Installing new metal skin fittings and valves

[Ripster]

Going to be replacing all the BWL skin fittings, valves and tails this year as they are plated brass and thus substandard for the Sea. I am just debating which sealants to use (boring I know!). I have always used Sika 291i for the metal to glass seal on the hull and have also used it for the metal to metal threads too in the past - and its worked. But, on doing a little research, it seems that Loctite 577 is more suited for the metal to metal thread seal. Then of course there is good ol' PTFE tape, which I would probably tend to use on other less critical AWL thread seals. What do others do??

 

[VicMallows]

I will not enter the discussion regarding best skin-fitting to hull sealant.

However for the thread-to thread it is worth considering that you might in future want to replace the valve without disturbing the skin fitting. In this case PTFE tape is likely to be the best choice. (it has proved quite satisfactory for me over 30 years and allowed easy change of the valves twice).

 

[salar]

I use ptfe tape on metal to metal threads and it has been fine. You will need to replace or service the valves at some point so you don't want something that locks them up or leaves threads difficult to clean. For skin fittings I have used good old Sikaflex or one of many cheaper alternatives that does the same job.