Best Thread Locker for Automotive Use (2026)
5 thread lockers for automotive use compared by strength, size, set time and the fasteners each listing names.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best OverallVIKAGU 262 Red9.7/10View on Amazon - 2
Best Medium StrengthLoctite 242 Blue9.7/10View on Amazon - 3
Best High StrengthLoctite 263 Red9.7/10View on Amazon - 4
Best GelPermatex 25005 Orange9.6/10View on Amazon - 5
Best Twist ApplicatorPermatex 24010 Blue9.6/10View on Amazon
A brake job ends with the caliper bolts torqued and the wheels back on, but vibration works on every fastener from the first drive. A drop of thread locker on the threads keeps those bolts from backing out between services. This guide compares the best thread locker for automotive use: red and blue, gel and liquid, by strength, size, set time and the fasteners each listing names.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall VIKAGU 262 Red: 50 ml of high-strength permanent locker with M20 fit, 32 Nm initial torque and a -54°C to 150°C temperature range. Check price on Amazon
- Best Medium Strength Loctite 242 Blue: 36 ml of medium-strength blue locker that works on all metals and sets in 5 minutes. Check price on Amazon
- Best High Strength Loctite 263 Red: Oil tolerant red locker for fasteners up to 1 in, with fluorescent color and heat removal. Check price on Amazon
- Best Gel Permatex 25005 Orange: Orange gel with 3x the holding power of standard blue, removable with hand tools. Check price on Amazon
- Best Twist Applicator Permatex 24010 Blue: Medium-strength blue gel in a twist applicator for 1/4 inch to 1 inch fasteners. Check price on Amazon
Picks for the garage
VIKAGU 262 Red Threadlocker, High Strength
A red high-strength permanent thread locker in a 50 ml bottle, made for metal nuts and bolts up to M20, with a 32 Nm average initial torque and a temperature range of -54°C to 150°C.
Pros
- 50 ml bottle, the largest size in this roundup
- Fits fasteners up to M20 with a 32 Nm average initial torque
- Temperature range of -54°C to 150°C (-65°F to 302°F)
- Viscosity of 1200 to 2400 mPa·s for controlled application
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Permanent strength is wrong for fasteners that come apart for service
- The listing also names furniture, home appliances and electronic devices as uses
- No fluorescent color is named in the listing
LOCTITE 242 Automotive Blue Threadlocker
A medium-strength blue thread locker in a 36 ml bottle that works on all metals, sets in 5 minutes and reaches full strength after 24 hours.
Pros
- 36 ml bottle, the largest size of the two Loctite picks
- Works on all metals, including stainless steel, aluminum and plated surfaces
- Sets in 5 minutes and reaches full strength after 24 hours
- Medium strength suits parts that come apart for service
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No temperature figure is stated in the listing
- No oil tolerance is stated in the listing
- No applicator type is named in the listing
LOCTITE 263 Automotive Threadlocker Red
A high-strength red thread locker in a 6 ml bottle, oil tolerant and fluorescent, for as-received fasteners up to 1 in, with heat removal.
Pros
- Oil tolerant for a stronger bond on oily fasteners
- Fluorescent color for visibility
- Removable with localized heat and basic hand tools
- Sets in 10 minutes and reaches full strength after 24 hours
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No applicator type is named in the listing
- Temperature is stated only as up to 140 degrees, with no unit named
- Fits as-received fasteners up to 1 in (25 mm)
Permatex 25005 High Strength Orange Threadlocker
A high-strength orange thread locker gel in a 5 g squeeze tube, with 3x the holding power of standard blue, removable with hand tools, for fasteners from 1/4 to 1 in.
Pros
- Hybrid orange formula with 3x the holding power of standard blue
- Gel stays on the threads during assembly
- Stays put on overhead and vertical fasteners
- Removable with standard hand tools and extra force
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- 5 g tube holds less than the 10 g Permatex blue gel
- Not for plastic parts, as the listing states
- No set time in minutes is stated in the listing
Permatex 24010 Medium Strength Threadlocker Blue
A medium-strength blue thread locker gel in a 10 g twist applicator, for all nut and bolt applications from 1/4 inch to 1 inch.
Pros
- Gel twist applicator for accurate dispensing
- Gel formula without drips, globs, mess or waste
- Suits overhead and vertical applications
- Medium strength for all nut and bolt applications from 1/4 inch to 1 inch
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No set time in minutes is stated in the listing
- No temperature figure is stated in the listing
- No oil tolerance is stated in the listing
Compared on paper
| Model | Shop Score | Strength | Size | Set time | Full strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIKAGU 262 Red | 9.7/10 | High, permanent | 50 ml | 10 minutes | 24 hours |
| Loctite 242 Blue | 9.7/10 | Medium | 36 ml | 5 minutes | 24 hours |
| Loctite 263 Red | 9.7/10 | High | 6 ml | 10 minutes | 24 hours |
| Permatex 25005 Orange | 9.6/10 | High, removable | 5 g | Not stated | Not stated |
| Permatex 24010 Blue | 9.6/10 | Medium | 10 g | Not stated | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, collected 4 November 2026. None of the listings states a warranty term with a length, and none names a safety standard, so all 5 score zero for safety and all 5 score zero for warranty.
