I made a wood handle for a gun and coated it with black tinted epoxy. I'm happy with the shape but I find the surface slippery. I'd like to coat it with something that has more texture, preferably black and rubbery but if not, anything that will provide some friction and be durable. Any suggestions?

rhino line it

You could try Performix Plasti Dip. I've used it on tool handles in the past. You can add non slip grit to it if needed. Comes in black.

SpearEasy - You may have thought of this already, but something that I have used before in other applications is heavy duty heat shrink tubing, preferably of polyolefin material and adhesive lined. It comes in different wall thicknesses, diameters, and shrink ratios.

I'm sure you can find it cheaper with a little searching, but www.mcmaster.com has a 9" long piece of the heavy duty adhesive lined stuff, in black, with a 2" diameter before shrinking, for $6.15. If 2" isn't large enough to fit over your handle, they have 3" ID as well for $10.72. It shrinks to 1/3 of its original diameter when heated.

The surface won't have any type of abrasive non-slip, but it's a soft, rubbery feel that I think might do the trick. The internal adhesive melts when the tubing is heated, securing it very well when cooled. When still warm and squishy, the tubing and adhesive can be manipulated slightly, to get a nice fit to the contour of your hand.

A heat gun works best to apply it, but a small propane torch also works fine if you are careful.

Hope this helps.

Tin Man

What about applying another layer of epoxy and pressing a texturized surface onto the coat of epoxy before it has fully dried. You would need to use a barrier to keep epoxy from sticking to the the textured surface. Saran Wrap or ????

Just an idea as I have never done this.

You could try Performix Plasti Dip. I've used it on tool handles in the past. You can add non slip grit to it if needed. Comes in black.

You can get the Plasti Dip in a spray can application from Lowes or Home Depot. I use it on my marker weights.

You guys are great! Excellent ideas all of them. Since I want it to look like it's factory made I'm leaning towards the spray on Plasti Dip. I hope they have it in black, I'll be checking out Home Depot today.

wahoo, great sig line, the iron lady.

How about just mixing some clean sand, like builders sand, into your black epoxy mix and then brushing this on just like you did before. The sand will provide a gritty, non-slip surface.

decalgrip.com used on pistols to provide more grip. It's like $9.

Havent used it but it's basically what you want. Ask them if it will withstand continuous underwater use. And maybe if they will sell you a sheet so you can cut it yourself.

decalgrip.com used on pistols to provide more grip. It's like $9.



Their site specifically said "does not increase bulk..."

Is there a product (for handguns) that is like a glove over the handle meant to increase bulk?

I have a gun with a handle that is a tad small and I'd like to bulk it up.

Yes there are products. Some also add finger grooves. What type of gun is it? Maybe they make different grips for it.

There are universal grips and gun specific grips. Gun specific is better due to the custom fit.

Check out midwayusa.com under the grips section. Here http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=7&Categoryid=662&categorystring=10613***&utm_source=gripleft&utm_medium=homepage820

They do make the Plasti Dip in black. You can apply multiple layers. I would suggest the spray on for that type of application. Make sure to tape/cover everything else so the over spray doesn't get where you don't want it. If you opt for the not slip grit, the manufacturer recommends a specific kind. Check their website.

damn pargo...what color is that grout?

damn pargo...what color is that grout?

In addition to the Plasti Dip, looks like you might want to pick up some of this too.

http://re3.mm-a11.yimg.com/image/208381373 :awink:

Grout just gets that way. My house is only 5 years old and I had to clean the grout already, especially in the kitchen.

I used Simple Green diluted in hot water with a scrub brush and it came out looking like new. That stuff is amazing; it will clean just about anything.

I tried the plasti dip and it did not work out. The spray on stuff is too soft and did not adhere well to the epoxy covered handle. I suspect it would be the same on bare wood. IMO it would not last a long time so I took it off, it came off very easily which confirmed it.

The next thing I would like to try is the rhino line coating. Is it the same black rough coating that I saw on some of the sea hornet spearguns? Can someone please direct me to where I can buy this stuff?

Home depot sells it

I have handled a couple of Kevin from Hammerheads guns with some type of rubberized tape on the handle and liked the feel a lot. Looked kind of like a taped up base ball bat handle but was very thick and soft yet "grippy"

How about sanding the handle to rough up the surface then applying the dip.

F*ck the dip, trust me on this. I've used the actual dip, not the spray, in red before and I remember it being much tougher than the spary on stuff. Unfortunately I can't dip the handle and I don't think it will go on well with a brush.

