User Panel
Posted: 9/26/2013 12:13:02 AM EDT
There's a new company that sells "wraps" for firearms. They stick on, and you heat them with a heat gun to conform to curves and smaller areas. They claim to be waterproof, but there is no claim to any sort of heat resistance despite pictures showing barrels, suppressors, etc wrapped in the stuff. Has anyone tried it? I'm wondering about the durability and heat resistance.
Here's the website: Gunskins Here's a photo of their product: |
|
Looks like a good deal for all the guys who have the rubber over-molded stocks & want to change the color. Good find
|
|
This is very, very cool. Being removable is also a plus, (just in case).
For the price I might give it a try. |
|
I ended up ordering a set of ATACS-AU "wraps" for an AR-15. I'll put it on my cheap-o S&W M&P-15 Sport to see how it does. I'm really hoping it does not do some weird stuff to my barrel when the rifle gets heated by throwing some lead downrange.
Gunskins did send me an email with a shipping/tracking number first thing this morning, so that's good. If I get it by Saturday, I'll report back with how well it did since I have a range trip planned for Sunday. |
|
I "liked" GunSkins on Facebook and posted a question about the concern of a hot barrel that was wrapped in their product. They replied about two minutes later the following:
"We have done extensive testing and have had no issues with heat. We don't recommend running the skins on the barrel of full auto weapons. Other then that you are good to go." We'll see how it really does after I get it installed and test it out. |
|
That is a cool idea, but I will eat my shoe if it doesn't melt off the barrel, especially the silencer. These are made out of vinyl, according to their website. Vinyl starts to distort around 160 degrees F, or up to 200, depending on the type. Not to mention, the adhesive. I guess we will see. Good luck. |
|
I received the Gunskins today for my AR. I've done about half of my rifle already but have to go to a friend's birthday party so the rest will have to wait until tomorrow morning. Tomorrow afternoon I'm headed to the range to see how it holds up to heat.
|
|
Yeah, shipping only took two days. I'm skeptical that the wrapped barrel will stand up to the heat, but we'll see....
|
|
|
Quoted: A bit of an update: Tonight I decided to apply more of the GunSkins decals to areas of the rifle I missed before. This included more camo decals on the red dot and its knobs, the delta ring, around the trigger guard, and more places on the ACS-L stock. I found it interesting while applying these decals that there appeared to be no ill effects from the decals on the barrel after shooting it yesterday. As a reminder, here was the rifle before applying the camo decals: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aHbZBS0Ys0M/UkjAqxMES7I/AAAAAAAAD4o/BWAT_iWTRF4/s720/IMG_2086.JPG Here it is tonight after the additional decals were added: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t0siPs_x64M/UkpPWoOiCdI/AAAAAAAAD5c/dDrU-fMWSdI/s720/IMG_2093.JPG and the other side: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AvCT7_CRhuk/UkpPZUai8AI/AAAAAAAAD5s/omg3ojDPjNg/s720/IMG_2094.JPG One small let-down is that the color of the decals is not correct. The decals are much lighter than the actual ATACS-AU pattern. You can see the difference when you compare the rifle against my genuine ATACS-AU plate carrier (note: the pistol mag pouch and the rifle sling are ATACS-FG pattern, but the plate carrier itself and the AK-47 mag pouches are ATACS-AU). The picture of the rifle appears to be slightly lighter than it is in real life, perhaps this is due to the flash: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eLsnaXQo1eA/UkpPWomkBqI/AAAAAAAAD5g/3sG1SYU_C4Y/s720/IMG_2091.JPG View Quote It actually looks like you painted your gun to a certain degree, and I hope the decals last long. |
|
Checked out the site, and I might get one for my hunting rifle, an 10/22.
