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Gunsmithing Best release agent for bedding?

rugerdiggs

rugerdiggs

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 8, 2012
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Southeast Oklahoma
Plan on bedding my first rifle soon and wanting to see what the best and easy to come by release agent is and your technique for applying it? Thats what my hold up is cause i dont want my rifle stock and action to be permanently bonded.

Also wanted to ask whats favorite bedding material? Seems like acraglas, devcon, and marine are heavily used but also been reading where some jb weld is being used with good success, please sling your thoughts at me.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

Kiwi neutral shoe polish apply well and buff off works great!
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

johnson's paste wax. It comes in a one pound yellow can, and is available at home depot.

I just smear it on with a rag, let dry, buff and repeat 2 or 3 times.

good luck

derek
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cap'n Crunch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mc Lube spray mold release. </div></div>


Smert feller
smile.gif
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doubledelta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">johnson's paste wax. It comes in a one pound yellow can, and is available at home depot.

I just smear it on with a rag, let dry, buff and repeat 2 or 3 times.

good luck

derek </div></div>

Ditto, that can will last a long loooooong time.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: el gordo2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doubledelta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">johnson's paste wax. It comes in a one pound yellow can, and is available at home depot.

I just smear it on with a rag, let dry, buff and repeat 2 or 3 times.

good luck

derek </div></div>

Ditto, that can will last a long loooooong time. </div></div>

Same here. All the fancy made for release stuff works great also, but cost more, and lasts less. There are some very big name manufacturers using the old Johnson paste wax, and they have been doing so for a very long time. One of the higher costing ones is Synlube 1000. Works great, but at $20.00 a can, I think not. Good luck.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: STR</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: el gordo2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doubledelta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">johnson's paste wax. It comes in a one pound yellow can, and is available at home depot.

I just smear it on with a rag, let dry, buff and repeat 2 or 3 times.

good luck

derek </div></div>

Ditto, that can will last a long loooooong time. </div></div>

Same here. All the fancy made for release stuff works great also, but cost more, and lasts less. There are some very big name manufacturers using the old Johnson paste wax, and they have been doing so for a very long time. One of the higher costing ones is Synlube 1000. Works great, but at $20.00 a can, I think not. Good luck. </div></div>

STR

watched your bedding video about 4:30 this morning and saw you using this but the video i saw didnt show the application of it. But by the looks of the can you had used it several times guessing with great success.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

Other than the mc lube spray looks like wax is the way to go, do you apply the wax with a brush, special technique? How do you know if you have to much or not enough before its to late?
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

What are people using to fill the action and places you don't want the bedding to go?
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

I use devcon, kiwi neutral, and plumbers putty. Works great
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

Thanks,

The rifle i plan on doing first has pillars now but bought a barreled action last night that stock dont, how do you know the length to cut pillars, its going on a commercial mauser, going to try to find a better stock as funds allow but i have an older wooden one that will be used for now, cant hurt it for sure
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rugerdiggs</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: STR</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: el gordo2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doubledelta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">johnson's paste wax. It comes in a one pound yellow can, and is available at home depot.

I just smear it on with a rag, let dry, buff and repeat 2 or 3 times.

good luck

derek </div></div>

Ditto, that can will last a long loooooong time. </div></div>

Same here. All the fancy made for release stuff works great also, but cost more, and lasts less. There are some very big name manufacturers using the old Johnson paste wax, and they have been doing so for a very long time. One of the higher costing ones is Synlube 1000. Works great, but at $20.00 a can, I think not. Good luck. </div></div>

STR

watched your bedding video about 4:30 this morning and saw you using this but the video i saw didnt show the application of it. But by the looks of the can you had used it several times guessing with great success. </div></div>


When I started doing this for business, I always wanted to use the best available, and I did. I would turn away from anything that wasn't designed for just this purpose. Thats why i know the good expensive stuff works great. Well, then I got a golden opportunity to visit McMillan Bros in Arizona. I was introduced to what I believe is McMillan's number one guy in the bedding department. Guess what he uses??? For as long as he can remember, Johnson Paste Wax. I spent three full days with this gentleman. I got to see a bedding job, start to finish. It is a thing of perfection, and beauty. So when I returned home, I used up the expensive stuff I had left, and went to a cheap can of Johnson's Paste Wax.

