Lesson 3.9: 9. Using a gasket maker as a dressing on a conventional gasket.

Mistake #9: Using a gasket maker as a dressing on a conventional gasket.

This might be the most common gasketing error of all. Many mechanics will use an RTV gasket maker to hold a conventional or cut gasket in place during assembly. Some mechanics will even use the RTV gasket maker as a dressing, coating both sides of the gasket. Gasket makers are the wrong product for these applications – their formulations are too thick for use as a dressing. If you’re installing a conventional gasket, use a gasket sealant/coating – they’re available in sprays, liquids, and tubes, with specialized formulas for a variety of applications.