What do you use on brass drain plugs ?

[bobdec]

Finally removed my 3/4 inch brass drain plug on boat purchased 18 months ago. Three days of PB Blaster, hammer tapping, propane heating and finally a big vise grip and a 12 inch pipe for leverage. Got it off but chewed it up a bit. Question how to prevent a repeat.. should I install new pulg with nothing (bare threads) , Teflon tape, anti-siez grease, marine grease or something else.

 

[Philster]

Re: What do you use on brass drain plugs ?

They go in dry and they don't get over-tightened.

Make it snug by hand, then -- how do I explain this -- just a firm turn with a wrench until she is seated well. I think modest arm strength is proper. If you're leaning back to get leverage, then you are overtightening it.

I've seen Teflon tapers, but it's my understanding it's intended to be screwed in as is. Brass threads seat well. Brass is tough enough for the job, but soft enough the seat well along the threads.

Someone abused the poor brass plug before by cross-threading it or simply over-tightening it.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What do you use on brass drain plugs ?

To eliminate the problem you just experienced, use an anti- seize lubricant or just coat the threads with waterproof grease before installing. I prefer Evinrude or Yamaha “blue” grease for this type of application but the wheel grease you use on the trailer bearings will work almost as well.

If you remove your plug after each outing you want to consider a “dry” type lubricant like Dri-slide.

 

[wcasey5]

Re: What do you use on brass drain plugs ?

so you do use a wrench? Not just hand tight?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: What do you use on brass drain plugs ?

so you do use a wrench? Not just hand tight?

Mine just goes in hand tight. I keep a wrench in the truck just in case I need it to get the plug back out. In MN we have this new rule about having the plug out of the boat when on the road, so it is only in when the boat is in the water anymore.

 

[fish hook]

Re: What do you use on brass drain plugs ?

I remove mine after each outing to drain. I add a couple twists of teflon tape (never tried it without - extra security from leaking I guess) hand tighten and then barely snug with a stubby wrench. Don't over do it.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: What do you use on brass drain plugs ?

I use silicone on the threads of my drain plug (but don't tell anybody).

The trick is in not over tightening it. . . Maybe 15 ft-lbs. Since I launch seasonally, I just paint over it with anti-fouling so it has a little something extra holding against vibrations, etc.

 

[bobdec]

Re: What do you use on brass drain plugs ?

Thanks for the replies, Plug is pulled seasonally as the cutty drain empties into the bilges after inside deck washing. Rest of the boat is self bailing and bilge is usually bone dry. This forum is a great replacement for the days when there was a watering hole at the marina and all questions would get answered with a cool brew in one hand.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: What do you use on brass drain plugs ?

I don't know about you guys, but I've got a cool, refreshing brew in my hand right now

 

[90stingray]

Re: What do you use on brass drain plugs ?

I drilled the square end of the plug and puched in a stainless roll pin to give my fingers some leverage to tighten and remove. So mine only gets finger tight and the plug threads are dry.

 

[T_Herrod]

Re: What do you use on brass drain plugs ?

I would use some anti-sieze lubricant and just a little past hand tight should do the trick. Remember most plugs are cut with a tapered pipe thread. They tend to get tighter with time and vibration.