The exhaust bolt that came out clean last year is the one that snaps flush with the head this year, and the difference is usually a dab of paste that was never applied.
Most engine work fails at reassembly, not at disassembly. A fastener that went in dry, or with the wrong compound on it, corrodes in place and turns a simple job into drilling, tapping, and a tow.
This guide compares four verified anti-seize compounds for engine work, on the figures their makers publish, and matches each one to the fasteners it actually suits.
The 30-second answer
For general engine work, the Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant. For exhaust studs and spark plugs in aluminium heads, the Permatex Copper Anti-Seize 09128. For copper-based work up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, the Loctite LB 8008 C5-A. For stainless steel and the hottest exhaust hardware, the Loctite LB 771 Nickel Anti-Seize.
How we researched this guide
We compared 7 anti-seize compounds, checked 4 maker technical data sheets and safety data sheets, reviewed owner discussion on garage and motorcycle forums, and excluded 3 products whose identity could not be verified from listing data or whose temperature figures were not published by the maker.
Quick picks
Best Overall
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant
The general-purpose blend for spark plugs, head bolts and brake hardware, with a brush built into the cap.
Best for Exhaust Studs
Permatex Copper Anti-Seize 09128
A copper formula to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, built for exhaust studs, spark plugs in aluminium heads and sensors.
Best Copper Specialist
Loctite LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant
Henkel copper and graphite formula in a 1 lb can, for mixed metals up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best for Extreme Heat
Loctite LB 771 Nickel Anti-Seize
A nickel formula to 2400 degrees Fahrenheit for stainless steel, titanium and the hottest exhaust hardware.
Quick compare
| Pick | Headline | Best for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant | Blend, 8 oz brush-top, to 1600 F | General engine work | Check Price |
| Permatex Copper Anti-Seize 09128 | Copper, 8 oz brush-top, to 1800 F | Exhaust studs and plugs | Check Price |
| Loctite LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant | Copper and graphite, 1 lb can, to 1800 F | Mixed metals and marine | Check Price |
| Loctite LB 771 Nickel Anti-Seize | Nickel, 16 oz brush-top, to 2400 F | Stainless and extreme heat | Check Price |
Match an anti-seize compound to your fastener, your heat and your metal
Match an anti-seize compound to your fastener, your heat and your metal
Step 1 — Main fastener job?
Step 2 — How hot does it get?
Step 3 — What matters most?
Pick your fastener job first. The picker then narrows by heat and by what matters most to you, and your matching compound appears here with its buying button.
How to choose an anti-seize compound for engine work
1. Match the base metal to the fastener
Copper compounds suit steel and aluminium fasteners and conduct electricity, which helps spark plug threads and sensors. Nickel compounds suit stainless steel, titanium and nickel alloys, and belong where copper contamination must be avoided. Aluminium-graphite blends suit general work. Pick the base first, then the temperature.
2. Read the temperature range, not the label
Makers publish a service range, and the honest range is the one in the technical data sheet. A compound rated to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit is not the same as one rated to 2400, and exhaust hardware lives at the top of the range. Buy the range your hottest fastener actually sees.
3. Torque changes when threads are lubricated
Anti-seize lowers friction, so the same torque wrench setting produces more clamping force than on a dry thread. Makers and forum mechanics agree the setting must be reduced, typically by about a fifth, and critical joints need the lubricated torque figure from the manual. Never guess this on a head bolt.
4. Brush-top bottles beat tubes on big jobs
A brush built into the cap puts a thin, even coat on threads without dipping fingers into paste. Tubes and sticks suit a single spark plug or a roadside repair. For a full exhaust job, the brush-top bottle is faster and cleaner.
5. Never use anti-seize on wheel studs
Permatex states plainly that its anti-seize products are not recommended on wheel studs. A lubricated wheel stud can be over-torqued and stretched, and the failure mode is a wheel coming loose. Keep anti-seize off wheel hardware entirely.
6. Check the oxygen sensor and plug guidance
Some modern spark plugs carry a factory coating and the plug maker says to install them dry. Copper anti-seize is the usual choice for uncoated plugs in aluminium heads, but only where the plug maker allows it. Read the plug box before the paste tube.
