The bolt turned a quarter-turn and stopped dead. Heat, rust and time had welded the threads together, and now the choice is a snapped stud or a drilled-out hole — both expensive, both avoidable. A dab of anti-seize on assembly day is the cheapest insurance a fastener ever gets.
The trouble is choosing the paste. Copper runs hotter, blends cover more metals, nickel suits stainless, and every maker prints a temperature range that looks the same until you read both ends. Buy the wrong one and the paste either burns off at exhaust heat or stains the aluminium it was meant to protect.
This guide compares five anti-seize alternatives — Permatex and Loctite copper, blend and bulk formulas — on maker data sheets, listing evidence and owner reports. Three picks carry verified Amazon buttons; two carry a written alternative with a substitute button, because their ASINs could not be verified from public listing data.
The 30-second answer
Buy the Permatex 80078 for the best overall anti-seize: an 8 oz brush-top blend of aluminium, copper and graphite, rated from minus 60 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit and meeting Mil Spec 907E. Buy the Permatex 81343 for a 1 oz tube for spark plugs and small jobs. Buy the Loctite 51006 for a 1 lb can of C5-A copper anti-seize for a busy shop. The Loctite 555336 and Permatex 09128 are strong copper picks whose ASINs could not be verified, so each carries a written alternative with a substitute button below.
How we researched this guide
We profiled 9 anti-seize products, checked 5 maker data sheets and manuals, verified 3 Amazon listings, and reviewed 3 owner-report roundups. Three picks carry verified Amazon buttons and two carry written alternatives; the rest were set aside on size, formula or missing verification.
Quick picks
Best Overall
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top
An 8 oz brush-top blend of aluminium, copper and graphite, rated from minus 60 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, meeting Mil Spec 907E and suited to marine use.
Best Small Tube
Permatex 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 oz Tube
A 1 oz tube of the same aluminium-copper-graphite blend, rated from minus 60 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, for spark plugs, cylinder heads and exhaust bolts.
Best Bulk Can
Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can
A 1 lb can of Loctite C5-A copper anti-seize, rated from minus 20 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit with a 0.16 torque coefficient and MIL-PRF-907E qualification.
Best Copper Brush-Top
Loctite 555336 LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top
The classic C5-A copper anti-seize in an 8 oz brush-top bottle, rated from minus 20 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and qualified to MIL-PRF-907E.
This exact model is listed on Amazon, but we could not verify its ASIN from public listing data, so this guide carries no direct buy button for it. The closest verified buy in this guide is the Loctite 51006 1 lb can, below.
Closest verified buy in this guide: Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can
Best for Stainless
Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top
A copper anti-seize made for stainless steel, rated from minus 30 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit with good electrical conductivity, in an 8 oz brush-top bottle.
This exact model is listed on Amazon, but we could not verify its ASIN from public listing data, so this guide carries no direct buy button for it. The closest verified buy in this guide is the Permatex 80078 8 oz brush-top, below.
Closest verified buy in this guide: Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top
Match a pick to your fastener, your size and your habits
Anti-seize calculator — enter your own requirements
Step 1 — What are you protecting?
Step 2 — How much do you need?
Step 3 — What matters most?
Tell the calculator what you are protecting first — a spark plug and an exhaust bolt need different pastes. Add the size you need and what matters most, and your matching pick appears here, with its buying route stated honestly.
Quick compare
| Product | Size | Formula | Temperature | Best for | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top | 8 oz brush-top | Aluminium-copper-graphite | -60 to 1600°F | General fasteners | Check Price |
| Permatex 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 oz Tube | 1 oz tube | Aluminium-copper-graphite | -60 to 1600°F | Spark plugs | Check Price |
| Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can | 1 lb can | Copper and graphite | -20 to 1800°F | Bulk shop work | Check Price |
| Loctite 555336 LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top | 8 oz brush-top | Copper and graphite | -20 to 1800°F | Exhaust and manifolds | No verified Amazon listing — verified buy: Check Price Substitute: Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can |
| Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top | 8 oz brush-top | Copper | -30 to 1800°F | Stainless steel | No verified Amazon listing — verified buy: Check Price Substitute: Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top |
How to choose an anti-seize alternative
1. Read the temperature range, both ends
A paste rated to 1800 degrees at the hot end may still fail at minus 20 in winter, while a blend rated to minus 60 may stop at 1600 degrees at the hot end. The Permatex blend here runs from minus 60 to 1600 degrees; the Loctite C5-A runs from minus 20 to 1800. Read both ends against the joint you are protecting, not just the headline number.
