Lesson 1: Common Myths and Misconceptions
Gasket makers and flange sealants are great time savers to have on hand in the shop. And, when compared to a traditional gasket, the material costs for gasket makers are much less. Plus, if you have gasket makers on hand, you don’t lose time waiting for a part delivery. With so many gasketing options on the market its easy to hear some myths and misconceptions about the products available. This section will help debunk some common myths about gasket makers.
Myth 1
“Razors are the best method to remove old RTV”
FACT:
Using a traditional metal razor risks gauging the surfaces leaving weak points where leaks can form.
Myth 2
“The more RTV the better”
FACT:
More is not always better, using too much RTV increases chances a leak.
Myth 3
“Allow the RTV gasket to skin over prior to reassembly”
FACT:
The best practices with modern formulations have changed over time. And now you should apply the gasket maker, assemble the parts, hand tighten and let sit for an hour. After an hour then you can torque to spec.
Myth 4
“I need to use the RTV color that matches the color of the original cut gasket”
FACT:
Permatex’s latest RTV formulations were created to align with today’s modern vehicle technologies testing to OEM specifications. Permatex’s core RTV line BLACK-GREY-RED allows mechanics to easily identify the right gasket maker for their job.