Sta-Lok / Tef-Gel ,inspection and repair

[Manateeman]

Greetings all. I had an interesting conversation with a rigger who has considerable experience with larger yachts. He uses Tef-Gel for the former and wedge and Loctite on just the threads.
Comments?
Please describe your experiences with sealants, wedges and formers.
I’ve seen a lot of wedges rusted and pitted including those installed with a variety of sealants. Removing a rusted or glued in place former becomes a battle as the former is thin in the middle and difficult to grab.
Heat, picks, easy outs, taps...I use a custom tool with a sliding weight . Sort of an old reform school ignition popper. Ask not.
The former is difficult to polish in place. Clearly it looks like it should rotate during assembly but Sta-Lok in England suggested replacing the entire fitting if one has difficulty removing the former. They dodge the sealant question. The gentleman simply said that they do not use sealants in England.
Comments?
Kind regards to all, Mark the manatee.

[slug]

Dont know sta locks , all the boats I work with are rod

With rod you always bed the head and collet in tefgel

On the threads You might consider a thread locked with telflon to prevent thread galling

[thereefgeek]

I prefer Hayn Hi-Mod fittings because the cones and crowns are reusable. Sta-Lok recommends they be replaced when you open them up for inspection. Spoke with an engineer at Hayn regarding their Hi-Mod fittings and he specifically say not to add sealant, only Loc-Tite Red on the threads.
Stainless needs to breathe, and no sealant on the planet is going to keep moisture from wicking down those twisted little wires and getting inside the fitting, never again able to escape. Kind of like chainplates passing through decks. Everything always looks great except for the part you can't see.