Teflon tape on compressor hose connections?

[peterp]

I'm a first time compressor owner, so apologies for this "Compressor 101" question.

I bought a Makita compressor, Goodyear rubber 50 foot hose, and Craftsman Accessory Kit. I'm trying to use the blow gun, but air leaks on both ends of the hose (compressor side and air gun side) at the quick connects. I just tightened the hose connection way more than I thought necessary and most of the leak is gone, but it still leaks a little. Is it customary to put Teflon tape or something else on the fittings to eliminate leaks?

 

[Joe B.]

Yes.

,,,,,,

 

[Scout Driver]

Yes. Use teflon tape. Teflon paste is messy.

Scott

 

[Zrexxer]

As a general rule, any tapered pipe threads require some kind of sealant to be gas/liquid tight. Personally I like to use the yellow teflon tape made for natural gas use; it's heavier and seems to seal better although it's about 3x as expensive.

 

[rodm1]

leave 2 threads at end untaped it helps prevents the tap from getting into system and plunging up stuff.

 

[kbs2244]

I use the blue Locktight gasket cement.

 

[A29]

Been known to use permatex #2 on pipe threads. Just a little does it

 

[peterp]

Thanks everyone for the feedback -- will use the tape. I had a hunch it was required, but didn't see anything the in compressor owners manual talking about it. I appreciate the help.

 

[rsanter]

thin smear of silicone

bob

 

[xscorex]

tape works best but ive used blue loctite, just make sure you let it dry good before using the hose or it will just blow it out

 

[mjozefow]

Tape is fine if the heat doesn't get to the joint. I used Teflon tape on the compressor-to-tank line and it was great until I was running it hard (sandblasting) and now it hisses. Guess what I'm doing tonight?

 

[ehauptma]

Home Depot sells a yellow teflon tape that is a bit thicker and more heavy duty (and a bit more expensive) than the cheap white stuff they and others sell. It is in the area around the black piping. After I changed to the yellow stuff from the cheap white stuff all my leaks in the compressor system went away.

Eric

 

[DanCo]

I've always used the white tape, but after reading this thread I'm gonna switch up to the yellow. I've seen it at Home Depot, its like $3 a roll. I usually retape all my air tools every 6 months anyway. Great Suggestion Guys!!!

 

[socketjockey]

Air line hiss is like music why eliminate it? It gives a shop ambiance.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Remember to wrap the teflon tape in the direction of the threads, meaning wrap in the direction the fitting tightens, otherwise you'll unwrap the teflon tape as you tighten the fittings together.

TheGrooveking

 

[NUTTSGT]

I use tape occassionaly, when I don't, I use liquid thread sealer, like ARP.

 

[steamfitter]

teflon tape or pipe dope is mainly a lubricant to help you get the joint tight enough the threads themselves make the seal. you can use the regular teflon tape for any application as long as you stay a thread back. only use tape on pvc threads never dope or paste.

 

[peterp]

Thanks for the tips on application (thread back and wrapping in direction of tightening). I did it this morning and all the leaks are gone. I picked up the Craftsman 50 foot manual hose reel. It comes with a PVC hose, which is junk, but after replacing it with the Goodyear rubber hose it works great. It took some time to take the PVC hose out and to put everything back together with Teflon tape, but everything works great now so I'm very happy with the setup. It's really great to have a compressor, should have done it many years ago.

 

[mrb]

i prefer rectorseal 5

 

[Charles (in GA)]

teflon tape or pipe dope is mainly a lubricant to help you get the joint tight enough the threads themselves make the seal. you can use the regular teflon tape for any application as long as you stay a thread back. only use tape on pvc threads never dope or paste.

I gave up on tape on PVC a long time ago. Tried everything to make IP thread on PVC seal up with tape, nothing worked. Tried a couple of wraps, tried more, tighter, everything. Gave up. Couple of friends said they had the same experience and found dope to work. Since then I use pipe dope and usually don't have any problems.

Charles

 

[TheGrooveking]

I gave up on tape on PVC a long time ago. Tried everything to make IP thread on PVC seal up with tape, nothing worked. Tried a couple of wraps, tried more, tighter, everything. Gave up. Couple of friends said they had the same experience and found dope to work. Since then I use pipe dope and usually don't have any problems.

Charles

Make 100% sure the dope you are using is compatible with PVC. The reason I state this is we had a high rise building near me that pool drain that was PVC failed because someone doped a connection before the valve. Normally that wouldn't too big of an issue, except this time the pool was on the 19th floor

The forensic engineering firm hired by the insurance company found the dope and tested it on PVC to find that over time it caused a softening of the PVC, thus ultimately failing while holding back the hydrostatic pressure from the pool.

