Radiator tails…what do you use ?

[shd1970]

I’m about to fit some more new Stelrad radiators
Fitted the first one a few weeks ago and used loctite 55 on the thread…about 6 turns
No leaks but it was seriously tight

However this got me thinking….the radiator companies always say don’t over tighten the tails so could the loctite be too much and would ptfe be better ?

What do you all use for tails…ptfe, loctite, water hawk, or a mix and match ??

TIA

 

[Madrab]

Done to death - you'll get lots of answers.

I use gas PTFE tape as that's what I carry all the time

 

[gas112]

gas ptfe is by far the best to use

 

[denso13]

Normal or gas ptfe

 

[shd1970]

Thanks for all the quick replies @Madrab @gas112 @denso13

Is loctite seen as too thick then ?

 

[Exedon]

Loctite 55 never had a rad tail leak using it.

 

[dilalio]

20 wraps of normal ptfe.

I'm stuck in my ways sometimes.
I should just use gas ptfe but I'd have to test how many wraps and I never seem to have enough bloody time for anything!

 

[bernardgreen]

I must be extremely lucky in that the 4 radiators that I installed 13 years ago without tape had only one weepy joint. A slight tighten stopped the weep. In fact non of the other plumbing work has leaked. Vented system so low pressure

 

[RandomGrinch]

I must be extremely lucky in that the 4 radiators that I installed 13 years ago without tape had only one weepy joint

If I had done that with the last rad I installed, the supplied tail would have ended up dropping off, inside the rad!

 

[Madrab]

I should just use gas ptfe but I'd have to test how many wraps and I never seem to have enough bloody time for anything!

6-7 - is just about right

 

[Madrab]

Is loctite seen as too thick then ?

Not at all, just a different way to do it. Some say it's better to roughen up the threads with cord too for a better take.