Arkayne
Enlightened
I EDC my Surefire A2 and it doesn't play well with others who share the same front pocket because the knurling is just wicked! My keys, car alarm remote, wallet, and even my cell phone have been victimized by the HAIII. I mentioned this in another thread and bwaites recommended using rubberized coating. Not only should this minimize the A2 from scratching everything it touches, it should also make it comfortable to hold in cold conditions and generally more 'grippy' as well. I figured I should give it a shot!
I bought the coating from Walmart for a few bucks and used a small paintbrush to apply. I used acetone to clean the brush after each coat.
Remove the clip by unscrewing the head. Screw the head back on so you have something to hold to when brushing on the goo.
This is the first coat drying. They recommend 30 minutes between coats but since the layer is so thin it took only 10. Use this in a well ventilated area because it's potent! I got the best results by brushing from head to tail. I tried to paint in one circular stroke by keeping the brush still and spinning the body but it started to look like a candy cane. It dries very quickly so you have to work fast. Otherwise, the paint will start to clump up.
This is what 3 coats look like with 5 hours of dry time. I can rub that knurling on plastic without scratching it now. It feels just like those Bic pens with the rubber coating on it.
Can you remove it once it's dry? ABSOLUTELY! I only put 1 coat on the tailcap knurling and this is what it looks like when you peel it off. You really have to scratch away at an edge to break it free but once you get it, it'll peel off in one piece. The knurling gives the coating an ideal surface to grab onto.
I like it and I'm going to use it! If you were to take a close look you can tell that it's been brushed on. I'd rather have a smooth factory finish so, pending free time, I'm going to experiment with different ways to apply the coating. I think I can thin out the coating and spray it with an airbrush. I'll even disassemble the light and tailcap assembly, mask off the insides, and dip the body and tailcap. Standby for more!
I bought the coating from Walmart for a few bucks and used a small paintbrush to apply. I used acetone to clean the brush after each coat.
Remove the clip by unscrewing the head. Screw the head back on so you have something to hold to when brushing on the goo.
This is the first coat drying. They recommend 30 minutes between coats but since the layer is so thin it took only 10. Use this in a well ventilated area because it's potent! I got the best results by brushing from head to tail. I tried to paint in one circular stroke by keeping the brush still and spinning the body but it started to look like a candy cane. It dries very quickly so you have to work fast. Otherwise, the paint will start to clump up.
This is what 3 coats look like with 5 hours of dry time. I can rub that knurling on plastic without scratching it now. It feels just like those Bic pens with the rubber coating on it.
Can you remove it once it's dry? ABSOLUTELY! I only put 1 coat on the tailcap knurling and this is what it looks like when you peel it off. You really have to scratch away at an edge to break it free but once you get it, it'll peel off in one piece. The knurling gives the coating an ideal surface to grab onto.
I like it and I'm going to use it! If you were to take a close look you can tell that it's been brushed on. I'd rather have a smooth factory finish so, pending free time, I'm going to experiment with different ways to apply the coating. I think I can thin out the coating and spray it with an airbrush. I'll even disassemble the light and tailcap assembly, mask off the insides, and dip the body and tailcap. Standby for more!
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