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  #1  
Old 02-24-2017, 03:47 PM
Rosco Shooter Rosco Shooter is offline
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Default Red Loc Tite

I applied Red Loc Tite to the bolts that fasten my red dot sight to my M&P C.O.R.E. I'm installing the Apex Trigger and Sear Kit, and need to remove the red dot. I've read that bolts having Red Loc Tite applied should be heated with a soldering iron before attempting to remove them.

Is this the case? I don't want to mangle anything.

Thank you for your time.
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Old 02-24-2017, 03:57 PM
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The soldering iron probably won't work on stubborn screws that were secured with red loctite.

You may need to use the correct size hex key mounted in the screw holes and heat it with a torch until red hot.The hex key will need to be recycled after heating it with a torch.

NEVER USE RED LOCTITE
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Old 02-24-2017, 04:00 PM
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Never say never as in the previous post, but red is a semi permanent installation.
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Old 02-24-2017, 05:07 PM
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Blue Loctite is your friend. It will hold the bolts but can be loosened with normal tools.
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Old 02-24-2017, 05:14 PM
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Good suggestion about using the hex key also polish it and use solder on the key to help transfer heat from the iron to the key. I believe @400degrees will break down the red locktite
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Old 02-24-2017, 05:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ralph7 View Post
Never say never as in the previous post, but red is a semi permanent installation.
There are exceptions to every rule!

NEVER USE RED LOCTITE is one of those exceptions
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Old 02-24-2017, 05:51 PM
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then how would you suggest removing the screw?
I don't think that 400degrees would remove any finish or remove any of the heat treat of the steel used in the sight base or gun.Now plastic i agree ,but i don't think Glocks are valuable collection pieces
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Old 02-24-2017, 06:24 PM
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Get a small bottle of Methylene Chloride. Available on the large auction site. It's supposed to work on loctite.
Be careful and follow label instructions, eye protection is a must.
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Old 02-24-2017, 06:28 PM
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Remove the slide before any heat used. A heat gun(hot air) might be able to be focused on the mount to avoid the optic, I don't know if it could break the red seal though.
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Old 02-24-2017, 07:12 PM
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Standard Loctite 271 (std Red) will loosen at about 165 degrees. The stuff that requires in excess of 400 degrees is a special order high temperature variant that is similar in thickness to Bondo, meaning it's a very thick gritty paste.

So, depending on the sight involved you may be able to heat up the slide in a warm oven and get the screws to loosen. Just make sure you are using a brand spanking new allen wrench because you will need the tip in like new condition. You'll also want to have on some decent leather gloves because a 165 degree slide is hot enough to burn.
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Old 02-24-2017, 07:16 PM
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Also, you may luck out, if you didn't do a great job of degreasing
everything during assembly--they may just pop free for you.
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Old 02-24-2017, 11:47 PM
Rosco Shooter Rosco Shooter is offline
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Thank you for your responses. It appears I may have done it this time. I'll leave a comment on how things turned out.
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Old 02-25-2017, 02:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosco Shooter View Post
Thank you for your responses. It appears I may have done it this time. I'll leave a comment on how things turned out.
Red LT is the DEVIL. Only for Mechanics, in axles and transmissions where it is imperative that cap screws don't move after torqued. Worked on CAT, JD and only used it sparingly. You have to heat area pretty hot to get it to break loose; once set.
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Old 02-25-2017, 08:25 AM
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Not all soldering irons are created equal, nor should they be confused with soldering guns. My Hakko soldering station has the ability to set the desired temp and has interchangeable tips. So comparing it to a $10 Harbor Freight iron is like comparing their screwdrivers to Brownell's gunsmith bits.

The soldering iron works very well to provide steady controllable localized heat. You aren't trying to cremate the Loctite, just soften it to be able to break it's bond, which should happen at around 400 degrees. Here are some things to remember about Red Loctite: It's binding capabilities are dependent on several factors including how well the surfaces were cleaned as well as the amount applied. Like Brylcreem, a little dab will do you and make disassembly much less painful. Red Loctite applied to larger bolts that can be securely gripped with properly fitting six point sockets can usually be dsassembled cold, but on small gun part screws, such mechanical purchase and the ability to add mechanical leverage either isn't available or is ill advised due the slip and breakage factor possibility. Heat transfer rates also vary greatly depending on material. Generally speaking, 400 degrees isn't going to damage anything unless you have surrounding wood, or possibly some anodized finishes. Again, remember the goal here isn't to turn the screw head red, it's merely to apply enough heat to soften the Loctite bond. Apply heat for a ten second interval, then try a properly fitting wrench. Without applying too much force, if it doesn't break free, apply more heat and try again. As stated, the amount of heat needed depends on the amount of Loctite applied, as well as the surface area and prep of that fastener. After breaking the bond free, you need to spend time cleaning out the remaining loctite from the thread surfaces with a small wire brush for the screw and the proper sized tap for the hole.

And in the future, put the red Loctite away for use in your hot rod engines.
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Old 02-28-2017, 04:31 PM
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AS Steve912 indicated, I must not have done a thorough enough job of degreasing. I was able to remove the bolts with very little effort. I guess I lucked out this time.

Thank you for your time everyone.
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Old 02-28-2017, 07:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosco Shooter View Post
AS Steve912 indicated, I must not have done a thorough enough job of degreasing. I was able to remove the bolts with very little effort. I guess I lucked out this time.

Thank you for your time everyone.
It's nice to make mistakes that turn out to be beneficial in the end!
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Old 02-28-2017, 08:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosco Shooter View Post
AS Steve912 indicated, I must not have done a thorough enough job of degreasing. I was able to remove the bolts with very little effort. I guess I lucked out this time.

Thank you for your time everyone.
This time not following the directions .....paid off !
Glad to hear everything worked out .
Gary
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