Sorry I didn't show the application in my video, but I simply use a fine haired brush to apply it with. Let it dry, and buff it off. No need to apply several coats. The only bedding jobs I've seen that are superior, are Chad Dixon's because of those very fancy pillars he uses. I believe in credit where it's due, and Chads bedding jobs are at the top of the chart when you look at fit, and finish.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: C. Dixon</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cap'n Crunch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mc Lube spray mold release. </div></div>


Smert feller
smile.gif
</div></div>

+1 - What they said.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: STR</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rugerdiggs</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: STR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
el gordo2 said:
doubledelta said:
johnson's paste wax. It comes in a one pound yellow can, and is available at home depot.

I just smear it on with a rag, let dry, buff and repeat 2 or 3 times.

good luck

derek

Same here. All the fancy made for release stuff works great also, but cost more, and lasts less. There are some very big name manufacturers using the old Johnson paste wax, and they have been doing so for a very long time. One of the higher costing ones is Synlube 1000. Works great, but at $20.00 a can, I think not. Good luck. </div></div>

STR

watched your bedding video about 4:30 this morning and saw you using this but the video i saw didnt show the application of it. But by the looks of the can you had used it several times guessing with great success. </div></div>


When I started doing this for business, I always wanted to use the best available, and I did. I would turn away from anything that wasn't designed for just this purpose. Thats why i know the good expensive stuff works great. Well, then I got a golden opportunity to visit McMillan Bros in Arizona. I was introduced to what I believe is McMillan's number one guy in the bedding department. Guess what he uses??? For as long as he can remember, Johnson Paste Wax. I spent three full days with this gentleman. I got to see a bedding job, start to finish. It is a thing of perfection, and beauty. So when I returned home, I used up the expensive stuff I had left, and went to a cheap can of Johnson's Paste Wax.

Sorry I didn't show the application in my video, but I simply use a fine haired brush to apply it with. Let it dry, and buff it off. No need to apply several coats. The only bedding jobs I've seen that are superior, are Chad Dixon's because of those very fancy pillars he uses. I believe in credit where it's due, and Chads bedding jobs are at the top of the chart when you look at fit, and finish. </div></div>

How heavy do you put it on, how long do you let it dry and do i need to be concerned on buffing it back off? Sorry i live out in the sticks and have zero experience with waxing anything.

Sorry for all the questions thanks to all that has helped me once again.

Also wanted to ask what everyone's thoughts is on JB weld for bedding, the reason i ask is cause i would like to try this when i get off monday or tuesday and there is now place around here that has marine tex, devcon, or acraglas. thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

Although I have never used it, I have seen others use JM Weld, and it did seem to work just fine. It is an epoxy which gets rock hard, and sticks to a lot is surfaces, so I don't see the harm in trying it if its what you have easy access to. I personally have used the most popular epoxys, but for a long time now have been using marine tex. Remember, epoxy, good working time, cures hard as a rock, stable/low shrink, easy to apply, sticks to anything, and resists most chemicals it will encounter. If you have all these covered, you should be fine.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jgerrington</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use devcon, kiwi neutral, and plumbers putty. Works great </div></div>

+1
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: easygoose</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jgerrington</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use devcon, kiwi neutral, and plumbers putty. Works great </div></div>

+1 </div></div>

I wonder what you are going to sell once you hit 100 posts... Only 29 posts today alone
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laugh.gif
laugh.gif
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

There's a perk or three with PVA. It dries to a translucent blue film, so you can see what you've covered with release agent, & what you haven't. A couple of coats & you're GTG. => => PVA
Plus, of course, it was originally designed as a mold release agent. And it's also water soluble, so if a part sticks, get some H2O & run it between the stuck parts. The PVA more or less melts, & poof - things are free.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rugerdiggs</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry but what does PVA stand for </div></div>

polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl acetate. One is generally used for mold release and one is generally used for vacuum bagging.

I always liked Stoner dry film aresol myself.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

I would try to get the JB Weld idea out of your head. Marine Tex is my compound of choice. Kiwi nutural works great. Put it on like car wax and then buff it out with a soft cloth. What you see is what you get. If you have build up whether it be wax or spray liquid it will show up in the bedding. I recently did a Defiance action that was polished up like chrome and my bedding came out just as slick and shiny as the action. (only black
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

Brownells offers an aerosol spray (release compound) Haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I do have it.
 
