Proper use of loctite

[Fork]

Blue loctite doesn't seem to be working well for me lately. I've attempted to use to it to keep 1911 grips on and keep a red dot scope mount on a Ruger Mark III. Both the grip an the scope mount have loosen after maybe 100 rounds. I thought I didn't use enough the first time so I made sure all the threads where coated the second time around for each but got the same result. I would think the blue loctite would work fine in the application I'm using. I primary use Balisol to clean and lube my guns. I have the following theories of why blue loctite is not working well.

• Perhaps Balisol interacts with loctite causing it to break down?
• My stick of Blue loctite is a few years old, its been capped the entire time, is it still good?
• Sould I use brake parts cleaner to clean my screw threads of Balisol/Oil before applying loctite?

I wanted to see if anyone had comments before I resorted to some something stupid like using red loctite or crazy glue. I'm looking for solutions that are not permanent.

 

[g.willikers]

Yes, definitely clean all the parts that you want to adhere to one another.
Alcohol, acetone, whatever really gets the oils, solvents and dirt off.
And don't handle the parts any more than necessary, as our body oils interfere with adhesives, too.
There are stronger versions of locktite if all else fails.
Sometimes I use the red, knowing it will be harder to undo, though.

 

[tuj]

blue locktite is what you want to use (the red stuff is super strong).

I use guntite which is blue locktite. If you are having trouble with the 1911 grips, you can look for an extended bushing which will give the screws a bit more purchase and surface area to work with.

As for the 22, you should NOT be having problems with the red dot on it. I have usually only rarely needed to locktite a 22lr part (namely barrel shroud on a IZH-35m).

Do you have a torque screwdriver?? This can be useful to see if you are tightening properly.

 

[WardenWolf]

Try using purple Loctite. It's less brittle and may hold up better.

 

[matrem]

Yep, brake parts cleaner or anything to remove oils.
Loctite can't work if there's an oil barrier.

I've not used "purple", but 242 "blue" has worked well for me. Holds well and a soldering iron easily removes it.

 

[F-111 John]

Try the liquid instead of the stick. It works better on small screws. The stick is usually for larger bolts.

 

[rcmodel]

All of the above, almost.

Use a pipe cleaner and alcohol to clean the threads.

After it evaporates, use Blue lock tight.


1911 Grip screw bushings are a whole nother matter.
They should be properly staked in the frame to keep them from unscrewing.

And they should be filed for length to fit the grip counter-sinks so the screw heads do not contact them when the screws are fully tight.

The screws should bottom out tight in the grips.
NOT with the heads fully tight against the top of the bushings.

To do so insures they will become galled, and lock together tighter then the frame to bushing thread staking can withstand.

99.9 % of grip bushing problems are caused by the bushing being taller then the bottoms of the grip screw counter-sinks!

rc

 

[MikeJackmin]

Alcohol. Keep acetone away from grips and painted finishes.

 

[Chip1wa]

I'm an ex-Loctite factory rep.

Clean the threads with a residue free cleaner degreaser and let evaporate.

I like the liquids over the sticks for small screws and bolts-like those you'd find on guns.

Remember, we're trying to completely fill the airspace between the male and female thread root..we're talking enough product to fill a 70% airspace. For the stuff to work properly, threads have to be cleaned and enough product must be used.

Chip

 

[stu1ritter]

Loctite also makes a primer and a cleaner/primer that work very well. I was a Mercedes-Benz mechanic for 30 years and we used Loctite all the time, in many forms. Clean the threads with lacquer thinner, both male and female if you can. I always used the Clean&Prime aerosol. Blue Loctite might be used for a mount rail but it is too strong for ring screws. You should use purple on any bolt less than 1/4" in diameter that you wish to eventually remove. Blue would also be fine for the grip bushings on a 1911 but not the grip screws. Might I direct you to http://tinyurl.com/q4nyjt8 which will explain the 4 colors of Loctite and where/how they should be used.
Stu

 

[rskent]

You might want to try Vibra-tight. Unlike loctite, you put it on the screws and let it dry.
Then assemble. It works somewhat like a nylon lock-nut.