2. Match the metal to the formula
Copper suits steel, cast iron and brass; the Permatex 09128 was designed for stainless steel and similar alloys; and copper can stain aluminium and cause galvanic corrosion on some aluminium parts. Check the formula against every metal in the joint before you buy, and keep copper off bare aluminium.
3. Torque changes when threads are lubricated
A lubricated thread needs less torque than a dry one. The Loctite C5-A torque coefficient is 0.16 lubricated against 0.27 dry on the same bolts, so a dry torque figure over-tightens a lubricated bolt and can snap it. Torque to the maker’s lubricated figure, or reduce the dry figure by the maker’s factor.
4. Brush-top beats a tube for big jobs
A brush-top bottle covers an exhaust manifold in minutes, with an even coat and no waste. A tube doses precisely for a spark plug but runs out fast on a big job. Buy the brush-top for exhaust and manifold work, the tube for plugs, and the 1 lb can for a fleet.
5. Keep it off sensors and oxygen systems
Anti-seize is not for pure oxygen or oxygen-rich systems, and no maker here allows it on chlorine or strong oxidiser service. Keep the paste off oxygen sensor threads and out of the combustion chamber, where excess paste fouls sensors and readings. When in doubt, check the maker’s exclusion list first.
6. A little goes a long way
A thin, even coat on the male threads is all a joint needs. Excess paste squeezes out, collects dirt and ends up where it should not be — on sensors, on gaskets, on the floor. One 8 oz can lasts years in a home garage, and a 1 lb can is a lifetime supply for most shops.
Anti-seize alternatives by budget
| Tier | What you get | Example pick |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | 1 oz tube for spark plugs and a few bolts | Permatex 81343 |
| Mid | 8 oz brush-top for regular shop work | Permatex 80078, Loctite 555336 |
| Bulk | 1 lb can for a fleet or a busy shop | Loctite 51006 |
Types of anti-seize
| Type | Best for | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Copper brush-top | Exhaust bolts, manifolds, spark plugs | Can stain aluminium |
| Aluminium-copper-graphite blend | General fasteners, marine use | 1600 degree ceiling, below copper |
| Nickel or graphite paste | Stainless steel, high heat | Costs more; check the rating |
| Copper tube | Spark plugs and small jobs | Runs out fast on big work |
Detailed reviews: every pick, on maker evidence
Five products follow, in the order we would buy them for protecting fasteners. Every figure comes from the maker’s documents or the Sources below, and three picks carry verified Amazon buttons while two carry written alternatives with substitute buttons.
Best Overall: Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top
Best Overall
Why the Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top is our pick
Because it covers the most jobs with one can. The blend of aluminium, copper and graphite handles spark plugs, cylinder heads and exhaust bolts, resists salt, corrosion and moisture, and meets Mil Spec 907E — and its minus 60 degree cold end beats every copper-only formula here for winter work.
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top key specs
- Size: 8 oz brush-top bottle
- Formula: Aluminium, copper and graphite blend
- Temperature: -60°F to 1600°F
- Resistance: Salt, corrosion and moisture resistant
- Use: Spark plugs, cylinder heads, exhaust bolts, marine use
- Standard: Meets Mil Spec 907E
- UPC: 686226800787
- Application: Brush-top, built-in brush
- Warranty: Per maker listing
- Buying channel: Verified Amazon listing, ASIN B002YLBBHY
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top: fits and best for
Best for general shop work — the one can that covers spark plugs, exhaust bolts and marine fittings. For the engine bay, our multimeter guide covers proving a sensor fault before you blame the threads.