Anti-seize compounds by budget
All four picks are workshop consumables, so the split below is about what the formula buys, not about spending more than the job needs.
| Tier | What you get | Example pick |
|---|---|---|
| Workshop value | A general blend for spark plugs, brake anchor pins and everyday bolts | Permatex 80078 |
| Heat step-up | A copper formula for exhaust studs and aluminium heads | Permatex Copper 09128 |
| Copper specialist | A copper and graphite formula for mixed metals to 1800 degrees | Loctite LB 8008 C5-A |
| Extreme heat | A nickel formula for stainless steel and the hottest hardware | Loctite LB 771 Nickel |
Types of anti-seize compound in this guide
| Type | Suits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium, copper and graphite blend | General engine work and spark plugs | Lower ceiling than nickel formulas |
| Copper based | Exhaust studs, sensors and aluminium heads | Avoid where copper contamination is a problem |
| Nickel based | Stainless steel, titanium and extreme heat | Costs more and needs care on ferrous joints |
| Stick and tube formats | Single plugs and roadside repairs | Slow and messy on a full exhaust job |
More reading from WinchInsider: Top Heavy Duty Bottle Jacks for Trucks, Best Work Boots Under 100, Best Overlanding Tool Kits, Best Car Alarm Systems Under 200, Crimping Tools Price, Best ATV Winch, Best Jump Starter with Tire Inflator, Best Car Accessories Under 100.
Detailed reviews: every pick, on maker evidence
Each block below sticks to what the maker documents in its technical data sheet and what owners report in their own words. Where a maker does not publish a figure, the block says so rather than filling the gap.
Best Overall: Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant
Best Overall
Why the Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant is our pick
The 80078 earns the top spot because it is the compound most engine work actually needs: a refined blend of aluminium, copper and graphite lubricants in an 8-ounce brush-top bottle, rated by its maker from minus 60 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit. That range covers spark plugs, cylinder head bolts, exhaust head bolts and brake anchor pins, which is most of what an engine owner touches. The brush in the cap is the practical reason it wins over tubes and sticks: it puts a thin, even coat on the threads without dipping fingers into paste, and the bottle lasts through many jobs. It is salt, corrosion and moisture resistant, and the non-aerosol version meets Mil Spec 907E, which is why it also turns up in marine use. It is not the hottest compound here, and it does not pretend to be. It wins by being the right paste for the most fasteners.
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant key specs
- Brand: Permatex
- Model: 80078
- Size: 8 oz brush-top bottle
- Base: Aluminium, copper and graphite blend
- Temperature range: -60F to 1600F
- Form: Silver metallic paste
- Specific gravity: 1.13
- Flash point: Over 350F
- Mil spec: Mil Spec 907E, non-aerosol
- UPC: 686226800787
- Warranty: Not published
- Part number: 80078
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant: fits and best for
Engine owners doing routine maintenance: spark plug changes, head and exhaust bolt work, brake anchor pins, u-bolts and spring bolts. It suits a home garage shelf and a professional toolbox alike, and it is the bottle to reach for when the job is general rather than extreme.
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant pros and watch-outs
- Brush-top bottle applies a thin, even coat quickly
- Wide temperature range covers most engine fasteners
- Salt, corrosion and moisture resistant for marine use
- Meets Mil Spec 907E in the non-aerosol version
- One bottle covers many jobs, so it lasts
- Lower ceiling than copper and nickel formulas
- Not the pick for the hottest exhaust studs
- Paste stains skin and clothing permanently
- Needs a reduced torque figure on lubricated threads
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant: what owners report
Owners in garage discussion describe the 80078 as the standard shop bottle they reach for on almost everything, and report fasteners coming apart cleanly after long service intervals.
The recurring note is about the blend itself: forum users comparing safety data sheets point out the copper content is small, so buyers wanting a true copper formula should step up to the 09128.
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant: who should not buy
Do not buy it for the hottest exhaust studs on a turbocharged engine, or for stainless steel joints where copper contamination must be avoided. Its ceiling is 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, and the nickel pick exists for the hardware that runs hotter.
