How Do you clean off old Locktite

[lperagallo]

OK, so I crash enough to have just about pulled out every bolt that I have added locktite to. How on earth do you get the old locktite off teh bolts. I have tried alcohol, lacquer thinner and acetone. No luck! What do you use. Is it really necessary to clean the bolts before adding more locktite??

[Gyan]

I never clean the bolts unless it interferes with the installation, I feel it helps hold it in from coming loose.

[kgfly]

Soak in acetone or burn it off in a flame.

[BarracudaHockey]

Heat works great, I just run the threads with an old exacto and clean off the dust with alcohol.

[tigger28]

I use a worn die of the right thread size.

[Gyan]

Why would you guys clean the threads off of old locktite ? I can see if the grip area has some on it that interferes with the installation but the whole point of locktite is to restrict the bolt from backing out. Any old locktite on the threads will only help the cause and it certainly doesn't imterfere with the new stuff you put on.

[WayneBrown]

Why would you guys clean the threads off of old locktite ? I can see if the grip area has some on it that interferes with the installation but the whole point of locktite is to restrict the bolt from backing out. Any old locktite on the threads will only help the cause and it certainly doesn't imterfere with the new stuff you put on.
not exactly.
Locktight retaining compound is a anerobic chemical, meaning that it works in the absence of air. Old locktite will leave void spaces with trapped air that will prevent the new locktite from curing and being effective, at least in that area.
I clean with heat, followed by a soak in 'goof-off' which is a mixture of acetone, MEK, and another chemical that escapes me at the moment.
It is truely imperative that you remove the old locktite first.
I use a propane torch, set to a low flame and with needlenosed pliers or hemostats, grip the head of the fastener, and wave it through the flame. 400*F will crystalize the compound and it will wash off, it basically turns to powder.. No need to heat the bolt to glowing..just hot will do.

[Gyan]

Thanks for clearing that up Wayne, although I've never had a problem leaving the old locktite on. Please be aware that acetone & especially MEK are REALLY bad for you. DO NOT inhale vapours but protect your hands when working with it, I know MEK damages the liver.

[FBaity]

I use eye protection, Dremel with a wire wheel to remove the old and finish with a thinner wipe down, has worked for me for years.

Frank