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Widest cold range here, down to minus 60 degrees
- Brush-top covers big jobs fast
- Meets Mil Spec 907E
- Marine use rated
Watch-outs
- 1600 degree ceiling is below the copper picks
- Brush can dry out if the lid is left loose
- Blend formula is not pure copper for exhaust heat
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top: what owners report
- No owner reports broken out by can are in the sources captured: the owner-facing sources are roundups, and none of them tests this can by name.
- The listing data records a refined blend of aluminium, copper and graphite, minus 60 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit intermittent, salt, corrosion and moisture resistance, marine use and Mil Spec 907E, under UPC 686226800787.
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top: who should not buy
Skip it if your work runs past 1600 degrees — the copper picks below run to 1800. Skip it if you need a pure copper formula for a specific maker spec; this is a blend. And skip it if you only do one plug change a year; the 1 oz tube below is the cheaper buy.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Tip: Brush a thin coat on the male threads only, and wipe the excess — a little goes a long way. Our borescope guide covers looking inside a plug hole before you pull a seized plug.
Best Small Tube: Permatex 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 oz Tube
Best Small Tube
Why the Permatex 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 oz Tube is our pick
Because a tube is the right size for a plug change. The 81343 carries the same aluminium-copper-graphite blend as the 80078, rated from minus 60 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, in a 1 oz squeeze tube that doses precisely and lives in a tool roll. For spark plugs, cylinder heads and exhaust bolts, a tube beats a can. The tube also keeps the paste fresh — a small tube is used up before it can dry out, while a big can can sit for years.
Permatex 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 oz Tube key specs
- Size: 1 oz tube
- Formula: Aluminium, copper and graphite blend
- Temperature: -60°F to 1600°F
- Use: Spark plugs, cylinder heads, exhaust bolts
- Application: Squeeze tube, precise dosing
- Portability: Pocket size for a tool roll
- Standard: Per maker listing
- Warranty: Per maker listing
- Weight: 1 oz
- Buying channel: Verified Amazon listing, ASIN B01LWVT2DK
Permatex 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 oz Tube: fits and best for
Best for a plug change or a small job where a can is overkill. For the plugs themselves, our performance monitors guide covers reading engine data after a plug change.
Permatex 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 oz Tube pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Same blend as the 80078 in a pocket tube
- Precise dosing, no brush to dry out
- Minus 60 degree cold end
- Cheapest way into this formula
Watch-outs
- 1 oz runs out fast on big work
- No brush for large surfaces
- Tube can split if squeezed hard
Permatex 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 oz Tube: what owners report
- No owner reports broken out by tube are in the sources captured: the owner-facing sources are roundups, and none of them tests this tube by name.
- The listing data records the same aluminium-copper-graphite blend, minus 60 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, for spark plugs, cylinder heads and exhaust bolts.
Permatex 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 oz Tube: who should not buy
Skip it if you service a fleet or an exhaust system — the 8 oz can below is the cheaper buy per job. Skip it if you need a brush for large surfaces. And skip it if you want the hottest formula; the copper picks run to 1800 degrees.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Tip: Squeeze a pea-sized bead onto the threads and spread it with the bolt — the tube doses better than a brush on small work. Our garage floor mats guide covers keeping spilled paste off the floor.
Best Bulk Can: Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can
Best Bulk Can
Why the Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can is our pick
Because a busy shop burns through small cans. The 51006 is the Loctite C5-A copper formula — copper and graphite in a high-quality grease — in a 1 lb can, rated from minus 20 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, with a torque coefficient of 0.16 and MIL-PRF-907E qualification. One can covers a fleet of exhaust jobs in a busy shop.
Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can key specs
- Size: 1 lb can
- Formula: Copper and graphite in a high-quality grease
- Temperature: -20°F to 1800°F
- Torque coefficient: k 0.16 on steel nuts and bolts
- Standard: MIL-PRF-907 and MIL-PRF-907E qualified
- Use: Bolts, bushings, pipes, fittings, flanges, manifolds
- Colour: Copper
- Base: Petroleum grease, copper and graphite
- Warranty: Per maker listing
- Buying channel: Verified Amazon listing, ASIN B001HW6QBW
Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can: fits and best for
Best for a busy shop or a fleet where anti-seize is a daily consumable. For the bay, our interior LED kits guide covers lighting the work area.
Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can pros and watch-outs
Pros
- 1 lb can is the cheapest per job here
- 1800 degree ceiling for exhaust heat
- MIL-PRF-907E qualified
- Torque coefficient published at 0.16
Watch-outs
- Can is heavy and awkward for small jobs
- No brush-top on the 1 lb can
- Minus 20 degree cold end is the warmest here
Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can: what owners report
- No owner reports broken out by can are in the sources captured: the owner-facing sources are roundups, and none of them tests this can by name.
- The manual page records copper and graphite in grease, minus 20 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, a torque coefficient of 0.16 and MIL-PRF-907/907E qualification, in a 1 lb can for bulk shop work.
Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can: who should not buy
Skip it if you do one plug change a year — a 1 lb can is a lifetime supply. Skip it if you need a brush-top for fast application; the 8 oz cans below have one. And skip it for cold-weather work below minus 20 degrees; the Permatex blend goes to minus 60.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Tip: Decant a small amount into a jar for the bench and keep the big can sealed — a dried can is a wasted can. Our 12V car heaters guide covers winter work in a cold shop.
Best Copper Brush-Top: Loctite 555336 LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top
Best Copper Brush-Top
Why the Loctite 555336 LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top is our pick
Because it is the formula the trade reaches for. The 555336 is the Loctite item number for LB 8008 C5-A — copper and graphite in a high-quality grease — in an 8 oz brush-top bottle, rated from minus 20 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, with a torque coefficient of 0.16 and MIL-PRF-907E qualification.
Loctite 555336 LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top key specs
- Size: 8 oz brush-top bottle
- Formula: Copper and graphite in a high-quality grease
- Temperature: -20°F to 1800°F
- Torque coefficient: k 0.16 on steel nuts and bolts
- Standard: MIL-PRF-907 and MIL-PRF-907E qualified
- Use: Copper, brass, cast iron, steel, all alloys including stainless, all plastics, non-metallic gasketing
- Exclusion: Not for pure oxygen, oxygen-rich systems, chlorine or strong oxidisers
- Copper content: 10 to 30 percent, per Henkel safety data sheet
- Item number: IDH 555336, LB 8008 C5-A
- Buying route: No verified Amazon listing — see the disclosure below
Loctite 555336 LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top: fits and best for
Best for exhaust bolts and manifolds where a brush-top is wanted.
Loctite 555336 LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Classic C5-A copper formula, MIL-PRF-907E qualified
- Brush-top covers big jobs fast
- 1800 degree ceiling for exhaust heat
- Suits all metals and all plastics
Watch-outs
- No verified Amazon listing for this exact model
- Copper can stain aluminium
- Not for pure oxygen or chlorine service
Loctite 555336 LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top: what owners report
- No owner reports broken out by can are in the sources captured.
- The Henkel safety data sheet records copper-graphite, minus 20 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, MIL-PRF-907/907E qualification and a torque coefficient of 0.16.
Loctite 555336 LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top: who should not buy
Skip it if you need a direct buy button today — the Loctite 51006 above is the same formula in a verified 1 lb can. Skip it for pure oxygen or chlorine service; the maker forbids it. And skip it for bare aluminium; copper can stain and cause galvanic corrosion there.
This exact model is listed on Amazon, but we could not verify its ASIN from public listing data, so this guide carries no direct buy button for it. The closest verified buy in this guide is the Loctite 51006 1 lb can, below.
Closest verified buy in this guide: Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Tip: Check the item number before you buy — 555336 is the 8 oz brush-top, and the same C5-A formula is sold in other sizes under other numbers. Our multimeter guide covers proving a sensor fault before you blame the threads.
Best for Stainless: Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top
Best for Stainless
Why the Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top is our pick
Because stainless steel needs its own formula. The Permatex 09128 is a copper anti-seize designed specifically for stainless steel and similar alloys, rated from minus 30 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, with good electrical conductivity and a Mil Spec 907E rating. It suits spark plug threads in aluminium and exhaust manifold bolts, and the 8 oz brush-top bottle covers a full exhaust job.
Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top key specs
- Size: 8 oz brush-top bottle
- Formula: Copper-based
- Temperature: -30°F to 1800°F
- Conductivity: Good electrical conductivity
- Standard: Meets Mil Spec 907E
- Use: Spark plug threads in aluminium, exhaust manifold bolts, stainless steel
- Application: Brush-top, built-in brush
- Warranty: Per maker listing
- Popularity: 2,000-plus bought in the past month, per the Amazon search page
- Buying route: No verified Amazon listing — see the disclosure below
Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top: fits and best for
Best for stainless steel fasteners and exhaust manifold bolts. For the manifold itself, our borescope guide covers looking inside before you pull a seized bolt.
Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Made for stainless steel and similar alloys
- 1800 degree ceiling for exhaust heat
- Good electrical conductivity
- Brush-top covers big jobs fast
Watch-outs
- No verified Amazon listing for this exact model
- Copper can stain aluminium
- Not for pure oxygen systems, per the maker
Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top: what owners report
- No owner reports broken out by can are in the sources captured: the owner-facing sources are roundups, and none of them tests this can by name.
- The Permatex technical data sheet records a copper-based paste, minus 30 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, good electrical conductivity and Mil Spec 907E, for spark plug threads in aluminium and exhaust manifold bolts.
Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top: who should not buy
Skip it if you need a direct buy button today — the Permatex 80078 above is the verified 8 oz brush-top in the same family. Skip it for pure oxygen systems; the maker forbids it. And skip it if your work is all general fasteners; the blend above covers more metals.
This exact model is listed on Amazon, but we could not verify its ASIN from public listing data, so this guide carries no direct buy button for it. The closest verified buy in this guide is the Permatex 80078 8 oz brush-top, below.
Closest verified buy in this guide: Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Tip: Use it on stainless threads where a blend would gall — that is the job it was designed for. Our garage floor mats guide covers keeping the bay clean during exhaust work.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Permatex 80078 | Permatex 81343 | Loctite 51006 | Loctite 555336 | Permatex 09128 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 8 oz brush-top | 1 oz tube | 1 lb can | 8 oz brush-top | 8 oz brush-top |
| Formula | Alu-copper-graphite | Alu-copper-graphite | Copper-graphite | Copper-graphite | Copper |
| Temperature | -60 to 1600°F | -60 to 1600°F | -20 to 1800°F | -20 to 1800°F | -30 to 1800°F |
| Torque coefficient | Not published | Not published | k 0.16 | k 0.16 | Not published |
| Standard | Mil Spec 907E | Not published | MIL-PRF-907E | MIL-PRF-907E | Mil Spec 907E |
| Brush-top | Yes | No — tube | No — can | Yes | Yes |
| Marine use | Yes | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Best for | General fasteners | Spark plugs | Bulk shop work | Exhaust bolts | Stainless steel |
| Oxygen systems | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not for pure oxygen | Not published |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | No verified Amazon listing — verified buy: Check Price Substitute: Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can |
No verified Amazon listing — verified buy: Check Price Substitute: Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top |
Installation and use basics
Clean the threads first. Anti-seize on a dirty or rusty thread traps grit and gives a false torque reading, so wire-brush the threads, wipe them dry, and check for damage before you apply anything. A damaged thread needs a tap or a new bolt, not a coat of paste.
Apply a thin, even coat to the male threads only, and keep it off the bolt head, the washer face and any sensor threads. A little goes a long way — excess squeezes out, collects dirt and ends up where it should not be. Torque to the maker’s lubricated figure, not the dry figure, because the paste changes the torque coefficient.
Store the can upright with the brush inside and the lid tight; a dried brush is a wasted can. Our multimeter guide covers proving a sensor fault before you blame the threads, and our borescope guide covers looking inside a plug hole before you pull a seized plug.
