Does threadlocker go bad?
- Thread starter vavavroom
- Start date
- Status
It separates...get a new one.
We buy a lot of Loctite products at work, and the average shelf life is two years on most of it. I have two new bottles of 243 on my desk with a 06/22 expiration.
Yes, in manufacturing we were required to date tag it coming in, and stop using it after the due date.
It may go bad if it is left opened, but I have several bottles that were unopened from work that are 10 years old. The one I opened this past summer worked just fine after shaking it up.
Did you shake it good?
"According to Loctite’s manufacturer, Henkel, Loctite (loctiteproducts.com) does go bad. The technical data sheets of both thread-locker 271 (red) and 242 (blue) say that the shelf life of each is 24 months unopened, or 12 months once the tube is opened. This assumes storage at 46-82 degrees F. (Loctite should never be frozen.)"
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2026
Shake it good. Too much money to throw away lol.
I also used to work in an automotive manufacturing environment. We used several types of Loctite and date codes were noted and strictly adhered to. We trashed a lot of it every year due to the product reaching the expiration date before it was all consumed.
Why would you not want to follow the manufacturer's recommendation ? I'll tell you what, if an ISO or TS auditor observed expired Loctite on the manufacturing floor, you would get dinged for it.
Some recent real world experience: I had a tube of blue Loctite that had been opened and was several years old. I used some to lock a couple of screws on a rifle scope mount and when testing them a few days later, found that the screws came out with no resistance at all. The Loctite failed and yes the screws and threaded holes were properly cleaned and degreased prior to application.
Why would you not want to follow the manufacturer's recommendation ? I'll tell you what, if an ISO or TS auditor observed expired Loctite on the manufacturing floor, you would get dinged for it.
Some recent real world experience: I had a tube of blue Loctite that had been opened and was several years old. I used some to lock a couple of screws on a rifle scope mount and when testing them a few days later, found that the screws came out with no resistance at all. The Loctite failed and yes the screws and threaded holes were properly cleaned and degreased prior to application.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2026
I honestly had no idea it could go bad. I’ve had mine for about a year and the stuff is expensive I’ll see if I can find a code on it and see. I’ve used tubes at school when I was there that were years old never had issues.
Can confirm, audit forms have a line-item check for materials with expiration dates. (Source: am auditor, engineer)
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2026
I just picked up some new thread locker at Harbor Freight wonder how good it works 
. Guess we will find out when I use it. I couldn’t believe how much the price has went up of the Loctite and Permatex branded ones.
. Guess we will find out when I use it. I couldn’t believe how much the price has went up of the Loctite and Permatex branded ones.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2026
I’ve got some from the 1970s that stuff dried up like crazy lol. My neighbor gave it to me with the toolbox he gave me.
If you leave the caps on it should be fine... ?
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2026
Lol the caps were on I had to take pliers and get them off the stuff was as dry as a bone.
- Status
