Locktite vs vibratite

Timfoilhat

Timfoilhat

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My Primary Arms GLx 2x prism came with a mount that allowed you to set the height by installing one of three different risers. The riser is held in place by a single screw. I pulled out the rifle today and noted the screw had loosened enough to get a bit of wobble. I pulled it apart and noted the blue locktite was still is the threads of the screw, so it surprised me that it came loose after a few hundred shots of 5.56.
I reassembled with a gob of vibra-tite. Screw seemed to have more resistance putting it back in. Do you think it's going to rattle loose again? I really hate using red locktite.
 
As mentioned above, locktite doesn’t work unless everything’s degreased.
 
Degrease, loctite and proper torque and you shouldn't have any issue from the fasteners. As a mechanic/tech for 40 years, I hadn't heard of Vibra-tite. It appears it's a loctite copy.
From their website, "Vibra-Tite materials can be compared to other name brand products, but at a COST SAVING OF UP TO 40%." https://www.vibra-tite.com
 
Get Off My Lawn said:
Degrease, loctite and proper torque and you shouldn't have any issue from the fasteners. As a mechanic/tech for 40 years, I hadn't heard of Vibra-tite. It appears it's a loctite copy.
From their website, "Vibra-Tite materials can be compared to other name brand products, but at a COST SAVING OF UP TO 40%." https://www.vibra-tite.com
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I guess I just assumed that it was purple locktite. The stuff that's a step lower than blue locktite.

The degrease advise is probably where this went wrong. I did not do that, and I know better.
 
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Hmmm...if blue loctite loosened, you've got other issues going on.

Either the threads weren't clean or they're HORRIBLY loose fitting.

There are a ton of loctite products, each for specific uses. I used one at work, can't remember the specific requirement, but it was black and might as well have resulted in the joint being welded. I saved the bottle because "I might need this again". Should've just tossed it, because I was never able to remove the cap again, even with pliers.

Small screws (< 1/4 inch) get purple loctite to start with. Blue, if something stronger is needed. NEVER red. There's a problem being covered up if red is needed for small screws.

I've never used vibra-tite, but they're the same order of thread locker (in function and strength) and indeed use the same color coding as loctite. My opinion is that if it works as advertised, and it works for you, then have at it.
 
RetiredUSNChief said:
Hmmm...if blue loctite loosened, you've got other issues going on.

Either the threads weren't clean or they're HORRIBLY loose fitting.

There are a ton of loctite products, each for specific uses. I used one at work, can't remember the specific requirement, but it was black and might as well have resulted in the joint being welded. I saved the bottle because "I might need this again". Should've just tossed it, because I was never able to remove the cap again, even with pliers.

Small screws (< 1/4 inch) get purple loctite to start with. Blue, if something stronger is needed. NEVER red. There's a problem being covered up if red is needed for small screws.

I've never used vibra-tite, but they're the same order of thread locker (in function and strength) and indeed use the same color coding as loctite. My opinion is that if it works as advertised, and it works for you, then have at it.
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Chinese optic with Chinese mount using Chinese metal hardware. I dig the optic. It's a reasonably priced Acog alternative for a reasonably priced rifle that sees more dark and dust in my gun closet than range time. I think some of the US mount manufacturers have caught on that the Chinese optic mounts leave something to be desired on otherwise decent enough products and have started producing quality replacement mounts. If I ever find that I use this rifle more than I do currently I'd invest. For now, the vibra-tite solution is going to be utilized until proven inadequate for my use.
 
I started using Vibra-tite years ago on bolts and nuts that were in locations known for causing them to work loose. Loc tite worked ok, the Vibra Tite worked well even when I did a poor job prepping the surface. Ny office no longer allows mw a choice in what I use, so Loc-tite it is. Yes prepping the items is of the utmost importance as well as correct torque for devices.
 
Loctite advertises, or used to, an oil tolerant version. I tried it and it failed. I’ll wet the m/f threads with brake cleaner/acetone/lawyer thinner, dry with an air gun before applying.
I really like loctite 290, warning- it’s adhesive and thin as water. It’ll easily creep into moving parts and lock them up. I apply with a small amount on the end of a pick or pocket screwdriver.
 
