Anybody use Plasti Dip on tool handles?

[77thor]

I'm wondering how durable Plasti Dip would be on tool handles...

Anybody use it for that application?


Also, I've been looking for Plasti Dip 14.5oz (not aerosol) can in YELLOW and nobody seems to carry it locally. All I can find is BLACK. I can find it online, but it's much more expensive.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZN1T16/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[panknuckshovel]

Used it on a couple sets of pliers and a scredriver handle that the dog chewed some rough edges into. Double dipped the pliers and it held up really well. Black and Red were the only colors I could find on the shelf, and as I am sure you are finding shipping kills the other colors. HD and Lowes will bring in yellow if you order a six pack and that is ridiculous.

 

[stage20]

have you looked at your local rubber hose/hydraulic supplier? my local shop carries a large selection of plasti dip, though ive never physically looked for yellow.

 

[bonneyman]

I've used Plasti-Dip on alot of tool handles. Application is easy, it sticks pretty well to the steel, and it provides a non-slip grip. But it is not very durable. Nothing like the old clear green stuff on Diamond adjustable wrenches.

 

[volleyball]

I'm wondering how durable Plasti Dip would be on tool handles...

Anybody use it for that application?


Also, I've been looking for Plasti Dip 14.5oz (not aerosol) can in YELLOW and nobody seems to carry it locally. All I can find is BLACK. I can find it online, but it's much more expensive.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZN1T16/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You mean like the picture of the tool being dipped in plastidip on their can?
I've seen it in yellow cans most but I haven't looked for a long time

 

[Davefr]

It's **** IMHO. (not durable or solvent resistant)

 

[fsae0607]

It works good enough. When it wears too much, just rip the old stuff off and redip.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

I've recently used Sugru on something things around the house and have been impressed with it so far. It may be a better option for tools.

 

[RunninOnEmpty]

It's **** IMHO. (not durable or solvent resistant)

Do you know of anything more suitable that is available to consumers and reasonably priced? I was wondering if perhaps Smooth On has something that'll do it. Maybe urethane or something.

 

[KamiCrit]

Would the plasti dip work better after a bake to help cure?

 

[Davefr]

Do you know of anything more suitable that is available to consumers and reasonably priced? I was wondering if perhaps Smooth On has something that'll do it. Maybe urethane or something.

Some of the tool companies like Klein sell slip on handle covers in various sizes.

Another alternative is heat shrink tubing which should hold up much better then the dip.

 

[jacked_72]

I've got a couple of old ratchets that someone has put heater hose over the handle to make kind of a "comfort grip." Might be able to get some vacuum hose or something similar over the handles.

 

[rlitman]

What's the stuff that Sonic has on their outdoor tables? That stuff has always fascinated me. I think I priced it once , years ago, and the damn shipping was $100 or something stupid so I used plasti dip and about thirty dips to get the thickness I needed.

Vinyl Plastisol. It cures with heat. You heat the part, dip it slowly. Give it time in the soak for the heat to cure the plastisol around the part, then remove it slowly, and bake to cure.

Refer to this recent thread about the same subject.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4634970&postcount=25

 

[creativecars]

Thanks.
I'll order a gallon this summer.

I would like to know how well this stuff works in the real world. It sounds real promising.

 

[brum]

I dipped a ratchet handle probably 5 years ago in plastidip, not aeresol and it's held up okay. I only did one "dip" per say but overall, not bad.

 

[bonneyman]

Some of the tool companies like Klein sell slip on handle covers in various sizes.

Another alternative is heat shrink tubing which should hold up much better then the dip.

I've used the Klein handles. Translucent red. Soak them for 5 minutes in boiling water to soften, then ram onto the handles. Very tough and durable, but not grippy. Any grease on your hands and the tool slips like bare chrome.

 

[stage20]

I've used the Klein handles. Translucent red. Soak them for 5 minutes in boiling water to soften, then ram onto the handles. Very tough and durable, but not grippy. Any grease on your hands and the tool slips like bare chrome.

My first klein adjustable I got for a buck. Near new, shiny chrome. I figured it was china but for a buck whatever. Got home and looked it over and was suprised.

 

[Bighead38]

Bump. Was just wondering about this and did a search before starting a thread. Anyone else done this? Any pics? Any alternatives that work well?

 

[Sine Swept]

My wife uses Plastisol Ink's to make silkscreened t-shirts.

When a shirt is made the ink is cured to 320 f

Before curing this stuff will sit open and not dry out seemingly forever.

