Best way to heat an aluminum receiver? (remove Red Loctite)

[Cree]

I use the blue loctite on everything. The purpose of the loctite is to keep the screw from rotating and working itself loose, not to cement the screw in place.

As for heating aluminum, I used a propane torch last night to heat an aluminum 10-22 receiver that was not willing to release the barrel. I heated it up gently, to the point where it was fairly warm, and it slid off with little effort. I use the same propane torch to heat up parts to remove red and green loctite.

Andy

 

[STFU]

Thank you all for the advice.
The Red Loctite actually broke free pretty easily. I did not have to apply much heat at all.
No damage to the receiver or the screws. Piece of cake.

 

[shaynster]

I did the opposite, I stuck my AR lower in the freeze overnight to get my castle nut broke loose. I forget where I read it, but it worked.

 

[Cree]

That is a good tip for castle nuts. Applying heat causes metals to expand, cold causes them to constrict. Both techniques try to give some wiggle room to get parts to move.

 

[Usmccookie]

Necropost, but i wanted to thank the posters. I did not want to heat up my most expensive firearm just to remove a screw.