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Posted: 5/14/2008 6:46:45 PM EDT
| Where can you get some epoxy for gun projects, such as filling and reshaping the back strap of a Glock or other things. Is there something that sets up black or even Green? |
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Most available epoxies will not bond to the polymers used for guns. Most will simply peel right off. Custom shops that alter polymer guns actually use special plastic welding equipment that works similar to metal welding equipment to build up polymer parts. Epoxy "might" hold, but only if you provide "locks" for the epoxy to hold onto. This means drilling under-cut holes or making the polymer extremely rough by using a soldering iron to give the surface a very rough stippled-like surface. Undercut holes, rough, ragged stippling or other treatments will give the epoxy a surface it can form a mechanical lock to. These "locks" will prevent the epoxy from just peeling off. It's not the adhesion that holds it on, it's the epoxy flowed into areas that form a mechanical hold. Use a slow-cure epoxy like the One Hour types you can buy in any hardware store. Get a GOOD measured mix of the epoxy and stir it for at least two full minutes to get a good uniform mix. Try to keep air bubbles from forming in the mix. For coloring, you can use ordinary Testor's model airplane solvent-based paint to color epoxy. Pick a color you like, and you can mix the paint to get other shades. Test the paint match by painting on a small area of the gun and allowing to dry completely. You'll probably have better matches with the gun if you use a mix of flat and gloss paints. Gloss will be too shiny, and flat will be too flat. Experiment with how much to add to the epoxy by making small batches. Mix the epoxy well then add SMALL amounts of the paint. The less paint you use to color the epoxy, the stronger the epoxy is. Add too much, and the epoxy is degraded and weak. Bottom line. Before ruining an expensive polymer gun, I'd send it to one of the custom shops that does polymer frame alterations with a plastic welder. It'll be as good a the factory, where epoxy is not going to be all that strong, and the colors will be VERY difficult to get an exact match. |
PREDATOR Custom Shop 3550 Papermill Drive Knoxville, TN 37909 Phone: (865) 521 - 0625 Fax: (865) 521 - 0624 Predator Custom Shop Dolomite |
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