Adhesive for reflector? (Longbow mod)

asdalton · Oct 10, 2004

I cut down a Mini-Mag reflector for use in my Longbow Micra. It gives a great beam, but the problem is that the cut-down reflector is too short to be held in place by the gasket and lens. My plan is to glue it into place, most likely by attaching the base of the reflector to the epoxy area around the Luxeon.

I have some epoxy, but I'm not 100% sure that I want the mod to be that permanent. Ideally, I would like to use an adhesive that is permanent for practical purposes, but which could be pried loose if I really wanted to. Does anyone have an idea for which adhesive might be suitable for this?

McGizmo · Oct 10, 2004

silicone is probably adhesive enough for the task and yet will ultimately peel away. You probably have enough room for a fair amount of it too. The cure time sucks. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

asdalton · Oct 11, 2004

I decided to go with "Shoe Goo", which is a solvent-based rubber adhesive. Its cure time is no better than silicone rubber, however. I will probably wait about 3 days before putting the lens on the bezel. It does have the advantage of not releasing a corrosive compound (acetic acid) while curing, unlike silicone.

Steelwolf · Oct 13, 2004

There are several types of silicone available. Some are labelled RTV, which IIRC, are low in acetic acid. Some are even labelled as free from acid, which is what I use.

Shoe Goo, as I have it here in Perth, is a polyurethane compound. It cures quite hard and is difficult to remove later. More so than silicone. But it is great stuff. It has been a while since I last used it so I can't recall if it released the characteristic odour of acetic acid.

Usually I go for a couple of dabs of hot glue for an application like this.

Lux Luthor · Oct 13, 2004

I'm not sure why you need to do this. I cut one down several weeks ago, and it fits right in. Just don't take the fins off. With the fins, it press fits into the barrel.

asdalton · Oct 13, 2004

I had to take off the fins, or else it wouldn't fit at all. Not even close. The reflector was from an older Mini-Mag, so that might make a difference.