How the lockers were scored
Each locker is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. The How We Pick page explains the weights.
| Product | Shop Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIKAGU 262 Red | 9.7 | 32 | 22 | 22 | n/a | 0 |
| Loctite 242 Blue | 9.7 | 30 | 22 | 22 | n/a | 0 |
| Loctite 263 Red | 9.7 | 32 | 22 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
| Permatex 25005 Orange | 9.6 | 30 | 21 | 19 | n/a | 0 |
| Permatex 24010 Blue | 9.6 | 28 | 20 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.
What the listings tell you
All 5 listings state a strength, a size and the fasteners they suit. The Loctite 263, the Loctite 242 and the VIKAGU 262 state a set time in minutes and a full-strength time of 24 hours, while the 2 Permatex gels state neither. The Loctite 263 states an oil tolerance and a fluorescent color, and the VIKAGU 262 states torque, viscosity and a temperature range. None states a warranty term with a length.
Buying guide: choosing the best thread locker for automotive use
Red or blue
Red means high strength and blue means medium strength, and the choice follows the fastener. Red suits fasteners that stay put, such as ring gear bolts and transmission shaft bolts, and it comes off with localized heat. Blue suits fasteners that come apart for service, such as valve cover bolts, water pump bolts and oil pan bolts. Orange sits between the two: the Permatex 25005 pairs red-level hold with removal by hand tools.
Gel or liquid
Gel stays on the threads during assembly and stays put on overhead and vertical fasteners, which suits work under the car. The Permatex 25005 and the Permatex 24010 are gels; the Loctite 263, the Loctite 242 and the VIKAGU 262 are liquids. A gel twist applicator, as on the Permatex 24010, puts the locker where it belongs without drips.
Size and set time
Bottle sizes here run from 5 g for the Permatex orange gel to 50 ml for the VIKAGU 262, so match the bottle to the job: a small tube suits occasional jobs, while a 36 ml or 50 ml bottle suits a full round of engine work. Set times stated here are 5 minutes for the Loctite 242 and 10 minutes for the Loctite 263 and the VIKAGU 262, with full strength after 24 hours for all 3. The 2 Permatex gels state no set time, so allow time before driving.
What to check before the first job
Check the fastener size first: the listings here cover fasteners from 1/4 to 1 in, with the VIKAGU 262 rated up to M20. Clean and dry threads before applying, as the Permatex orange listing states, and keep the locker off plastic parts, which the same listing rules out. Work with fresh air moving through the garage, and keep the bottle upright in the toolbox between jobs.
Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Garage Fit Check
- Check the fastener size before ordering: the listings here cover fasteners from 1/4 to 1 in, with the VIKAGU 262 rated up to M20.
- Match the strength to the job: red for fasteners that stay put, blue for parts that come apart for service, orange for high-vibration fasteners that still need hand-tool removal.
- Keep the locker off plastic parts, as the Permatex orange listing states.
- Clean and dry the threads before applying, as the Permatex orange listing states.
- Store the bottle upright in the toolbox between jobs.
FAQ: garage tools
When should thread locker be used on a car?
Use it on fasteners that loosen under vibration. The listings name valve cover bolts, water pump bolts, oil pan bolts, drive shaft bolts, flywheel bolts, axle nuts and transmission mounts as uses, along with stator bolts, case half bolts and triple tree fasteners.
Is thread locker a sealant?
The listings describe both jobs: the Permatex 24010 locks and seals, and the VIKAGU 262 lists a sealing capability that replaces solid gaskets. The main job of thread locker is holding fasteners against vibration, with sealing as a second effect.
Can red thread locker be removed?
Yes. The Loctite 263 comes off with localized heat and basic hand tools, and the Permatex orange comes off with standard hand tools and extra force. The VIKAGU 262 is a permanent formula, so save it for fasteners that stay put.
Does thread locker work on plastic parts?
No. The Permatex orange listing states it is not for plastic parts, and the VIKAGU listing is for metal nuts and bolts. Thread locker here is made for metal fasteners.
How long does thread locker take to set?
The Loctite 242 sets in 5 minutes, the Loctite 263 and the VIKAGU 262 set in 10 minutes, and all 3 reach full strength after 24 hours. The 2 Permatex gels state no set time, so allow time before driving.
More garage guides
See the engine and shop equipment hub, the blue vs red thread locker guide, the thread locker vs thread sealant guide, the anti seize vs thread locker guide, the best thread locker for metal to plastic and the best torque wrench for car maintenance.
