SpudFiles

quick question. Is it ok to use regular plumber's teflon instead of the one for gas? (the white tape instead of the yellow)

For what application?

I use the regular white Teflon tape with brass and PVC fittings, for low-to-medium pressure applications with no problems.

I wouldn't use it on an unregulated CO2 system but shy of that I think the regular teflon tape is fine.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

its gonna be for steel, iron, and copper, up to 200 psi maybe (air.)

I've used the white teflon tape on brass up to and over that pressure before.

Try it and see if it leaks at all (use soapy water or etc.. to test). I like 2-3 wraps of teflon tape, and two wrenches to really tighten down the fittings. If it doesn't leak, you're good

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

White teflon is fine. I use it to 7000 psi on a regular basis for hydraulic applications. Save the gas stuff for gas apps.

White works fine. Just give it a few extra wraps.

Gippeto, this is a gas application. He's using air, not hydraulic oil.

And the tape on the joints on my SCTBDC is white teflon tape. As a general rule, I use about 120" of tape on a 2" fitting. 1/4" fittings seal perfectly with only 18" or so. I go through tape quickly, but everything seals fine.

The only yellow gas tape I've seen around here was only rated for 100 psi.

I always use the white stuff because its $1 for a 260in roll and the yellow gas stuff is $3 for a 200in roll. Ive never had any problems with leaks from it except on pvc fittings but i probaly just didnt put enough.
i have used the gas stuff before because i just had some laying around and I actually had problems with getting it to seal.
Ther is also that pink stuff which is even more expencive but Ive never tryed it.
the white tape is better and cheaper.

My bad.

How about..."Save the expensive colour coded teflon tape for applications which require a colour code."

Use yellow for natural gas

Use green for oxygen

Use which ever you want on air, water and apparently nitrogen too.

One thing to keep in mind....

Strictly speaking, the teflon tapes aren't supposed to be sealants. They're supposed to be dry lubricants that allow you to tighten the pipe threads properly, blah blah blah.

Anywho, a trick I picked up back when I used to tinker with paintball equipment: Forget teflon tape. Go get yourself some blue Loc-Tite. Use it liberally on the threads in question.

I've had plenty of joints leak when using teflon tape. I've NEVER had a joint leak with Loc-Tite.


Note: The above trick applies to metal construction only. With PVC? Yeah, teflon tape.

If you use Loc-Tite its a pain in the a$$ to unscrew the joints if you change your mind later on. Especially on larger fittings. With paintball the average connection size is 1/4" or 1/8" NPT and the pressure is usually 200-800psi when full, so you need the Loc-Tite on certain paintball applications where teflon won't cut it.