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Crazer · 30-04-2015, 11:25

I just bought Sta-Lok terminals to re-rig my boat and they came with some anonymous gray lubricant on the threads. It seems to clean up (painstakingly) with acetone but I'm wondering if it's necessary to remove it. All the instructions I've seen for assembling the terminals indicate that the correct procedure is to lubricate with Loctite and then seal with Life Calk or similar. Presumably all for nought if there's already a lubricating substance on the threads. Has anyone encountered this discrepency and how did they handle it?

leftbrainstuff · 30-04-2015, 11:38

It sounds like anti seize. Dont mix loctite and anti seize. Pick one. We use loctite for final assembly. Ill often use anti seize if im doing trial assemblies.

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Crazer · 30-04-2015, 14:29

I think I'll go with Loctite. I e-mailed Sta-Lok so we'll see what they say but since everyone seems to use Loctite I feel good about that.

belizesailor · 30-04-2015, 15:32

Never seen them come pre-coated with anything. Would make me suspicious they had been used before. Were they sold as new?

Crazer · 30-04-2015, 15:35

They were new from Rigging Only so no question they are from the factory.

belizesailor · 30-04-2015, 16:05

Have you asked them about this?

Crazer · 30-04-2015, 16:12

No, I was awaiting a reply from Sta-Lok. The bags were sealed, no sign of them being tampered with so I can only assume this is something new. Just like me to be the first!

Although it is sort of academic since the solution is clear.

**roverhi** · 30-04-2015, 16:15

The terminal threads can gall if not lubricated. Probably an anti-seize lubricant to be sure they don't. It will have the opposite effect as LocTite so might be a good idea to remove if using LocTite.

Maine Sail · 30-04-2015, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by roverhi

The terminal threads can gall if not lubricated. Probably an anti-seize lubricant to be sure they don't. It will have the opposite effect as LocTite so might be a good idea to remove if using LocTite.

+1 !!! I've had one gall just dry fitting it when installing a furler... $65.00 down the tube... The worst part is I knew they were prone to this and thought I could get away with just forming the wires & then do a finally assembly....D'oh......

belizesailor · 30-04-2015, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

+1 !!! I've had one gall just dry fitting it when installing a furler... $65.00 down the tube... The worst part is I knew they were prone to this and thought I could get away with just forming the wires & then do a finally assembly....D'oh......

True, but have you ever received a brand new one pre-coated with antisieze?

Maine Sail · 30-04-2015, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by belizesailor

True, but have you ever received a brand new one pre-coated with antisieze?

No they have always shipped clean. Course they could have had too many complaints of galling then began applying a lube?

belizesailor · 30-04-2015, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

No they have always shipped clean. Course they could have had too many complaints of galling then began applying a lube?

No a bad idea, but think they would/should indicate that if they did.

Toaster · 30-04-2015, 19:10

Check out the latest Practical Sailor and look at Brion Toss's article. He mentions that it is important to fill the fitting with something like 3M 4000, and that this is not typically in the instructions that come with the fitting.

Brion writes:
"This prevents the intrusion of both air and water, so that the
terminal will not suffer from either crevice corrosion,
oxidation, or chloride corrosion."

I suspect that Locktite in this case is just another anti-seize, anti-gall, anti-corrosion (take your pick) application. I use it, but I suspect Loctite's biggest benefit is that it makes me feel safer than an anti-seize goop because I imagine the anti-seize goop might come undone.

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