Timfoilhat said:
For now, the [insert method here] solution is going to be utilized until proven inadequate for my use.
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This is the High-falutinist way of saying "if it ain't broke..." that I have ever read. I'm totally stealin' it.
Get Off My Lawn said:
I’ll wet the m/f threads with brake cleaner/acetone/lawyer thinner,
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Where do I get me some Lawyer Thinner? Asking for a friend.
heavydoc said:
No thread locker works better than a cross thread!
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Pay attention, folks - this man's a pro!

Back on topic: I learned to clean, clean, and clean, then apply the goo. And apply thinly, at that. One word (okay, sentence) of caution: the words "blue locktite" don't necessarily mean the same to the Schlomo Depot, Slowe's or Arse Hardware employee as they do to you. There is a Loctite product with a blue cap and blue-y packaging that is cyano-acrylate, aka Krazy - glue.*



------------------------------
*No. I read the package.
 
Just use red, it’ll be fine. If it’s a mount that I don’t plan on having to take off often (like an RMR to change the batter) I use red loctite. Never had an issue.
 
Derek8404 said:
Just use red, it’ll be fine. If it’s a mount that I don’t plan on having to take off often (like an RMR to change the batter) I use red loctite. Never had an issue.
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Unless a torch can be used to loosen it, I wouldn't do that. I've had grade 8 5/8" dia bolts (socket size 15/16") break because the red Loctite held. Those bolts are to be torqued to 240 ft/lbs.
 
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I haven’t had great luck with vibratite. It dries into a sort of rubber cement consistency m. If you get it slathered on too thick or don’t allow it to cure for the right amount of time it sort of gets pushed out to the threads as you screw it in. I went back to blue loctite and haven’t had any issues.
 
LeeMajors said:
I use nail polish. Always have. Never had an issue of things coming loose.
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THIS!!! ^^^^^^^^

Don't use Locktite on those optics micro threads........


A $1.00 bottle of Dollar General white fingernail polish and a small bottle of fingernail polish remover is all you need.

Clean the threads with the FPR and let dry. Apply a small dab of the white polish to the threads, assemble, and let dry. The fasteners will NOT come loose. If you need to remove the fasteners, use a q tip to dab some FPR on the fastener... Let it sit for about 30 seconds and simply unscrew the fastener.
 
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Hashknife said:
THIS!!! ^^^^^^^^

Don't use Locktite on those optics micro threads........


A $1.00 bottle of Dollar General white fingernail polish and a small bottle of fingernail polish remover is all you need.

Clean the threads with the FPR and let dry. Apply a small dab of the white polish to the threads, assemble, and let dry. The fasteners will NOT come loose. If you need to remove the fasteners, use a q tip to dab some FPR on the fastener... Let it sit for about 30 seconds and simply unscrew the fastener.
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I've used it from 1 inch bolts on a combine to screws on eyeglasses.
 
Timfoilhat said:
I'll just raid my wife's collection of nail polish going forward. Love the idea of solvent to remove a screw vs heat.
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Use white or red if you can... Its easy to see during assembly.
Dont use polish if it has sparkles/metal flake in it..

FPR is basically acetone... It works great.
It will dissolve the polish in the threads in less than 1 minute. The fastener will come out easily.

Heating a micro thread assembly is just crazy..
 
Never heard of vibratite but blue loctite has held most of my rattling Harley together for years, I’ve never used it when mounting optics and never had one come loose. My dad did mount a scope on my first .22 using red loctite. We had to shim the bottom ring to get a little more elevation and had to use longer screws so he put red loctite on them. I didn’t know any better at 11 years old and had to cut the rings off after I learned about decent glass and wanted to swap the scope.
 
LeeMajors said:
I use nail polish. Always have. Never had an issue of things coming loose.
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Bro,
My daughter had some nail polish that was glitter. I used it to lock in some ADM screws on a AR mount.

Few years later that optic was planned to move to a bolt gun.

Glitter inside the thread pitch is nasty. It took alot of work, too much work to remove the screws.

I support any nail polish, trust me and stay away from the glitter stuff.
 
I use blue loctite on pretty much every attatchment on my rifle that has a screw. If your LPVO ring mount isn't holding the optic, I've got a buddy who uses liquid tape, and coats the inside of the rings if you can't get the rings tight enough. Just a little bit of loctite goes a long way to keeping your stuff tight and not wobbly.

I mean if you plan to use attatchments interchangeably, a little bit of loctite is enough to withstand recoil, but easy enough to unscrew and reapply as needed.
 
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