Originally Posted by
joedab
if one is building their own wheel, it could actually be preferable not having the nipples locked in place. That is because the inevitability of maintenance will ultimately be less difficult if a non-hardening lubricant is used.
I've used spoke prep on every wheel I've built, whether for myself or others. IMO, "locked in place" is an overstatement. It just makes them less prone to loosening, but it's never been an impediment to wheel truing.