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Posted: 10/26/2009 3:56:49 PM EDT
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I have been a fan of the Magpul handguards since they were released. My only gripe was that they were "slick" - I thought they could use more texture. I had toyed with the idea of using skateboard tape or products like 'grip tape' - however I decided I didn't want sandpaper tearing my flesh and cloths apart.... not to mention I didn't want to alter the "thickness of grip" on the handguards. I found some spray on texture intended for stairs, handrails, etc at the local ACE hardware store. Krylon had a version, however the label stated specifically that it was NOT to be used on plastics. I will say, that I rarely listen to warning lables, however I grabbed the can next to the Krylon spray on texture and did not see such warnings.... figured I was good to go. Sprayed the "clear" texture on the handguards after prepping (removing oily fingerprints).... quickly discovered that although the base was clear, the texture material was white. Oh well, I had some flat black spraypaint sitting around that I could re-finish the handguards with after the texture dried. 2 Coats of Texture, 2 Coats of Flat Black. Pictures comparing texture/non texture below.... rifle with the light has the "original" version. The texture wasn't nearly as rough as I was expecting.... which was good. It gives just enough bite to keep your hands from sliding around the handguards.         Textured  Non Textured  |
| Very nice. Years ago I did almost the same thing to a rifle length hand gaurd set using some spray in bed liner made by I think gator liner. I had some left over after shooting a truck bed and this stuff is epoxy mixed so once it is mixed it is use it or lose it. It turned out with a matte black finish but was a little courser than I was expecting. |
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Turned out good.
Someone cranked out some (Congo?) FALs in the late '90's and used the 'rock' texture on the beat up Israeli wood furniture. My caveat would be that maybe the 'not for plastic' warning wasn't for the fact it might not stick... Maybe it has something to do with how it affects different plastics' chemistry, makes it rubbery, makes it brittle, etc... I've seen plastic hardhats that cracked when dropped because the owners decided they didn't like the original color and sprayed automotive lacquer on them. YMMW. 
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