in the description

"ITEM DETAILS:
This is Thread Locking Compound from Tamiya. Must be used on metal or steel items, not plastic."

I can't find it again, but one description even went so far as to say that it would "melt plastic"

I'm not trying to be a jerk. I just thought you might like to know :tmb

I ordered some anyway, as it looks easier to apply than the stuff I use now, with the tube extension Tamiya has on the tube.

Your'e not being a jerk at all. :tmb

Definitely don't use it to secure plastic parts, either to other plastic parts or metal parts. Only metal parts to metal parts. Say you have something where two plastic pieces are held together by a screw and a non-nylock nut. You can put a little dab of the Tamiya threadlock on the end of your screw onces it's on the other side and tighten down your nut. I've had some of the Tamiya threadlock touch plastic with no problems. If you did it with Loctite you'd definitely have an area of the plastic that would become super brittle and break. The Loctite is liquid-like and runs all over everything. The Tamiya stuff is more like toothpaste and goes only where you put it. Hopefully that all makes sense.

 

[JKRacing37]

Will loctite help two different metals from galvanizing to each other, like a steel bolt in aluminum?

 

[BackToThePast]

The Tamiya stuff is more like toothpaste and goes only where you put it.

In that case, I'm REALLY glad that I ordered it! It'll be easier to not over apply if it's the consistancy of toothpaste.

 

[vwhed1979]

tamiya loctite

Tamiya blue loctite is NOT safe for some plastic. I used it on the small screws and nuts that hold the stock clod body parts on, and it melted the plastic. Those stupid little bolts end up coming out anyway from vibration.

I think the different types of plastic are more resistant to loctite, like the plastic in the txt axles. A quick test is to take leftover pieces from the parts trees and dab some loctite on it. See if it makes it soft. I do like the tamiya loctite, since it stays thick and rubbery, instead of hard and dry like the blue 242 loctite.

It is all safe for aluminum, so don't worry about that. Heat will remove it very easily, and it doesn't take much either.

 

[dirt20]

Will loctite help two different metals from galvanizing to each other, like a steel bolt in aluminum?

I know in the automotive world I've used antisieze or neversieze for sparkplugs and bolts.

 

[JKRacing37]

I know in the automotive world I've used antisieze or neversieze for sparkplugs and bolts.

I've used water proof grease with good results but I'm just curious on an application where you need a threadlock compound but also are worried about galvanizing.

 

[Pungohboy]

I have used red lock tight on plastic with no ill results i needed something and didnt have CA i usually use a tiny dab of CA glue if its metal screw into plastic like on my slash the screw that holds the shocks on always use to back out.

Until now i have never heard that it hurts plastic. Im not saying it isn't true, actually im glad i read it i will refrain from future use just in case.

 

[ClodMonster]

I've used red loctite on the rotor head bolts of the nitro helicopter that I have as it is strongly recomended that you do, and yes it does not hurt the plastic in anyway on the heli. Loctite was used everywhere on my heli because theirs allot of moving parts that could come loose and cause hundreds of dollars in damage.

 

[MelvinsArmy]

Hmm, I guess different types of threadlock react differently to different types of plastic. Smart idea vwhed1979, about testing them out on the parts trees.