The Ultimate Loctite Guide: When & Where to use it

Today in the shop we are looking at threadlock. Dave will be reviewing the different colors and the holding strength that each posses and identify examples of where to use each on your muscle car, truck or daily driver.
🔩 *Welcome to First Place Auto Parts!* Today, we're diving into the world of threadlock products and understanding which color and strength are suitable for your automotive projects.
🧐 *Understanding Threadlock Colors:*
Threadlock is an anaerobic adhesive crucial for preventing bolts from loosening due to factors like heat and vibration. The primary threadlock colors are red, blue, green, and orange.
1. *Red Threadlock:*
- *Strength:* High
- *Use:* Heavy-duty or high-vibration applications.
- *Removability:* Requires heat and special tools for disassembly.
- *Applications:* Cylinder block bolts, ring gear bolts, transmission stud bolts.
2. *Blue Threadlock:*
- *Strength:* Medium
- *Use:* Prevents loosening due to vibration.
- *Removability:* Bolts can be removed with hand tools.
- *Applications:* Driveshaft U-joint bolts, various mounting bolts.
3. *Orange Threadlock:*
- *Strength:* Hybrid formula, similar to red strength with blue's removability.
- *Use:* For bolts that need strength but future removal.
- *Applications:* Flywheel bolts, transmission mounting bolts, case half bolts.
4. *Green Threadlock:*
- *Strength:* Light duty, penetrating grade.
- *Use:* Applied after assembly, penetrates gaps in assembled parts.
- *Applications:* Number 2 to half-inch bolts.
🚨 *Important Note:*
Remember, the color of the threadlock refers to the product inside, not the bottle's color. Packaging can be deceiving, so always check the label.
🛠️ *Choosing the Right Threadlock:*
- *Red for Permanent Joints:* For heavy-duty applications where bolts need to stay in place semi-permanently.
- *Blue for Medium Strength:* Ideal for parts that may need to be disassembled in the future.
- *Orange for Strength and Removability:* A hybrid for bolts that require strength but future removal.
- *Green for Light Duty and Post-Assembly:* Use it after assembly for a penetrating effect.
👍 *Conclusion:*
Understanding the strengths and applications of each threadlock color ensures you choose the right one for your specific project, maintaining the integrity of your automotive assemblies.
🚗 *Explore More:*
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[@michaellemonier8405]

Saved my from myself. I had Loctite that was probably ten years old. Never would have known why it did not work if not for your video. Thank you!

[@FirstPlaceAutoParts]

Thank you for your comments Michael! Good luck on your project and glad to be of help

[@DanDan-fu6sd]

I just bought the orange and wasn't sure if i bought the right product. Thanks for the info.

[@haileyriely1712]

Thanks right to the point love it

[@Idontknowmaybejohnsmith]

Cool vid, very informative. I just started using thread lock on suspension parts. Glad I decided against red and orange.

[@FirstPlaceAutoParts]

Glad I could help

[@21daytona502]

For caliper bolts blue? When removed the 2014 Camaro had yellow but I can not find that.

[@Bulletz4Breakfast13]

If you want to easily remove Loctite Red 263/268 Threadlocker WITHOUT HEAT, all you have to do is spray Chlorinated brake cleaner on the threads until it oenetrates into the bolt threads. The Chlorinated brake cleaner dissolves Red Threadlockers in under 4 hours. You can thank me later! ▪︎ Alternatively you can use Orange 25210 by Permatex which is a high strength threadlocker like Loctite 263 Red but it's hand tool removable like Loctite Blue 242/243/248. Permatex "Orange 25210" has 3X the strength as Loctite Blue 242.

[@FirstPlaceAutoParts]

We will thank you now! Appreciate the tip

[@h8GW]

Just curious on whether a 600+ ft-lb impact gun will remove a fitting with red threadlock without heat or chemicals before the bolt fails.

[@Bulletz4Breakfast13]

@@h8GW loctite advises against impacting red lockers without heating the bolts to 500°F or using chemicals to reduce the torque needed to 130ft-lbs. It may be fine but I'd just use the chlorinated brake cleaner and use a breaker bar or impact after. Or torch the bolt to 500°

[@tzgardner]

I've seen some applications that use some sort of orange adhesive on the outside of the nuts and bolts. Seems like more of a goo instead of a liquid by the way it hardens and covers the outside. Any idea what that may be?

[@geckoproductions4128]

Is green thread lock the same as green cylinder sleeve retainer?

[@5jjt]

Is heat needed to remove green thread lock?

[@rhandro]

Which one to use on a tire stud.

[@bitTorrenter]

You'd think they'd choose a neutral colour for the bottles. Like White, with a specific colour band.

[@FirstPlaceAutoParts]

Your soo right and great point! Maybe if the makers of thread lock products looked at their products like the consumer does, they would understand the challenges a user faces.

[@permatexvideos]

​@@FirstPlaceAutoParts Great video! Glad to see our new Permatex Orange Threadlockers. Over the last few years, we've been changing all of our bottles to match the color of the formula. Previously, Permatex had all blue bottles, and Loctite had all Red, we're here to change that and make it easier for the consumer to identify the right formula for their application.

[@permatexvideos]

Great thought, We're on the same page. Over the last year we've began to change all our threadlocker tubes to match the formula. Making it easy to select the correct formula when you have all Permatex Threadlockers. Previously, Permatex has always had blue bottles, and Loctite has always had red, we're here to change that.

[@chrisstokley7687]

thumbs -up.. tyvm.. i know most of what i came for :>)...

[@mrsemifixit]

Does it matter if you use the same thread lock for different size bolts? For example using blue on a 1” diameter bolt where it’s commonly only used up to 3/4”

[@Bob_Adkins]

I doubt even Loctite knows that They're very secretive with their products.🤔

[@jacktoddy9783]

An excellent demonstration that I found really useful explaining the applications for Loctite - Thank you. However, I was thinking, would Mary Shelley have used the Blue Type for the nut and bolt securing the head of Frankenstein's monster to his torso: "Adam of your labours" or "Deucalion"; depending how you consider the literary reference to the monster's creation. Let's face it, if Loctite is good enough for Dr Frankenstein, then it is good enough for securing my nuts.

[@keithcook158]

Can red lock tight be "re-torqued" after initial application?

[@FirstPlaceAutoParts]

It can NOT be retorqued after initial application

[@jccars9400]

What thread lock for control arm bolts and strut bolts?

[@QuackZack]

If you have very sturdy hand or power tools and a bit of elbow grease, orange will be nearly as strong as red without needing heat to remove. If you're scared of stripping bolts or breaking tools, blue has a decent amount of strength and removes nearly as easily as a naked bolt.

[@tyronevonchadley]

No love for purple?

[@plankton199]

I love purple!

[@31acruz]

Why not match the packaging to the color of the contents geniuses??

[@its.Andy1]

Yeah I think it’s all a hoax. Used red loctite on a bolt that goes on my exhaust manifold to hold my turbo and came loose right away. Even after tightening it and letting it cure for more than 24 hours.

[@FirstPlaceAutoParts]

Not sure of the temp range of the mounting surface where your turbo and manifold met but its possible it met or exceeded the point that red lock tight is rated. Focused, high heat is required to break Red Loctite's bond. It may have been the wrong product for the application

[@BidenAKAP3D0Peter]

Use ProSeal red if you want a threadlocker that will stay strong at high heat.

[@cplinstructor]

Would you please fix the damned music, I can’t hear you over it