Sealing StaLok terminals

[Kinsa]

Hi.
I have seen various recommendations for the sealing gunk used in the final assembly of a StaLok terminal, ranging from silicone to 3M. StaLok mention neither thread locking compound nor sealing gunk in their instructions, so they´re no help!
What is current best practice? I am not keen on using silicone anywhere on board.
Hope someone can help.

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
Actually, I think Sta-Lok recommends some decorative amount of silicone -- too little of the wrong sealant, basically. These directions have led to many corrosion problems with these terminals, just not enough of them to make them amend their directions. Likewise they've long failed to mention applying loctite at first assembly, to prevent galling, even though this is a frequent and expensive occurrence.
So. Use 3M's 4000UV, fast cure; it sticks really well to metal, but is not so stiff that it makes the terminal hard to take apart. Use enough of this sealant that a bit squirts out the wire end of the terminal. That way no water can get inside. And check in with Brooks Jones at Sailing Services in Miami if you seek confirmation on the above. He imports Sta-Loks in the U.S., and is a most knowledgeable and generous man.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Kinsa]

Hi Brion.
Thanks for the answer. I live in Germany and am having problems locating 3M 4000 UV but shall persevere. I have assembled 8 terminals @ 8 mm dry (first assembly?) with no difficulties, but when I started the first of the two 10 mm terminals for my forestay it happened! Galling. I managed to get the components apart, but I´m not sure if I can clean up the threads suffficiently to risk using the terminal again. Now to my question: you say that StaLok don´t recommend using Loctite for first assembly. Do you mean the "dry run" where the terminal is screwed together then taken apart again to check that the wedge and former have done their job? I have your DVD and you don´t recommend this there, but I guess best practice develops with time. I tested all the StaLok terminals before accepting them, just as you recommend, and they were all ok. The above-mentioned 10 mm pig was also ok when I tested it before installing.
I had a good morning, successfuly installing 8 terminals, but a very bad afternoon!
Yours aye,
Bill

[Brion Toss]

Hi again,
Oh, I feel your pain. Glad you got it apart. And yes, I mean putting the Loctite on at first assembly. Loctite: it's a glue and a lubricant. You might try cleaning off those threads ad best you can, and gingerly reassembling. Safer to replace the terminal though...
Fair leads,
Brion Toss