TheGrooveking

 

[steamfitter]

I gave up on tape on PVC a long time ago. Tried everything to make IP thread on PVC seal up with tape, nothing worked. Tried a couple of wraps, tried more, tighter, everything. Gave up. Couple of friends said they had the same experience and found dope to work. Since then I use pipe dope and usually don't have any problems.

Charles

the problem with dope ov pvc threads isnt with leaks, the problem is with failure of the pipe or fitting over time the dope can weaken the pipe. pvc threads can be tricky but if you use three wraps of tape and dont over tighten you shouldnt have many problems.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I did stop and read the containers. What I have does include PVC as acceptable. I did notice that another brand (Oakley I think) did not list PVC on its container, which made me wonder but I had no idea why.

I use the teflon Rectorseal.

Charles

 

[Harold Ray]

Old thread, but but good info!! I wanted to thank everyone for their advice. I went to Home Depot today, bought the yellow Teflon tape, and fixed up my new compressor!!

Ray

 

[6768rogues]

Pipe dope or teflon tape. They lubricate the threads so that they go together smoothly without galling.

 

[Planethill]

Something I just learned today:

In addition to regular White (single density) and Yellow (double density), there is also Pink tape (triple density) for extra large fittings, Green Tape (oil free) for medical oxygen lines, Gray tape (stainless steel fittings) and Copper tape (contains particles of copper for lubricating properties), kinda like copper anti-sieze you put on brakes & rotors.

Who knew? That's what going down a Google rabbit hole will do for ya.

 

[6768rogues]

I have used both teflon tape and pipe dope. Overall, I have better success with pipe dope than teflon tape. The primary purpose is to lubricate the threads so that they do not gall when tightening. That is why they have teflon in them.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Something I just learned today:

In addition to regular White (single density) and Yellow (double density), there is also Pink tape (triple density) for extra large fittings, Green Tape (oil free) for medical oxygen lines, Gray tape (stainless steel fittings) and Copper tape (contains particles of copper for lubricating properties), kinda like copper anti-sieze you put on brakes & rotors.

Who knew? That's what going down a Google rabbit hole will do for ya.

I use this

https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-x-260-in-PTFE-Thread-Seal-Tape-306212/203529858

it is the gray.

Bought a 6 pack awhile ago for sprinkler fittings and use it for my air tools as well.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Here is a little caution. While Anaerobic gel joint sealer works really well, be totally ready to screw the fittings together as fast as possible. If, for any reason, a person stops turning the fittings, it is almost 100% sure the anaerobic joint sealer will instantly set. The plus side is this joint sealer works on fittings/joints that would otherwise not be tight enough.
I was installing a fitting in the end of a 5 liter air tank. An hour later we decided to change the fitting. Too late to screw it out, so I drilled the fitting out and chased the threads.
Someone mentioned the yellow Teflon tape and I agree with what was posted. I have both yellow and white Teflon tape and Teflon joint liquid sealer.

 

[JMQ4]

I use blue monster, it’s thicker than normal, and, for the life of me, can’t remember where I got it. Need to get more.

 

[Dirtydan69]

i prefer rectorseal 5

Or TFE. Can’t stand tape.

 

[jubilee]

IMO tape is terrible. I was involved in a test of Teflon tape in late sixties. Total fail. You’ll seldom gall a thread with dope,but you can easily gall threads with tape.

 

[Hawke]

Tape is the work of the devil. All it does is provide a good lubricant to allow the joint to either over tighten and split, or vibrate loose.

The only solution is to use a proper Locktite thread sealer, or correctly design the joint with parallel threads and o ring.

There is a reason thread tape is not allowed to be used on aircraft, and is never used on successful race cars.

 

[mike5511]

So if I'm not gonna fly or race my compressor, I should be fine huh?

 

[Spulen81]

PTFE paste here. Tape has failed on me too many times.

 

[6768rogues]

Yes, tapered pipe threads need either teflon tape or pipe dope. I have used both, but have fewer leaks with pipe dope. There is teflon or a similar lubricant in both to lubricate the threads so they do not gall.

 

[tshetter]

LOCTITE 542.

Used it on hundreds of air fittings at work and never had a leak.

 

[428PI]

I've had way better results with teflon tape than the paste. I'll save the paste for pipe fittings say in oil pressure senders on engines and flywheel bolts etc. For air pipes or water pipes it's tape all the way. Haven't had any problems with the thin white stuff.