The bay around the work matters too. Garage floor mats under the work area save the floor and your knees. A bright interior LED kit helps you see under a dark dash, and a 12V car heater keeps winter work bearable. If a road test is part of the job, a dash camera records what the car did — our 4K dash cam guide, front-and-rear dash cam guide and wireless dash camera guide cover the options — and a remote start system warms the car before a cold start. For the battery, our jump starter guide covers a flat one, and our battery tender guide covers keeping it charged.
Hand the car back as you found it: a quick pass with a car buffer or dual-action polisher, cutting compound and polishing pads on any marks the work left, a coat of carnauba wax or a professional ceramic coating kit on the paint, and a check of the mirrors — our replacement mirrors guide covers a cracked one. For the drive itself, our performance monitors guide covers reading the engine data, and our waterproof dash cameras guide covers wet-weather driving.
Safety essentials
Never trust a torque figure meant for dry threads — trust the lubricated one.
- Never use anti-seize in pure oxygen or oxygen-rich systems, or on chlorine or strong oxidiser service — the makers forbid it.
- Reduce torque when threads are lubricated; the C5-A torque coefficient is 0.16 against 0.27 dry, so a dry torque figure over-tightens a lubricated bolt.
- Keep anti-seize off oxygen sensor threads and out of the combustion chamber; excess paste fouls sensors.
- Wear gloves and eye protection; copper and graphite pastes stain skin and clothing and are hard to wash off.
- Keep the can away from heat and open flame, and store it upright with the lid tight.
- Never use anti-seize as a threadlocker; it prevents seizing, it does not prevent loosening.
Roadside recovery accessories for the kit bag
- WARN Epic snatch block — Check Price
- GearAmerica tree saver — Check Price
- AMBULL shackles — Check Price
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bolt still seizes after anti-seize | Paste applied to a dirty or rusty thread | Clean the threads with a wire brush and reapply a thin coat |
| Bolt over-tightened and snapped | Dry torque figure used on lubricated threads | Use the maker’s lubricated torque figure — k 0.16 for C5-A, not 0.27 dry |
| Paste squeezed out everywhere | Too much applied | Apply a thin coat to the male threads only and wipe the excess |
| Plug threads galled in aluminium | Wrong formula or no paste at all | Use a copper formula rated for aluminium plug threads, such as the Permatex 09128 |
| Brush dried out in the can | Lid left loose or can stored on its side | Store upright with the lid tight; replace a dried brush |
| Anti-seize on the oxygen sensor | Paste spread during application | Clean the sensor threads and replace the sensor if readings stay wrong |
Who should NOT buy these
You need a threadlocker. Anti-seize prevents seizing; it does not prevent loosening. If a bolt must stay put under vibration, use a threadlocker, not a paste. Mixing the two jobs is how bolts back out.
You work on pure oxygen systems. Every maker here forbids anti-seize in pure oxygen or oxygen-rich systems and on chlorine service. For those, use the sealant the system maker specifies, not a shop paste.
You want one paste for every metal. Copper suits steel, cast iron and brass; stainless in some services needs a nickel or graphite formula; aluminium can stain under copper. Check the formula against the metals in front of you before you buy.
You never torque a bolt. Anti-seize changes the torque coefficient, so a guessed torque on a lubricated thread is a snapped bolt waiting to happen. If you will not use a torque wrench, skip the paste and use a dry thread.
Final verdict
Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top — the best overall anti-seize: an 8 oz brush-top blend rated from minus 60 to 1600 degrees.
Permatex 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 oz Tube — the pocket-size pick: a 1 oz tube of the same blend for spark plugs and small jobs.
Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can — the bulk buy: a 1 lb can of C5-A copper anti-seize for a busy shop.
Loctite 555336 LB 8008 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top — the classic copper brush-top: C5-A rated to 1800 degrees, with a written alternative below.
This exact model is listed on Amazon, but we could not verify its ASIN from public listing data, so this guide carries no direct buy button for it. The closest verified buy in this guide is the Loctite 51006 1 lb can, below.
Closest verified buy in this guide: Loctite 51006 C5-A Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 1 lb Can
Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top — the stainless-steel pick: a copper formula rated to 1800 degrees, with a written alternative below.
This exact model is listed on Amazon, but we could not verify its ASIN from public listing data, so this guide carries no direct buy button for it. The closest verified buy in this guide is the Permatex 80078 8 oz brush-top, below.