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant: pair it with
Pair it with a wire brush and a can of brake cleaner, so the threads are bare metal before the paste goes on.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Brush the threads, then wipe the bottle neck before you cap it, or dried paste will glue the brush to the bottle. Best LED Work Lights Under 50
Best for Exhaust Studs: Permatex Copper Anti-Seize 09128
Best for Exhaust Studs
Why the Permatex Copper Anti-Seize 09128 is our pick
The 09128 is the pick for the fasteners that run hot enough to defeat a general blend. Its maker describes it as a premium copper anti-seize with a high percentage of micro-fine copper flakes in a semi-synthetic grease carrier, fortified with rust and corrosion inhibitors, and rates it from minus 30 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. That ceiling is what exhaust manifold bolts and engine bolts need, and the copper base also gives good electrical conductivity, which matters on spark plug threads in aluminium heads, oxygen sensors and knock sensors. The 8-ounce brush-top bottle matches the 80078 for ease of use, so a full exhaust job goes quickly. Forum mechanics single it out for stainless fasteners threaded into soft metals like aluminium, where its copper and graphite agents do the work. It is the copper specialist of this guide, and it earns that title on its maker’s own figures.
Permatex Copper Anti-Seize 09128 key specs
- Brand: Permatex
- Model: 09128
- Size: 8 oz brush-top bottle
- Base: Micro-fine copper flakes in semi-synthetic grease
- Temperature range: -30F to 1800F
- Form: Copper metallic paste
- Specific gravity: 1.2
- Flash point: 300F
- Mil spec: Mil Spec A-907E
- Conductivity: Good electrical conductivity
- Warranty: Not published
- Part number: 09128
Permatex Copper Anti-Seize 09128: fits and best for
Owners of engines with aluminium heads, exhaust work, and sensor threads. It suits spark plug threads in aluminium, exhaust manifold bolts, engine bolts, oxygen sensors, knock sensors and thermostat housing bolts, and it is the bottle for anyone who has snapped an exhaust stud before.
Permatex Copper Anti-Seize 09128 pros and watch-outs
- 1800 degree ceiling suits exhaust hardware
- Good electrical conductivity for plugs and sensors
- Brush-top bottle for fast, even application
- Meets Mil Spec A-907E
- Recommended for stainless into aluminium
- Avoid where copper contamination must be avoided
- Not the hottest formula here; nickel goes higher
- Paste stains skin and clothing
- Needs a reduced torque figure on lubricated threads
Permatex Copper Anti-Seize 09128: what owners report
Owners in garage discussion report using the copper formula for almost everything on the engine without thinking much about it, and praise how exhaust studs come out after years in place.
The recurring guidance from the same discussion is to use it on spark plugs in aluminium heads and on exhaust studs that thread into aluminium, where owners say it is the most recommended choice.
Permatex Copper Anti-Seize 09128: who should not buy
Do not buy it where copper contamination must be avoided, such as some stainless steel and titanium joints, or where the service manual calls for a nickel formula. The nickel pick in this guide exists for exactly those joints.
Permatex Copper Anti-Seize 09128: pair it with
Pair it with a thread chaser for the exhaust stud holes, so the new paste goes onto clean threads instead of carbon.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Put the paste on the stud threads only, and keep it off the sensor tip, or the sensor will read the paste instead of the exhaust. Best Replacement Mirrors Under 30
Best Copper Specialist: Loctite LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant
Best Copper Specialist
Why the Loctite LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant is our pick
The LB 8008 C5-A is the industrial copper formula of this guide, and its maker, Henkel, documents it more thoroughly than any other pick here. The technical data sheet describes a colloidal copper and petroleum grease that shields mated parts against high-temperature seizing and galling, with an operating range of minus 29 to 982 degrees Celsius, and a torque coefficient of 0.16 on steel nuts and bolts, which is the figure a careful mechanic needs when setting torque on a lubricated thread. It works on copper, brass, cast iron, steel, all alloys including stainless steel, all plastics and non-metallic gasketing, which is why it turns up in petroleum, steel mill, power plant, marine and foundry maintenance. The 1 lb can suits a workshop that uses paste every day rather than once a season. It is not a small tube for a single plug, and it does not pretend to be. It is the bulk copper pick for mixed-metal engine work.
Loctite LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant key specs
- Brand: Loctite (Henkel)
- Model: LB 8008 C5-A, part 51006
- Size: 1 lb can
- Base: Colloidal copper and petroleum grease with graphite
- Temperature range: -20F to 1800F
- Torque coefficient: k 0.16 on steel nuts and bolts
- Specific gravity: 1.2 to 1.4
- Solids content: 40 percent
- Mil spec: MIL-PRF-907
- Form: Copper paste
- Warranty: Not published
- Part number: 51006
Loctite LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant: fits and best for
Workshops and owners who maintain mixed-metal engines: steel, stainless, brass and cast iron in the same machine. It suits fleet and plant maintenance, marine engines, and anyone who wants a published torque coefficient for setting torque on lubricated threads.
