HA III changes color under heat??

[badtziscool]

Hey guys. This seams to really frustrate me. I have a C2 that's pretty dark in color. I keep trying to match a z41 tailcap with a color and shade close to it. Every once in a while I find one that I think matches pretty close, but I have to heat it up so I can remove the stock switch to put in a mcClicky. Everytime I heat it up to loosen the glue the tailcap seems to always come out a lighter shade of OD and it doesn't match anymore.

Is this a normal phenomenon? If that's the case, then I should just give up trying to match the color. What do you guys think?

 

[DIWdiver]

Start with a darker one.

 

[aEx155]

Isn't there a way to do it without heating it?

 

[ElectronGuru]

Generally speaking, the only way to get consistent appearance across all pieces is with HA that has been dyed (black). Trying to get the same level of perfection from a finish this so naturally varied (natural HA) is asking for frustration. However...

I've found that boiling is best for Nitrolon caps. For aluminum, dry heat (baking) can break the glue with minimal side effects. If you are already applying dry heat, the next step to apply the same effect to both pieces, baking the body and tailcap at the same temperature for the same time, creating the same effect.