Closest verified buy in this guide: Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top
FAQ
What is the best anti-seize alternative?
The Permatex 80078, on the evidence: an 8 oz brush-top blend of aluminium, copper and graphite, rated from minus 60 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, meeting Mil Spec 907E and suited to marine use. For a copper-only formula, the Loctite C5-A picks in this guide run hotter, to 1800 degrees. Buy the 80078 for general work and a C5-A can for exhaust heat.
Is copper anti-seize better than regular anti-seize?
Copper formulas run hotter — 1800 degrees against 1600 for the Permatex blend here — and suit exhaust bolts and manifolds. Regular aluminium-copper-graphite blends cover a wider range of metals and work better in the cold, down to minus 60 degrees. Choose copper for heat and the blend for general work.
Can I use anti-seize on spark plugs?
Yes, on the threads, in a thin coat — the Permatex 81343 tube and the Permatex 09128 brush-top are both rated for spark plug threads in aluminium. Keep the paste off the electrode and the insulator, use the maker’s lubricated torque figure, and never use it on a plug the maker says to fit dry.
Does anti-seize affect torque?
Yes, and it matters. Lubricated threads need less torque than dry ones: the Loctite C5-A torque coefficient is 0.16 lubricated against 0.27 dry on the same bolts. Torque to the maker’s lubricated figure or reduce the dry figure by the maker’s factor. A dry torque on a lubricated thread over-tightens and can snap the bolt.
What is the difference between Permatex 80078 and 09128?
Both are 8 oz brush-top pastes, but the 80078 is an aluminium-copper-graphite blend rated from minus 60 to 1600 degrees, while the 09128 is a copper formula rated from minus 30 to 1800 degrees and made for stainless steel. The 80078 covers more metals and colder starts; the 09128 runs hotter and suits stainless.
Is Loctite C5-A the same as 555336?
Yes. The 555336 is the Loctite item number for the LB 8008 C5-A copper anti-seize in an 8 oz brush-top bottle, per the Henkel safety data sheet. The same formula is sold as the 51001 1 oz tube, the 51144 4 oz brush-top can, the 51147 8 oz can and the 51006 1 lb can. Buy the size that fits the job.
Can I use anti-seize on stainless steel?
Yes, with the right formula. The Permatex 09128 copper anti-seize was designed for stainless steel and similar alloys, and the Loctite C5-A is rated for all alloys including stainless. Avoid copper where the service calls for a copper-free formula, such as some oxygen systems, and check the maker’s guidance for the exact joint.
How long does anti-seize last on a bolt?
Years in service, if the joint stays assembled — the paste does not dry out inside a torqued joint. On the shelf, a sealed can lasts years; a brush left out dries in weeks. Reapply whenever a bolt comes out, and never reuse the old paste on a reassembled joint.
What can I use instead of anti-seize?
For a one-off job, a thin coat of high-temperature grease or a moly paste can stop galling, but neither matches anti-seize for heat or corrosion resistance. Nickel and graphite pastes are the true alternatives for stainless and for copper-free service. For a bolt that must not loosen, use a threadlocker instead — it does a different job.
Sources
Maker documents
- Loctite 555336 safety data sheet, Henkel
- Permatex copper anti-seize technical data sheet
- Loctite 51006 C5-A manual, Manuals Plus
Listing evidence
- Permatex 80078 Amazon listing
- Permatex 81343 Amazon listing
- Loctite 51006 Amazon listing
- Permatex 09128 price history, PriceHistory
Owner reports
- Best anti-seize reviews and buying guide, ToolKnows
- Best anti-seize for stainless steel, Social Moms
- Copper anti-seize roundup, Top 5 Best
By Leo, Founder, WinchInsider
Leo researches automotive tools and recovery gear from maker documents, listing evidence and owner reports — never from press releases — and publishes the exclusions alongside the picks.
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Our top pick: Permatex 80078 Anti-Seize Lubricant 8 oz Brush Top — an 8 oz brush-top blend rated from minus 60 to 1600 degrees.