Loctite LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant pros and watch-outs
- Published torque coefficient for accurate torque settings
- Works on almost every metal including stainless steel
- 1 lb can suits frequent workshop use
- Meets MIL-PRF-907
- Proven in marine and industrial service
- Can is bulkier than a brush-top bottle
- Not recommended in pure oxygen or chlorine systems
- Needs storage between 8 and 21 degrees Celsius
- Overkill for a single spark plug change
Loctite LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant: what owners report
Owners in industrial discussion value the published torque coefficient, because it lets them set torque properly on lubricated threads instead of guessing the reduction.
The recurring note is that the can format suits a workshop shelf, while a home owner doing one plug change will finish the job with most of the can still full.
Loctite LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant: who should not buy
Do not buy it if you only change spark plugs once a year, or if your work involves pure oxygen systems or chlorine, where the maker says not to use it. A brush-top bottle is the better buy for occasional use.
Loctite LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant: pair it with
Pair it with a dedicated acid brush for the can, since the 1 lb can has no built-in brush, and keep a lid on it between jobs.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Write the date you opened the can on the lid, and check the paste still spreads smoothly before each use. Best Performance Monitors Under 100
Best for Extreme Heat: Loctite LB 771 Nickel Anti-Seize
Best for Extreme Heat
Why the Loctite LB 771 Nickel Anti-Seize is our pick
The LB 771 is the pick for the fasteners that run hotter than copper can handle. Its maker rates it to 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 600 degrees beyond the copper formulas in this guide, and the nickel base is the reason: nickel, graphite and mineral oil in a heavy-duty paste that protects threaded fasteners from heat, freezing, seizure and galling at temperatures where copper gives up. It is recommended where copper contamination must be avoided, and with stainless steel, titanium and nickel alloys, which is exactly the hardware found on turbocharged exhausts and high-performance manifolds. Forum owners who compared all three Permatex types reached the same conclusion: nickel has the highest temperature resistance, copper is next, and aluminium is last. The 16-ounce brush-top bottle makes it practical for a full exhaust job rather than a laboratory curiosity. It costs more than the general blends, and it should, because it is the only pick here that survives the hottest hardware.
Loctite LB 771 Nickel Anti-Seize key specs
- Brand: Loctite (Henkel)
- Model: LB 771, part 77164
- Size: 16 oz brush-top bottle
- Base: Mineral oil, nickel, graphite
- Temperature range: -65F to 2400F
- Form: Grey paste
- Specific gravity: 1.1
- Flash point: 200F
- Mil spec: MIL-PRF-907E
- Copper content: Copper-free
- Warranty: Not published
- Part number: 77164
Loctite LB 771 Nickel Anti-Seize: fits and best for
Owners of turbocharged and high-performance engines, and anyone working stainless steel, titanium or nickel alloy fasteners. It suits exhaust manifold bolts, exhaust system bolts, muffler clamps and tailpipe assemblies that see the highest temperatures in the vehicle.
Loctite LB 771 Nickel Anti-Seize pros and watch-outs
- Highest ceiling here at 2400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Copper-free for stainless steel and titanium
- Brush-top bottle for a full exhaust job
- Meets MIL-PRF-907E
- Protects against heat, freezing, seizure and galling
- Costs more than general blends
- Maker notes it should not be used with some ferrous connections
- Flash point is lower than copper formulas
- Overkill for routine spark plug work
Loctite LB 771 Nickel Anti-Seize: what owners report
Owners in motorcycle forum discussion report nickel as the best option for exhaust nuts, because its temperature resistance is the highest of the three common types.
The recurring note is a question, not a complaint: owners ask why not use nickel for everything, and the answer is that copper is cheaper and conducts better where heat is lower, so nickel is for the hot end of the job.
Loctite LB 771 Nickel Anti-Seize: who should not buy
Do not buy it for routine spark plug changes on a cool-running engine, or where the manual calls for a copper formula for conductivity. Its virtue is extreme heat, and on a mild job that virtue is wasted.
