fuel tube flaring and fittings

[Bevan]

I have now sucessfully installed a gascolator and fuel shutoff valve in each wing root (RV7A). Removed the AP filter next to the high pressure pump. No more gascolator on the firewall. This took a lot of planning, many additional fittings including some special harder to find items.

I have made a lot of flares now and installed many fittings. Don't know if their too tight. But I'm pretty sure that they're not too loose.

Questions: Any tips or advice on making flares and attaching fittings so as to guarantee NO leaks from ALL of them? I don't want to have to chase down down any leaks especially in the cockpit where they're hard to get at.

Would it hurt to apply a VERY thin film of "fuel-lube" (like just make it sticky) to the face of the contact areas? I know that many say it should just be a metal to metal contact BUT when servicing hydraulic systems, the fittings are all covered in oil as they are re-installed. I would think fuel-lube would be better than oil.

What says the experts?

Bevan