Engine repairs - threadlockers

Keep searching. Loctite has way more than those two. I use a purple one at work. It's a fairly mild thread locker but it works really well at sealing the threads for pressure gauges on high pressure oxygen cylinders. BTW, you can't go by bottle color alone. You have to reference the three digit number on the bottle.

Also, I find that there are almost no applications in model railroading where thread locker is required.

I don't think I need anything really heavy duty like pressure gauges.  It's just on the gear boxes to keep the nuts from coming loose.  I don't think there's  that much vibration.  But, I don't see anything anywhere that is yellow.

 

Thanks,  Rick

The blue Loctite is too powerful for the small screws on our trains. I use clear fingernail polish. It's easy to find and you can remove the screws if you need to later. It's mostly used on drive rod screws, especially the ones that hold the eccentric crank.

Rick, I have seen red or yellow paint dabs on screws and nuts over the years on small parts. Maybe that is what you see?

Rob

If you want to use a thread locker, use Loctite 222 purple. Low strenght easy removal. I have used it for years.

 

Bill

Thanks guys, appreciate the input.

 

Rick

I use a small amount of tacky wax on the threads.

What is tacky wax?

 

Rick

As Rob indicated, you are probably not looking at a thread locker.  What you are seeing is inspectors lacquer.  when a screw is torques or is a screw that the manufacture wants to know if it has been tampered with, a small dab of a brittle paint is placed so it is apparent if the screw ever turned.  In some applications, if this seal is broken the warranty is invalidated.  There is no reason to renew this seal if you are working on your own trains.

Loctite thread locker can chemically react with some plastics making them brittle.

Check it out here ---->http://www.bestpysanky.com/Bard-s-Tacky-Wax-p/btw-01.htm?gclid=CNq7jriX97UCFcme4AodXCUAoA&gdftrk=gdfV25200_a_7c1563_a_7c6163_a_7cbtw_d_01

I use the purple Loctite for threads, it's the mildest one but works great for stuff like locomotive rods.  I had my Legacy T1 Duplex pole vault off the tracks when one of the rods case loose at a modular show, so now I use this on all the rod screws.

Thanks everyone.  I am converting a 3 rail engine to 2 rail.  When I took the gear boxes apart some of the nuts had a yellow substance and some nuts had a red substance on them.  The rest did not appear to have anything on them.  I'm not sure, now, if I even need anything on  them.  If I do I may just coat the ends of the screws with wax or paint just to keep the nuts from coming off.

 

Thanks all,  Rick

I have not yet tried it but I think Liquid Tape would work. It is available in electrical supplies in big box stores  and is available in red, green, white and black colors.

UGH!  Liquid tape would be much too messy!  I use it for insulation, but putting it on the threads would make a mess, it would squeeze out all over!

I wouldn't use the brush, I would use the tip of a toothpick

I still think it's a bad choice, but I'm sure you'll let us know.

You have more faith in me than I do