STP as Breech Plug thread lube

[SCLoyalist]

I had cause to unbreech a 40+ year old flinter a few days ago.  Am about ready to reassemble, but my tube of TC Anti-seize seems to have gone dry on me.   Other threads on the forum refer to STP as a suitable thread lube.  Is that STP Oil Additive or STP Motor Treatement, or one of the other STP products?    Thanks, SCL

[Hungry Horse]

 if STP worked all that well, they wouldn't sell anti-seze now would they? I use a nickel based high heat anti-seze, and have had no problems removing anything I use it on.

      Hungry Horse

[P.W.Berkuta]

I had cause to unbreech a 40+ year old flinter a few days ago.  Am about ready to reassemble, but my tube of TC Anti-seize seems to have gone dry on me.   Other threads on the forum refer to STP as a suitable thread lube.  Is that STP Oil Additive or STP Motor Treatement, or one of the other STP products?    Thanks, SCL

Add a little of that STP to the dried TC Anti-seize and you may have the best of both worlds !

[One Eye]

if STP worked all that well, they wouldn't sell anti-seze now would they? I use a nickel based high heat anti-seze, and have had no problems removing anything I use it on.

      Hungry Horse

Horse, would you please tell me what you use?
Thanks,
One Eye

[bob in the woods]

I have used white lithium grease for years, without any problems. Also use it on the threads of the nipple on my under hammer target rifle.

[SCLoyalist]

I have used white lithium grease for years,

Thanks for the suggestion, Bob.

[Daryl]

If you want to use a product that is designed as an anti-seize solution, Yamaha sells one.

[longcruise]

The anti sieze sold for spark plugs works good on nipples.  Might be useful on a breech plug as well.

[Gene Carrell]

I use the nickel-based antisieze sold in auto supply stores. Works great.

[One Eye]

Thanks Gene. The stuff I have is copper based and very old.
One Eye

[Dave R]

I used regular silver anti seize for years however it seemed to crawl to the joint where the barrel meets the top of the tang and mess up my browning, Now I use teflon tape and no mess at this joint and probably seals better when i clean the barrel!

[Dave R]

Anyone else use teflon tape on the breech plug??? What are your thoughts??

[Dphariss]

I had cause to unbreech a 40+ year old flinter a few days ago.  Am about ready to reassemble, but my tube of TC Anti-seize seems to have gone dry on me.   Other threads on the forum refer to STP as a suitable thread lube.  Is that STP Oil Additive or STP Motor Treatement, or one of the other STP products?    Thanks, SCL

I use the ORIGINAL STP (blue bottle) for fitting breech plugs and fitting barrels on brass suppository guns.
Its a zinc compound used in motor oil to prevent metal to metal contact. IE a form of Extreme Pressure lube.
Dan

[Dphariss]

if STP worked all that well, they wouldn't sell anti-seze now would they? I use a nickel based high heat anti-seze, and have had no problems removing anything I use it on.

      Hungry Horse

Anti-seize is used for different purposes. I use STP cause its easier to clean up and works really well.
Dan

[T*O*F]

Its a zinc compound used in motor oil to prevent metal to metal contact. IE a form of Extreme Pressure lube.

You are only partially correct.  It is an extreme pressure lubricant.  It is not a zinc compound, but it does contain a zinc additive and also modifies the film strength of motor oil.  STP was developed for use in highly modified engines that had high lift cams and heavy valve spring pressures.  Older motor oils once contained the zinc compound, but it has been omitted in modern oils.  The reason is that auto manufacturers went to roller cams, which all modern cars have, that greatly reduced the torsional friction of those related parts and it is no longer required.  Thus the zinc additive was no longer required.  Shortly thereafter, flat tappet vehicles started experiencing early camshaft and lifter failures and additives were developed for these cars.  When I tore into my 80 Pontiac, it had 5 worn lobes.  I have to use a can of STP with every oil change now.

Anyway, using STP on an existing breechplug will probably result in turning it past the index mark when re-installing it unless great care is taken.  While it's probably OK to use when initially installing a breechplug, it's not an anti-seize and should not be used as such.  You could end up with a loose breechplug.