Loctite LB 771 Nickel Anti-Seize: pair it with
Pair it with a torque wrench and the service manual figure for lubricated threads, because the hottest fasteners are also the ones that snap when over-torqued.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Do a single exhaust stud first and check the torque feel, before you paste the whole manifold. Best Portable Work Lights Under 50
Spec comparison
| Spec | 80078 | Copper 09128 | LB 8008 C5-A | LB 771 Nickel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Aluminium, copper, graphite | Copper flakes | Copper and graphite | Nickel and graphite |
| Top temperature | 1600 F | 1800 F | 1800 F | 2400 F |
| Low temperature | -60 F | -30 F | -20 F | -65 F |
| Size | 8 oz brush-top | 8 oz brush-top | 1 lb can | 16 oz brush-top |
| Mil spec | 907E | A-907E | MIL-PRF-907 | MIL-PRF-907E |
| Conductivity | Not published | Good | Not published | Not published |
| Torque coefficient | Not published | Not published | k 0.16 | Not published |
| Best for | General engine work | Exhaust studs | Mixed metals | Stainless, extreme heat |
| Buy | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Installation and application basics
Clean the threads first. Anti-seize over rust, old threadlocker or carbon is a paste sandwich, not a lubricant. Wire-brush the male and female threads, blow them out, and wipe them dry before you apply anything.
Apply a thin, even coat to the male threads only, and keep it off the plug electrode, the insulator tip and any sealing face. A little paste goes a long way, and excess squeezes into places it should never reach, including sensor threads and combustion chambers.
Reduce the torque setting. A lubricated thread needs less torque for the same clamp load, and the usual guidance is to reduce the dry figure by about a fifth, then confirm against the manual for the joint. On head bolts and other critical fasteners, use the lubricated figure from the service manual, never a guess.
Related how-to reading: How to Wire a Winch, Best Winch Battery, Top Best Engine Flush Products for Cars.
Safety essentials
- Wear gloves and eye protection. Anti-seize paste stains skin and clothing permanently and irritates eyes, so treat it like paint, not hand cream.
- Keep paste off oxygen sensors, catalytic converters and plug electrodes. Contamination there causes false readings and misfires that are expensive to chase.
- Never use anti-seize on wheel studs or wheel nuts. A lubricated wheel fastener can be over-torqued and fail, and makers warn against it directly.
- Work on a cold engine. Exhaust hardware and plugs must be cool before you touch them, and a hot manifold will burn through a glove.
- Store paste below 28 degrees Celsius in a cool, dry place with the cap tight. Dried paste does not spread evenly and should be replaced.
- Wash hands before eating or touching your face, and keep paste away from children and pets.
The safest anti-seize job is the one where the torque figure came from the manual, not from memory. Read the service manual for your exact engine, not for a similar one. If the work is on a vehicle in the field, keep a recovery kit with you:
WARN Epic Snatch Block: a snatch block that doubles line pull on a recovery job.
GearAmerica Tree Saver Strap: a tree saver strap for a safe anchor point.
AMBULL Shackles: rated shackles for connecting straps and rope.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bolt still seizes after anti-seize | Paste applied over rust or carbon, or wrong base for the metals | Clean threads to bare metal and match the base to the fastener metals |
| Plug misfires after fitting | Paste on the electrode or insulator tip | Fit a new plug clean and dry, or with paste on the threads only |
| Torque wrench reading feels wrong | Lubricated thread over-torqued to the dry figure | Reduce torque by about a fifth and check the manual figure |
| Paste dries out in the bottle | Cap left loose or stored in heat | Store capped below 28 degrees Celsius and replace dried paste |
| Exhaust stud snaps on removal | Compound rated below the heat the stud actually saw | Use a nickel formula on the hottest studs and soak the joint first |
| Staining on hands and clothes | Paste handled without gloves | Wear nitrile gloves and wipe tools before they touch paintwork |
Who should NOT buy these
Do not buy copper anti-seize for stainless steel joints where copper contamination is a problem. The nickel formula exists for exactly that case, and the copper one can cause galvanic trouble. Read the Best Heavy Equipment Degreaser guide for cleaning the joint first.
Do not buy anti-seize as a substitute for a torque wrench. Paste changes friction, it does not remove the need for a correct torque figure, and a guessed setting on a head bolt is a repair bill waiting to happen.
