Bicycle Mechanics - Aluminum Threads or Not?

So I got my new cartridge bottom bracket, and I start reading the installation instructions from the Barnette's Manuals, and it says I have to distinguish between whether or not I have aluminum threads. I know nothing about this, I assume I have an aluminum frame, but how do I tell? And if so, does that necessarily mean that the bb shell has aluminum threads? The difference is whether or not I use loc-tite or "anti-sieze" compound which I don't know about either. Any help here? Should I be so concerned with this?

A magnet will tell you really fast. If it sticks, it's steel. If not, AL.

Loc-tite sort of glues the threads together in a nonpermanent way. Al tends to handle this operation by itself due to the type of corrosion that forms. However, it over does it, so you need anti-sieze to keep the threads from galling ( basically welding themselves together). You can get either at an auto parts store or a good hardware store. Buy the smallest tube or bottle you can. A little goes a looooooooooong way.

awesome, I tried the magnet thing, and couldn't remember till you told me which was supposed to stick, and which wasn't. I've got steel, and I've already got loc-tit in my kit, so I'm off to work.

Although loctite is not infrequently mentioned with BB install, you need to be sure
you are using the low stick type and not inadvertently the medium or high stick varieties of loctite. Usually it will say on the label which it is and by far the most
common is low stick. With small threads, like 3-8mm diameter screws it doesn't
matter much but when you get to large thread areas like BB threads, the torque
needed to break loose even low stick loctite can be significant. In my experience
BB threads are one place on a bike I would tend not to use loctite, but rather
grease instead. I use loctite on cleats, derailleur screws, and chainring screws.
Steve

My original thought was to use grease too, then I read the Barnette's Manual and it said that Shimano specs specifcially call for loc-tite and not grease on thier cartridge bottom brackets. I haven't been led wrong yet, So I went ahead with the loc-tite last night. I guess I'll update this when I have occassion too, which hopefully won't be for quite some time.