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Tips for Lubricating Threads

Antiseize compound has many uses for boaters

Boaters know the pain of neglecting to lubricate threads better than many people. Grease can work to ensure that removal is easy after exposure to water and salt, but dedicated anti-seize compounds work better. Most grease is designed for use as a lubricant on moving parts.

Apply anti-seize compound.
Here, Star brite Anti-Seize Thread Lubricant is being applied to a garboard drain plug prior to launching this boat for the season. Without the compound, removal in the fall can be difficult. Trailer lug nuts, spark plugs and any stainless-steel fasteners are candidates for anti-seize Kevin Falvey

Anti-seize compounds are generally petroleum grease with graphite and aluminum, copper or other metal added and designed to prevent threads from corroding and sticking. ( The Star brite Anti-Seize Thread Lubricant shown contains molybdenum)

Anti-seize also prevents, or at least inhibits, galling–which is a form of cold welding that can occur, often with stainless steel fasteners. If you’ve ever had a stainless-steel nut thread half-way on and then freeze up and stop cold, you know what galling is.

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Consider adding anti-seize thread coating to your boating tool kit.

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