Do not buy a single tube for a full exhaust job. You will run out halfway through, and a half-pasted exhaust is worse than a dry one because the next person assumes it was protected. Buy the brush-top bottle for big jobs.
Final verdict
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant: The general engine pick: the blend, the brush bottle and the range cover most fasteners.
Permatex Copper Anti-Seize 09128: The exhaust pick: copper, conductivity and an 1800 degree ceiling for studs and plugs.
Loctite LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant: The copper specialist: a published torque figure and a 1 lb can for mixed-metal workshops.
Loctite LB 771 Nickel Anti-Seize: The extreme heat pick: nickel to 2400 degrees for stainless steel and the hottest hardware.
FAQ
What is the best anti-seize compound for engine bolts?
The Permatex 80078 is the pick for most engine bolts, because its aluminium, copper and graphite blend covers spark plugs, head bolts and brake hardware from minus 60 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, and its brush-top bottle applies a thin, even coat. For hotter exhaust hardware, step up to a copper or nickel formula.
Is copper anti-seize safe for spark plugs?
Yes, on uncoated plugs where the plug maker allows it, and copper anti-seize is the usual choice for spark plug threads in aluminium heads because it conducts electricity and resists seizing. Modern pre-coated plugs from makers such as NGK and Denso are often installed dry, so read the plug box first.
What is the difference between copper and nickel anti-seize?
Copper anti-seize works to about 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and conducts electricity, which suits plugs and sensors. Nickel anti-seize works to about 2400 degrees Fahrenheit and is copper-free, which suits stainless steel, titanium and joints where copper contamination must be avoided. See also: Best Portable Work Lights Under 30.
Do I need to reduce torque when using anti-seize?
Yes. Anti-seize lowers thread friction, so the same torque setting produces more clamping force than on a dry thread. The common guidance is to reduce the dry figure by about a fifth, and critical joints need the lubricated torque figure from the service manual.
Can I use anti-seize on wheel studs?
No. Permatex states that its anti-seize products are not recommended on wheel studs. A lubricated wheel stud can be over-torqued and stretched, and the failure mode is a wheel coming loose, so keep anti-seize off wheel hardware entirely.
What temperature can anti-seize handle?
It depends on the base. The general blend in this guide is rated to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, the copper formulas to 1800 degrees, and the nickel formula to 2400 degrees. Buy the range your hottest fastener actually sees, using the maker’s technical data sheet, not the label. See also: How to Wire a Winch to a Truck Battery.
Is anti-seize the same as threadlocker?
No. Anti-seize prevents seizing and galling so a fastener can be removed later, while threadlocker locks a fastener in place so it does not vibrate loose. They do opposite jobs, and using one where the other belongs causes failures.
How do I apply anti-seize correctly?
Clean the threads to bare metal first, then apply a thin, even coat to the male threads only, keeping it off the plug electrode, the insulator tip and any sealing face. Reduce the torque setting, assemble, and wipe away excess before it reaches a sensor.
Does anti-seize expire?
Paste dries out if the cap is left loose or the bottle is stored in heat, and dried paste does not spread evenly. Store it capped in a cool, dry place below 28 degrees Celsius, and replace any bottle whose paste has gone stiff or gritty.
Sources
- Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize listing data (ASIN B000FW7VGE)
- Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize listing data (ASIN B000HBM8HU)
- Loctite 51006 C5-A Anti-Seize manual record (ASIN B001HW6QBW)
- Loctite 77164 Nickel Anti-Seize manual record (ASIN B004HMHVSQ)
- Permatex 80078 safety data sheet (maker document)
- Permatex 09128 Copper safety data sheet (maker document)
- Loctite C5-A technical data sheet (Henkel)
- Permatex Copper Anti-Seize technical data sheet
- Garage Journal owner discussion on anti-seize types
- BMW MOA forum discussion on nickel versus copper anti-seize
- Permatex anti-seize tech tips (OReilly document)
By Leo, Founder, WinchInsider
Leo researches winches and automotive accessories from maker documents and real owner reports, and writes guides that name what is verified and what is not.
Related guides
- Top Best Engine Flush Products for Cars
- Best Engine Flush Products for Gas Engines
- Best Heavy Equipment Degreaser
- Best Automotive Borescope for Mechanics
- Best Adjustable Torque Wrench
- Best Shop Vac Under 60
Our top pick: Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant