What causes mottling, and is there any way to enhance it?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What causes mottling, and is there any way to enhance it?

Posted: 4/16/2011 6:59:29 PM EDT

So is it just wear? Chemical degradation? Anybody?

Any way to enhance or cause this to happen?

Posted: 4/16/2011 7:50:42 PM EDT

[#1]

The theory, I believe, is that it's a failure of the dye they used in the early composite plastic.

Not sure if there's really a way to enhance it or not.

Posted: 4/16/2011 7:51:20 PM EDT

[#2]

It's caused by a rare bacteria that only occurs in tainted batches of cosmoline under certain environmental conditions, notably humid jungle like climes. That's why some stocks are mottled and others are not. Also, I am completely talking out of my ass.

Posted: 4/16/2011 7:52:29 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
Also, I am completely talking out of my ass.

We know.

I don't know about stocks and pistol grips, but sanding and polishing handguards can make the fiberglass weave very, very visible.

Posted: 4/16/2011 7:57:43 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Also, I am completely talking out of my ass.

We know.

I don't know about stocks and pistol grips, but sanding and polishing handguards can make the fiberglass weave very, very visible.

What grit do you suggest?

Posted: 4/16/2011 8:17:05 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

What grit do you suggest?

For the mottled furniture look or your talkin' azz? Gawd, I seriously need to meet up with some of ya'll...

Any one try the baking soda blast on these yet?

Posted: 4/16/2011 11:10:13 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Also, I am completely talking out of my ass.

We know.

I don't know about stocks and pistol grips, but sanding and polishing handguards can make the fiberglass weave very, very visible.

What grit do you suggest?

I actually forget what I used.

It's been over a year ago.

Posted: 4/17/2011 2:56:57 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Also, I am completely talking out of my ass.

We know.

I don't know about stocks and pistol grips, but sanding and polishing handguards can make the fiberglass weave very, very visible.

What grit do you suggest?

I actually forget what I used.

It's been over a year ago.

I've done this: Start with 220 wet sanding, then 400 wet, polish with 600 wet. Back your sandpaper up with a sanding sponge. It'll end up with a very flat texture. Then use 2 applications of Turtle Paste Wax to get the gloss back. If there's any "Mott" in there it'll show up. If not, you'll have a glossy stock.

Posted: 4/17/2011 3:26:11 AM EDT

[#8]

You can enhance the mottling with fine sandpaper.
Here's a batch of parts I got a couple years back with some other junk.
Standard 2 piece A1 type stock.

Typical black with some paint on it. After using 220 for a while and gluing the parts back, it turned out nice.
I had some pics of the finished stock oiled, but deleted them. It was pretty nice looking.

FWIW, the stock was only used for a display, I sort of think the adhesive wouldn't have held up to any recoil.

Posted: 4/17/2011 5:58:32 AM EDT

[#9]

Plastifix or JBWeld would have held up to the recoil. You'd have to paint the JBWeld, but the plastifix is gtg as is...

Posted: 4/17/2011 8:24:09 AM EDT

[#10]

I just sanded down a piece of left over d stock and got the mottling to come out, but it doesn't look as good as the naturally mottled stock i have. Im thinking maybe some brown stain/dye to make the white areas more brown...

Posted: 4/17/2011 9:13:34 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
I just sanded down a piece of left over d stock and got the mottling to come out, but it doesn't look as good as the naturally mottled stock i have. Im thinking maybe some brown stain/dye to make the white areas more brown...

Have you waxed it yet? I used a polishing compound and then followed that up with turtle wax.It will also help if you will use a buffing wheel attatched to your drill to buff it out.

Posted: 4/17/2011 9:28:11 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I just sanded down a piece of left over d stock and got the mottling to come out, but it doesn't look as good as the naturally mottled stock i have. Im thinking maybe some brown stain/dye to make the white areas more brown...

Have you waxed it yet? I used a polishing compound and then followed that up with turtle wax.It will also help if you will use a buffing wheel attatched to your drill to buff it out.

Nah, just hand sanding..Thanks for the tips! I cant do too much as I got bitten pretty badly by a dog i was training and my arm is pretty sore and swollen. There a detail shop up the street, ill go get some compound and a wheel Monday..

Posted: 4/17/2011 6:59:38 PM EDT

[#13]

Also, is mottling only present on early stocks?

What about handguards?

Posted: 4/18/2011 5:18:59 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
It's caused by a rare bacteria that only occurs in tainted batches of cosmoline under certain environmental conditions, notably humid jungle like climes. That's why some stocks are mottled and others are not. Also, I am completely talking out of my ass.

I support this idea. Mutant zombie A1 stocks FTW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!!

Posted: 5/1/2011 12:06:38 PM EDT

[#15]

Anything special about this stock? Other than the bad ass mottling? It has a "yellow straw" on the stock alignment nub IIRC. Thats a skinny 602 grip that it matches pretty well. Ignore the non retro lower, waiting on NDS.

Posted: 5/1/2011 1:50:43 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Plastifix or JBWeld would have held up to the recoil. You'd have to paint the JBWeld, but the plastifix is gtg as is...

Stir some liquid lampbalck into it while mixing. It will darken it after drying.

You will still want to go over the outside with some paint.. This just keeps it from being so white/grey.

I have never had good results from mixing hard materials into JB weld.