The Ford Barn

ericr · 11-22-2015, 09:41 AM

"You'll wonder where the leaks all went,
when you lap your valve with Pepsodent"

Or so the jingle went.

Several prominent members have mentioned curing gas shut-off valve leaks with toothpaste. In doing so, did you attach the stem to an electric drill? It's hard for me to believe that merely twisting the stem manually a few times would cure leaks.

Tom Wesenberg · 11-22-2015, 12:36 PM

It was quite a few years ago that I did mine, but I started by spinning the tapered part in the lathe and using crocus cloth, then finished with toothpaste. I probably spun the valve in the body by using my lathe. You can also get a good seal by twisting it with your hand to lap it in as long as it isn't badly scratched to start with. I used a light coating of grease when I reassembled it, and it's been easy to turn and leak free since. I've turned some valves that you almost need a wrench on them.

Big hammer · 11-22-2015, 01:00 PM

I used a cordless drill to spin stem in the body, a repoped gas valve
When it sticks in place you'll know you have a good fit. Be sure clean it up!

Dan Partain · 11-22-2015, 01:32 PM

I found this list showing the abrasiveness of different toothpastes and it looks like Pepsodent is way up on the list and a good choice.

It also looks like some of them have low abrasives may have little or no effect on lapping the valve. I didn't have much luck lapping mine a couple of years ago, maybe I was using the wrong brand.

Here's the list -
http://www.freysmiles.com/blog/view/...ve-toothpastes

Synchro909 · 11-22-2015, 06:21 PM

Toothpaste manufacturers don't like the fact that they have abrasives in their product being spoken about.

glenn in camino · 11-22-2015, 08:39 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I've had some luck using tooth paste, but haven't tried Pepsodent. I'll try it.

Mike V. Florida · 11-22-2015, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big hammer

I used a cordless drill to spin stem in the body, a repoped gas valve
When it sticks in place you'll know you have a good fit. Be sure clean it up!

I've done a couple that way, any non gel toothpaste will work. Most homes will have it already.

11-22-2015, 09:41 AM	#1
ericr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,542	Lapping Gas Valve with Pepsodent "You'll wonder where the leaks all went, when you lap your valve with Pepsodent" Or so the jingle went. Several prominent members have mentioned curing gas shut-off valve leaks with toothpaste. In doing so, did you attach the stem to an electric drill? It's hard for me to believe that merely twisting the stem manually a few times would cure leaks.

11-22-2015, 12:36 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Lapping Gas Valve with Pepsodent It was quite a few years ago that I did mine, but I started by spinning the tapered part in the lathe and using crocus cloth, then finished with toothpaste. I probably spun the valve in the body by using my lathe. You can also get a good seal by twisting it with your hand to lap it in as long as it isn't badly scratched to start with. I used a light coating of grease when I reassembled it, and it's been easy to turn and leak free since. I've turned some valves that you almost need a wrench on them. Last edited by Tom Wesenberg; 11-22-2015 at 01:30 PM.

11-22-2015, 01:00 PM	#3
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,431	Re: Lapping Gas Valve with Pepsodent I used a cordless drill to spin stem in the body, a repoped gas valve When it sticks in place you'll know you have a good fit. Be sure clean it up!

11-22-2015, 01:32 PM	#4
Dan Partain Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hangtown, CA Posts: 562	Re: Lapping Gas Valve with Pepsodent I found this list showing the abrasiveness of different toothpastes and it looks like Pepsodent is way up on the list and a good choice. It also looks like some of them have low abrasives may have little or no effect on lapping the valve. I didn't have much luck lapping mine a couple of years ago, maybe I was using the wrong brand. Here's the list - http://www.freysmiles.com/blog/view/...ve-toothpastes

11-22-2015, 06:21 PM	#5
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,044	Re: Lapping Gas Valve with Pepsodent Toothpaste manufacturers don't like the fact that they have abrasives in their product being spoken about. __________________ I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Even at my age, I still like to look at a young, attractive woman but I can't really remember why.

11-22-2015, 08:39 PM	#6
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Lapping Gas Valve with Pepsodent Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've had some luck using tooth paste, but haven't tried Pepsodent. I'll try it.