After doing a little online research it appears that Rhinoliner is synonymous with Herculiner, this stuff is used to coat truck beds. A logical place to start looking for it is Pep Boys or Advanced auto parts. I just hope it's not sold in gallons.

Actual RhinoLiner or Line-X is only applied at truck accessory shops. My suggestion would be to find your nearest Line-X dealer, strike up a conversation, and see if you couldn't just get them to shoot your handle when they are spraying a truck. I've owned 2 Line-X dealerships in Texas and this wouldn't have been out of the question for me to do, but then again I'm just cool like that. :liar:

F*ck the dip, trust me on this. I've used the actual dip, not the spray, in red before and I remember it being much tougher than the spary on stuff. Unfortunately I can't dip the handle and I don't think it will go on well with a brush. I'll check home depot for the rhino line coating. If that fails I'll pm Kevin and hope he'll divulge some trade secrets :D

You will need to use a special 2 part epoxy primer to prepare the grip for the Rhino coating. If not, you could have adhesion problems. Have you considered cutting a piece of bicycle innertube and sliding it over the grip?

Hi Pargo,

There is a very simple solution for what you're looking for; just give the handle an extra coating of whatever you used and sprinkle it with sugar (yes, Azuuucaaaarrr! like Celia used to say :awink:). Then, when is dry, just clear with water and the sugar will be gone leaving the grippy surface you wanted. :cool:

Hi Pargo,

There is a very simple solution for what you're looking for; just give the handle an extra coating of whatever you used and sprinkle it with sugar (yes, Azuuucaaaarrr! like Celia used to say :awink:). Then, when is dry, just clear with water and the sugar will be gone leaving the grippy surface you wanted. :cool:

interesting idea

While slipping shrink tubing or a bicycle inner tube on the handle is a nice simple solution I can't use it. The handle is made of wood with a perfect angle for shooting when the hand is extended and also perfect for up and down tracking, but it was a little thin which made side to side tracking difficult. Since then I took epoxy, the one that starts out like putty, and put it on the palm side of the handle. I squeezed the handle and it formed to the shape of my palm. This relief turned out to be so comfortable that I don't want to lose the details of it by putting rubber tubing over it.

Azuuucaaaarrr! :)

I can't believe how many good ideas all of you have come up with. I really have to think carefully now which route I'm going to go.

I'll just add that while slipping shrink tubing or a bicycle inner tube on the handle is a nice simple solution I can't use it. The handle is made of wood with a perfect angle for shooting when the hand is extended and also perfect for up and down tracking, but was a little thin which made side to side tracking a little difficult. Since then I took epoxy, the one that starts out like putty, and put it on the palm side of the handle. I squeezed the handle and it formed to the shape of my palm. This relief turned out to be so comfortable that I don't want to lose the details of it by putting rubber tubing over it.

Azuuucaaaarrr! :)

I have the shrink wrap grips that I buy from the local MATCO tool guy. They shrink nicely and even with all the oils and chemicals so far it has not moved, this one has been on for three years. Its my primary impact and it receives a lot of use everyday.

I am sure there is a matco dealer down there.

I think I may even get another and try it on my speargun, just for the heck of it. Thanks for the idea.

SpearEasy - We've all been focused on simple, pragmatic approaches to providing a non-slip surface, but maybe there's another route to consider.

You've obviously put a lot of time into getting the handle just the way you want it, so why not take that "uniqueness" a little further and do some hand carving or checkering to provide a little bite on the surface while making it completely your own. Maybe take a pattern like one of those tribal tattoos or something similar that could wrap around the handle without an obvious start or finish.

I've never done it of course, but maybe you could print the pattern on adhesive backed label paper, stick it on, and trace with a small dremel carving bit or something?

I know it sounds ambitious, but it sure looks cool in my head!

Tin Man

Tin man, I want to get to shooting it already! Good idea though. Keyskiller, thanks for the killer suggestion.

I picked up a quart of Herculiner from PepBoys Auto for $30, it's the same stuff as Rhinoliner. You're supposed to use it with a roller but this was a little finer work so I achieved the same effect using a foam brush and dabbing instead of brushing the Herculiner on. It's easy to work with and dries in about 4 hours. The handle already had epoxy coating on it so I didn't need to prime it. I'm pleased with the texture and rough look, it feels like I have good grip on the gun and have more control. I think my future handles will be made the same way.

Thanks again everyone for all your suggestions.