Bubble Gum Pink Sealant Mystery Solved ?

[jamesgibby]

As a general update, this stuff is great, suction on the piston is awesome and no leaks anywhere!

 

i am ordering a second batch

[siamackz]

Won't 100% silicone grease do the job (not oil, but the thicker grease)? It won't interfere with the ink, and should take care of any leaks. No? I just bought my first 149 and 146 and I know that the 149's nib will need to disassembled and cleaned and checked for cracks when I get it. So, I wanted to check with more experienced members real quick. Thanks!

[Ron Z]

 

 

It won't interfere with the ink, and should take care of any leaks. No?

 

No.

 

Silicone grease is a lubricant, not a sealant. The purpose of a sealant is to fill the gap in the threads. Silicone grease doesn't stay in place and doesn't seal. Any advantage you may get is limited to the hydrophobic properties of the silicone grease. The silicone rubber compound forms a gasket-in-place, and the rosin stuff fills the gap.

 

To properly seal threads without having to over tighten you need a thread sealant, either the two part silicone rubber stuff or a rosin based sealant. Do you think that pen manufacturers would spend the money on a silicone rubber sealant or a rosin sealant if they could get away with a cheaper product? Even a penny saved over a gazillion pens adds up very quickly.

[siamackz]

 

No.

 

Silicone grease is a lubricant, not a sealant. The purpose of a sealant is to fill the gap in the threads. Silicone grease doesn't stay in place and doesn't seal. Any advantage you may get is limited to the hydrophobic properties of the silicone grease. The silicone rubber compound forms a gasket-in-place, and the rosin stuff fills the gap.

 

To properly seal threads without having to over tighten you need a thread sealant, either the two part silicone rubber stuff or a rosin based sealant. Do you think that pen manufacturers would spend the money on a silicone rubber sealant or a rosin sealant if they could get away with a cheaper product? Even a penny saved over a gazillion pens adds up very quickly.

As always, thank you for the education! What is the correct stuff then, and where can I find it? Thanks again!

[Ron Z]

I don't know where the OP got the rubber stuff he used (haven't looked back in the thread), nor do I know what is available in other countries. Don't use ordinary RTV silicone - that IS an adhesive. What you need is a silicone compound with a low shear (and therefore adhesive) strength/properties so that it will peel off of the parts as you remove the section.