How to seal coax with ring terminals?

[Mudduckmobile]

Not sure whats available in the states. Silicone sealants here are available in neutral cure or acetic cure. Acetic cure dry faster and are stronger.But they tend to start corrosion on bare metal . I have seen wire and auto panels eaten through after using acetic cure RTV silicone.

If you are unsure a good tip is the acetic variety smells like vinegar.

ALIPHATC SOLVENT, and NAPHTHA are first on the list, and smell like hell
I'm going to see if I can find anything about there corrosiveness on line real fast. Here in the states it is used by most to seal (power) wires from the weather.
I have been using it on coax for years to seal the ends but never "looked inside" to see if it did any harm.( I change my coax once a year on my mobile ).

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Isn't that plasticine?

Yes and no. The term plasitcine has been used to refer to Play-Doh for many years however TRUE Plastine is a trade marked name for a type of modeling clay that does not dry out. It is oil based and hence it does not evaporate like Play-Doh does.

http://paintspot.ca/products-page/air-dry-clays-modeling/plasticine-modeling-clay/

https://www.artforkidshub.com/play-doh-vs-modeling-clay/

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Make sure it's neutral cure. Acetic cure can cause big problems.

I use the regular acetic acid tyupe but I tape over my connectors first with regular electrical tape and then gob the silicone on it. The tape protects the connectors and also makes it very easy to remove later. A simple cut with a sharp knife thru the silicone and tape and it peels right back revealing a shiny connector underneath. I have had outdoor connections stay water tight for over a dozen years with this and the connectors looked brand new when cut open. It will corrode bare copper however. Most folks use the Liquid Electrical tape first and then follow it with RTV silicone.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

View attachment 20104
So this is NOT good to use on BELDEN mini 8, or DX ENGINEERING 8x ?

There is no way that liquid tape that is sold with the sole intention of being put on copper and solder would be corrosive to them. I hope

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Another great thing is Plasti-Dip. I use that on exposed wires such as dipole centers etc. It thins with naptha and cures to a rubber.

 

[Mudduckmobile]

Well I have come to the thought I will not use liquid Tape anymore. There could be a chance of etching of metals.......It's all kind of confusing The solvents can be used to etch but in high amounts....?
So I just cut an old coax end and opened up the liquid tape seal.....I SEE nothing wrong.....
So I WILL use liquid tape for some things but my coax I think I'll use coax seal just to be safe...way not.
Back to Coax seal.

 

[fourstringburn]

That looks like it would be kinda messy, unless it didn't stick very bad. I bet it is great on connectors though.

No, not messy at all, silicone is messy. This stuff is like a roll of black tape. Just cut off what you need then wrap it around the connections and mold it in place.

This stuff is safe for painted surfaces, plastics, and metal and was designed for sealing coax connections. Hence the name.

The plasticine idea is one to consider too.

 

[fourstringburn]

Yes and no. The term plasitcine has been used to refer to Play-Doh for many years however TRUE Plastine is a trade marked name for a type of modeling clay that does not dry out. It is oil based and hence it does not evaporate like Play-Doh does.

http://paintspot.ca/products-page/air-dry-clays-modeling/plasticine-modeling-clay/
http://paintspot.ca/products-page/air-dry-clays-modeling/plasticine-modeling-clay/
https://www.artforkidshub.com/play-doh-vs-modeling-clay/

Got it.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

No, not messy at all, silicone is messy. This stuff is like a roll of black tape. Just cut off what you need then wrap it around the connections and mold it in place.

This stuff is safe for painted surfaces, plastics, and metal and was designed for sealing coax connections. Hence the name.

The plasticine idea is one to consider too.

So it peels right off with little residue?

 

[fourstringburn]

So it peels right off with little residue?

It peels cleanly off the backing paper and its tacky to adhere to the connection but not to your fingers.

This stuff you probably won't find locally but most Ham radio dealers and Amazon sell it.

Plasticine should be able to be found at arts and crafts and hobby stores.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

I think the liquid tape worked ok. I still don't really see clay or anything similar working very well in this application.

 

[fourstringburn]

That looks good to me. All you need is to prevent water from seeping into the coax.

I took it as you were trying to seal the connection itself.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

At least several of us learned that silicone can be highly corrosive to copper. Who'd have thought?

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Well I have come to the thought I will not use liquid Tape anymore. There could be a chance of etching of metals.......It's all kind of confusing The solvents can be used to etch but in high amounts....?
So I just cut an old coax end and opened up the liquid tape seal.....I SEE nothing wrong.....
So I WILL use liquid tape for some things but my coax I think I'll use coax seal just to be safe...way not.
Back to Coax seal.

Liquid Electrical Tape is used every day in commercial applications as well as at home. It is intended to be in direct contact with copper wires and brass screws. To think it would harm such metals is beyond comprehension.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

That looks good to me. All you need is to prevent water from seeping into the coax.

I took it as you were trying to seal the connection itself.

YUP. Me too. I thought he meant the entire thing covering the bolt heads the rings connect too and everything.