|
|
|
Quoted: Here's another photo comparing the GunSkins decal colors to the 'real' ATACS AU colors (using a Propper ATACS shirt). As you can see, the Gunskins is definitely lighter. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mou8LklF6Rk/UkwRdeYxeRI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/rG4oSC9sekI/s720/IMG_2096.JPG View Quote |
|
Quoted:
Here's another photo comparing the GunSkins decal colors to the 'real' ATACS AU colors (using a Propper ATACS-AU shirt). As you can see, the Gunskins is definitely lighter. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mou8LklF6Rk/UkwRdeYxeRI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/rG4oSC9sekI/s720/IMG_2096.JPG View Quote That would bug the hell out of me. |
|
Quoted:
Its more of a different color than lighter to my eyes. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Here's another photo comparing the GunSkins decal colors to the 'real' ATACS AU colors (using a Propper ATACS shirt). As you can see, the Gunskins is definitely lighter. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mou8LklF6Rk/UkwRdeYxeRI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/rG4oSC9sekI/s720/IMG_2096.JPG Yep, looks like a red/pink tint to me. |
|
I sent Gunskins a private message on their Facebook account, which included the color comparison photos and some questions as to whether all of their ATACS-AU decals were off-color like this, or if I received a bad set. Below is their response. To be fair, I have not tried the comparisons outdoors, as suggested by them. I will be going into BLM land in the mountains near my house this weekend for some "run and gun" range time with friends, so I will get some photos of the rifle and my other ATACS gear in a natural environment.
GunSkins' reply: "Hello Troy, all of our A-tacs patterns are approved by A-Tacs for color and clarity, and toned to match fabric materials given to us be the manufacturer. There are shade variations in the print due to the color variations of the substrate printed on. The cloth and fabric materials tend to be a gray-brown and the graphic material we use is a pure white. We also notice a greater variation in the color indoors rather than out. The patterns match better in natural light and at typical concealment distances. The same variations can be seen due to the porosity of fabrics, such as the proper ripstop material as opposed to the microfiber tactical clothing. Similar variations can be seen with hydrographics as the film is semi transparent and the weapon typically black. Please feel free to give me a call with further questions or respond to this comment. 855-770-7800 Thank you Kevin Lyon " |
|
Quoted:
I sent Gunskins a private message on their Facebook account, which included the color comparison photos and some questions as to whether all of their ATACS-AU decals were off-color like this, or if I received a bad set. Below is their response. To be fair, I have not tried the comparisons outdoors, as suggested by them. I will be going into BLM land in the mountains near my house this weekend for some "run and gun" range time with friends, so I will get some photos of the rifle and my other ATACS gear in a natural environment. GunSkins' reply: "Hello Troy, all of our A-tacs patterns are approved by A-Tacs for color and clarity, and toned to match fabric materials given to us be the manufacturer. There are shade variations in the print due to the color variations of the substrate printed on. The cloth and fabric materials tend to be a gray-brown and the graphic material we use is a pure white. We also notice a greater variation in the color indoors rather than out. The patterns match better in natural light and at typical concealment distances. The same variations can be seen due to the porosity of fabrics, such as the proper ripstop material as opposed to the microfiber tactical clothing. Similar variations can be seen with hydrographics as the film is semi transparent and the weapon typically black. Please feel free to give me a call with further questions or respond to this comment. 855-770-7800 Thank you Kevin Lyon " View Quote part of what he says is true. I was dying some PMags once upon a time and I had one black one that I had attempted to....unblack. Well... inside, it looked like regular ol black. It was laying on a table near a window on my bench one day and I looked and was like, where'd the fucking blue pmag come from?! Turns out, artificial lighting can be odd. I hope the Krpytek offering from RapidWraps looks close to image. |
|
Quoted:
Its more of a different color than lighter to my eyes. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Here's another photo comparing the GunSkins decal colors to the 'real' ATACS AU colors (using a Propper ATACS shirt). As you can see, the Gunskins is definitely lighter. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mou8LklF6Rk/UkwRdeYxeRI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/rG4oSC9sekI/s720/IMG_2096.JPG This. It's not just my eyes. There seems to be very little of the greens in the decal. |
|
|
So install is pretty much like putting on a sticker, tehn running some heat over it to "cure" it?
ETA: watched the vid, answers all my questions, especially the sticks to itself part. |
|
Close - you'll want to apply the heat as you adhere the 'sticker' - the heat will help the material to stretch and conform to shapes and corners, as well as helping it adhere and 'cure'
|
|
One last question, not covered by the vid.
How does the adhesion to itself look? For example, duct tape sticks to stuff, except you can peel it easily off itself. Does the vinyl seem like it will come off/loose/peel easily where it's been stuck to itself? Have you "picked" at the seam yet? |
|
Quoted:
One last question, not covered by the vid. How does the adhesion to itself look? For example, duct tape sticks to stuff, except you can peel it easily off itself. Does the vinyl seem like it will come off/loose/peel easily where it's been stuck to itself? Have you "picked" at the seam yet? View Quote It sticks to itself a bit better than to the rifle. I found it best to overlap the decals for optimal adhesion. You *can* pick the decals off at the seams, but it certainly adheres best to itself. |
|
Another good site I found. Mossy Oak skins.
Seems to be a very similar if not identical product. For an AR just buy the uncut skin. $20, nothing to lose. I'll be the Guinea Pig. http://www.mossyoakgraphics.com/gun-kits.html |
|
Let us know how it goes with those Mossy Oak skins.
In the end, I'm happy with the GunSkins. I have another kit on the way, so I will post pictures of the end result. |
|
Quoted: Here's some pictures from the 930SPX I did in Kryptek Highlander. |
|
Here's where you can get a Kryptek Highlander kit: Kryptek
Choose Highlander in the drop-down menu. This kit is from Rapid Wraps - I've used their product on my mags and the print and colors have been spot-on (even indoors!) |
|
Quoted: Here's where you can get a Kryptek Highlander kit: Kryptek Choose Highlander in the drop-down menu. This kit is from Rapid Wraps - I've used their product on my mags and the print and colors have been spot-on (even indoors!) View Quote My 10/22 TD is going to get wrapped up.
|
|
I'm thinking my supernova will be simplest.
Can't decide on a color. I'm thinking atacs LE or maybe a tan. Desert storm is pretty cool too. |
|
I did another one of my AR-15s in ATACS-FG last night. I'll post pics and a short write-up once I can get outside to take some pictures.
|
|
The first rifle you did still looks pink outside, atleast to me.
Did you have to trim around the slots in the wiking tactics free float tube? |
|
Quoted: Disclaimer - After my initial experience with Gunskins, I contacted them via their Facebook page with questions, comments, and some ideas for minor improvement. I also sent them some photos of the rifle I wrapped in ATACS AU. They liked it and were appreciative. They offered to send me an AR-15 wrap kit in ATACS FG for free to see if it would work with a Troy VTAC Alpha rail (I have 3 rifles with these rails). I received the kit from them on Saturday and the put it on one of my rifles last night. Here are the photos. The rifle I'm using here is a Delton lower with BCM complete upper (16" 1/8" SS410 barrel, 15" VTAC Alpha Rail) with an Aimpoint T-1 Micro with FDE IO Cover on an American Defense QD mount. I also swap that T-1 Micro off for a Vortex Viper PST 1-4 on an American Defense QD mount. Pictures of both on the rifle are below. Here's the 'before' photo, with genuine ATACS FG clothing as a background (Propper TAC-U shirt): https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0I6naClWqA4/UlrQL4SzRPI/AAAAAAAAEAM/EI2EqPl6wPU/s720/Before.JPG Here is a closeup of the rifle with the FG skins installed: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nqEiulhmdP4/UlrQK9VR4aI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/a5E7eXM1djg/s720/Closeup.JPG And the rifle with Aimpoint T-1 on the same background as the 'before' photo: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b3OMuQia2b0/UlrSdvDw_TI/AAAAAAAAEAY/9lZVXiUN4aw/s720/T-1%2520After.JPG And with the Vortex 1-4 on the rifle: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-faft8Y_eOkE/UlrQDsDyrJI/AAAAAAAAD_w/VeSejZ_d8o8/s720/After%25202.JPG I'm still pleased with the GunSkins product. After running it last weekend, it did indeed remain durable. The ATACS FG colors match nearly perfectly both indoors and outdoors to the genuine material. It also adheres to the lengthwise grooves on the VTAC Alpha Rail much better than I expected it would. View Quote |
|
Quoted:
The first rifle you did still looks pink outside, atleast to me. Did you have to trim around the slots in the wiking tactics free float tube? View Quote To the human eye - outside - the ATACS AU looks like it is nearly a perfect match to the AU clothing. I don't know why a pink tint is picked up in photos. Yes, I did have to trim out all the slots on the Viking Tactics handguard. It took a while. Be sure to have several spare sharp blades for the trimming tasks. |
|
|
Whats the chance of moisture getting trapped under the material, causing corrosion?
|
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.