 

[gungatim]

I've done a number of pliers handles where the PO took off the original rubber coating or they just wore off. I don't use the liquid, instead, get the can of plasti-dip spray. much easier and quicker to use, just tape off for a nice joint and you don't get the runs.

FWIW, the black I used on several pairs of vintage craftsman pliers are indistinguishable from the ones with the original coating. wears just as well IMO...also it comes in LOTS of colors, not just yellow or black. BTW, it is becoming very popular to "dip your car" with gallons of plastidip you can spray and peel off...extremely durable and resistant.

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

I've got a set of Channellock pliers I bought for a buck at a yard sale that is missing the grips, was thinking about dipping them in "extreme green" to piss off the Snap On fanboys...

 

[four.cycle]

old thread revival!

about 40 years ago I used some stuff made by Duro-Woodhill Corp. called "Dip-n-Grip", which was similar to the product in the first post of this thread: a liquid formula in a pint (or quart) can you dipped tools into. They made it in yellow and red.
I bought two quarts of the yellow and dipped every tool I owned.
Big mistake.
As mentioned above, it was not durable, and worse: every speck of dirt and grease stuck to the stuff and was impossible to remove. If I tried to clean it with paint thinner, gasoline, brake cleaner, or carburetor spray the stuff would get soft and gummy - like bubble-gum.
I am to this day still finding tools that have that **** on them. Now it's hard and brittle and has to be picked off in tiny pieces with a little "pick" tool.
Awful stuff.
Don't do it! Just don't!

 

[KnurledNut]

I use Loctite Color Guard.
Its held up well.
Would definitely recommend as an alternative to PlastiDip.

 

[Roberts210]

This is just my opinion, but I think the EPA has made it impossible for any dip to actually work well on a tool as a grip. I'm thinking for it to work well it should have some nasty chemicals in it--that's generally the case.

 

[paddy1]

Hard to clean and keep tools looking nice. Do the job as a handle grip.

 

[Coach James]

I used red Plasti Dip on several pairs of pliers. I dipped each one three times and went slow per the directions. Each dipping created a thicker coating on the handles. It's held up well for ~ 5 years now.

Coach

 

[KnurledNut]

Hard to clean and keep tools looking nice. Do the job as a handle grip.

A live wire doesnt care about clean and looking nice.

 

[Rarified27]

Thin coats (1-3) on metal work fine, but they're temporary and will need removal and replacement at a rate that matches the use of the tool.

I've used it a few times on a wooden handle and it holds pretty well.

Any time I've dipped anything more than 3 times, the plastic never dries smooth, nor does it truly harden. There's always a spongey-ness to it that makes me feel like it will slide off the handle.

 

[Adohrn]

Tried it and was unimpressed for reasons stated above. Currently finding donor grips at garage sales ect... Sometimes on cheap tools with good grips or nice tools that have been abused like electrocuted. Removing the grips can be hard. What I do is soak is soapy water for a couple of days then run under hot water and carefully use small screwdriver to slide under grip. Pore in dishwasher soap and repeat. Then using a towel for leverage twist back and forth until you break the connection and it should slide off. If I can't break the connection back to the screwdriver with soap. Put the new grips on my grip less tools with appropriate sized handles. Can use dishwasher soap for lubrication for new install. Commonly used technique for installing grips on bicycles. Don't know why this doesn't cause problems but when it dries grips don't slip. Alternately use rtv for lube and as a glue.

 

[gungatim]

Thin coats (1-3) on metal work fine, but they're temporary and will need removal and replacement at a rate that matches the use of the tool.

I've used it a few times on a wooden handle and it holds pretty well.

Any time I've dipped anything more than 3 times, the plastic never dries smooth, nor does it truly harden. There's always a spongey-ness to it that makes me feel like it will slide off the handle.

that's why I prefer the spray. lots of thin spray coats are much easier to get smooth and never had a problem not drying or being spongy. only drawback is it costs more per oz., and once you start spraying a can, you better plan on using it all at once as it will clog as it dries, even if you use a different spray nozzle...

 

[Rarified27]

that's why I prefer the spray. lots of thin spray coats are much easier to get smooth and never had a problem not drying or being spongy. only drawback is it costs more per oz., and once you start spraying a can, you better plan on using it all at once as it will clog as it dries, even if you use a different spray nozzle...

Good to know- I've never tried the spray.

Definitely looking for some this weekend!

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