What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

High Cs

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
37
It's come to my attention from reading these posts and a few other places that Teflon tape has no place on a boat. Could someone explain why this is?
 

Bondo

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70,465
Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

Ayuh,...

1 of the reasons is that many sensors are grounded thru where you'd use it...
With a full plastic shield between the sensor,+ ground,...
It won't work...

By getting used to using a Paste type of thread sealant,...
It's never an Issue...
 

JIGGER

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
36
Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

Only 4 uses for it! Natural gas,propane,air and water. I use the aviation stuff. Great for hydralics and motor parts!
 

meesh

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 24, 2008
Messages
256
Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

My experiance has been tape leaks abot 50% of the time. Paste never leaks.
 

Don S

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Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

Teflon Tape csuses more leaks than it cures. Plus if installed improperly will cause cracked housings, and teflon tape where it shouldn't be. Newbe's seem to think teflon tape is the ONLY thing to use on fittings. But it was developed to use on gas fittings that can't stand oil products.

Teflon tape is ranked right up there with duct tape and a swiss army knife. Jack of all trades, master of none.
 

High Cs

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
37
Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

Thanks, nice to know the real scoop. Being the contractor guy I am, using lots of air tools etc., we've always used tape. I really appreciate all of the valuable info. that everone has on this site. I'll ditch the tape out of my boat tool box.
 

billbayliner

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 30, 2006
Messages
553
Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

My experiance has been tape leaks abot 50% of the time. Paste never leaks

Then you are not wrapping it right or putting too much tape on!

But it was developed to use on gas fittings that can't stand oil products.

Don, no disrespect, as you have helped me huge over the last 5 years, but you are absolutely wrong with this statement. It was developed for the opposite and was years before the approval came to use on gas and even then there was only some approved and it was also color coded.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with T-tape (excluding the issues of grounding). I personally will use a pipe dope and not t-tape on small fittings.

If I decide to use t-tape on a small fitting, it will be a thin t-tape designed for smaller diameter fittings.

Most of the problems come from people not rolling the tape opposite the threads and also wrapping too much tape on fittings.

This statement comes from 23 years of using Teflon tape on fittings from 1/8 inch all the way to 4 inch fittings made from all types of metals and plastics.
 

chiefalen

Captain
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
3,598
Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

You not using tape on airplanes.

Cause if you were you would be looking for a new job.

With paste you just got to get it on the threads and it spreads itself.

And then you know "you did it right".
 

JustJason

Vice Admiral
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Aug 27, 2007
Messages
5,319
Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

I always say..... use whatever product makes you feel better about yourself....... just don't come to me lookin for reassurances :)
 

Bondo

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Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

Most of the problems come from people not rolling the tape opposite the threads and also wrapping too much tape on fittings.

Ayuh,....

So,..... Using that statement right there,....

I guess you could say that the Paste is Fool-Proof...

You Can't apply Too Much,+ Direction Don't matter....;)
 

MikDee

Banned
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Jun 6, 2007
Messages
4,745
Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

Being a retired pipefitter, I've used teflon tape sucessfully for years quite a bit, on all types of fittings, for WOG (water, oil,& gas). It's not a "cure all", but it has it's uses. I was taught 2 wraps in the direction of the thread is sufficient, and that's usually worked fine for me. It also makes for ease of removal, when, if, & where needed. Generally, if you have a good thread, you really don't need anything on it. I've also used Permatex teflon pipe dope (a lquid marshmellow consistency), or blue aviation sealer. The standard for years in the industry was, and is still used, is black Permatex pipe sealant (that you usually end up wearing :rolleyes: and is murder to get off :eek:) it all depends on the application.
 

chiefalen

Captain
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
3,598
Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

My friend is a plumber he used that black stuff. Its good for other things as well.

If your gonna do plastick pipe nothing beats it, but it's expensive.
 

8x56mn

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
124
Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

Biggest problem with using TT is when you have to take the fitting apart, you often if not always get shreds of tape that can and do migrate down stream causing bigger problems. Never use this stuff on air lines. On large fittings we often use two wraps of TT and then apply dope onto the TT. This makes even the old connections easy to back off.
 

a70eliminator

Captain
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
3,688
Re: What's the scoop on Teflon tape?

I find it amusing to find tef tape on flare and compression fittings.
 
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