MAINTENANCE MANUAL
Mirage technical manual
page 14 of 65
Handy items while performing maintenance
Servicing an espresso machine requires a well filled tool-cabinet, but also some special materials you
might not think of initially.
Figure M 1. Loctite 542 and 243, food-safe grease, copper-ease, Teflon O-rings, PTFE tape and
copper O-rings.
Loctite 243 is used to increase friction such that bolts, nuts and fittings will not turn loose when not
wanted. Loctite 542 helps to seal joined parts. A disadvantage is that it should not get on the
inside of the fittings/tubing as non-hardened Loctite may be transported by the water flow and clog
restrictors, solenoid valves, etc.
Food safe grease is used to reduce friction between the nuts and the tubes when tightening the
tubes to fittings, etc.
Copper Ease is an anti-seize compound with a very high temperature tolerance (up to 1150°C.
The protective coating will not wash or burn off and will help to prevent stainless steel bolts and
nuts getting stuck. Stainless steel does not corrode but is very parch, if not lubricated, a nut-bold
connection seems to “weld” together.
Teflon O-rings and/or tape is used to assure sealing of joined parts that are expected to be
loosened every once in a while. However, especially when warm, Teflon deforms easily and
should therefore not be tightened as you would a fitting sealed with a copper O-ring.
Two wooden blocks with approximate dimensions 15x5x20 cm (6x2x8 inch) to tilt the machine
backwards for easier access to the bottom of the Mirage.