ACRAGLAS

One more reality about using ACRAGLAS:

If you actually poured a block of ACRAGLAS, and compared it with a lot of the other bedding compounds here's what you find:

take a serious ball peen hammer and beat on the clocks. You'll find ACRAGLAS holds up better than most and it's why I use it on Semi Auto rifles in wood stocks (Garands and M1As). Again, by chance the first M1A I ever did Devine #2070 was mine and I used ACRAGLAS. That bedding compound lasted 2 and 1/2 barrels. Figure it out. a good barrel properly used and maintained will last 7-10,000 rounds. The stuff can't be beat for a rifle that will produce and pound the bedding compound like a Garand or 14 type.

BUT, it's tricky, very fluid and when I do a 14 type, I do it in 4 stages which has always worked well over 37 years of working on them. See previous notes. For a Bolt gun, Marine Tex (McMillan uses it), ACRAGEL and so on. Bolt rifles do not pound the bedding the way semi auto does, well unless you have a BIG BORE rifle in a light set-up chuckle. I have seen a Remington Model rebarreled for .375... no, didn't shoot it.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TacticalMirage</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Pam cooking spray has always worked awesome for me. </div></div>

ditto, Pam olive oil! nothing will stick!
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

Trouble with Pam, beside mixing with the epoxy and weakening the surface, it pools and cause unsightly voids in the surface. Like hydraulic dents when you use too much lube. A hard wax or polished off release gives a tighter bed.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: *Straight Shooter*</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Trouble with Pam, beside mixing with the epoxy and weakening the surface, it pools and cause unsightly voids in the surface. Like hydraulic dents when you use too much lube. A hard wax or polished off release gives a tighter bed. </div></div>

Or a clean coat of release compound of the aerosol spray would work nicely. I have the spray, but haven't tried it yet. I won't go into all the things I've tried. Chuckle.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: *Straight Shooter*</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would try to get the JB Weld idea out of your head. Marine Tex is my compound of choice. Kiwi nutural works great. Put it on like car wax and then buff it out with a soft cloth. What you see is what you get. If you have build up whether it be wax or spray liquid it will show up in the bedding. I recently did a Defiance action that was polished up like chrome and my bedding came out just as slick and shiny as the action. (only black </div></div>

I have most bedding compounds available, but Marine Tex is really nice, but for the gas guns (M14 type and Garands), good old fashioned ACRAGLAS is still the best, it takes the abuse far better than anything else available. I know, I've worked on these rifles since 1975. McMillan uses Marine Tex, but I know the testing Brownells did with all the bedding compounds to see how tough they really are for abusive weapons with constant recoil. With real M14s done mil spec, it was either Fenwall or Devcon, I don't care for either, they just had to be done that way. Personally, for a bolt rifle, Marine Tex. I have an '03 to do with a really sorry stock (oil impregnated and spongy), and that one I'll still to ACRAGLAS once I get the excess oil out of the stock. Sorry guys, I'm just a service rifle guy, most of the time. I have an M82 I have to work on this winter for a guy.
 
Re: Best release agent for bedding?

I've bedded four rifles using Acraglas Gel bedding kits. I used the release agent that came in the kit every time. Works very well, easy to use and very durable.
I did my winchester Model 70 about 30 years ago and it works and looks as good now as it did then.
 
tipper said:
You got good advice on what to use, it was not JB Weld.

Order Devcon 10110 from Grainger's on 11-1 at noon was on doorstep 11-2 at 2pm,
Here is link, but I did call to order, told them I needed it now shipping was $9.23

DEVCON Putty,Steel,1 Lb - Putties - 5A453|10110 - Grainger Industrial Supply
Click to expand...

I know this is an old thread... as usual, I'm a few days behind! LOL.

I'm want to bed an old ruger wood stock as my first(I tend to screw things up a lot). I couldn't find where it mentions adhesion to wood. If I give it some crevasses(had to look up how to spell that one) to seep into, you think it'll still work?

Thanks! -Kid
 
Kid_Lefty said:
I know this is an old thread... as usual, I'm a few days behind! LOL.

I'm want to bed an old ruger wood stock as my first(I tend to screw things up a lot). I couldn't find where it mentions adhesion to wood. If I give it some crevasses(had to look up how to spell that one) to seep into, you think it'll still work?

Thanks! -Kid
Click to expand...

When i bed wood stocks I make sure the finish in the areas where Im bedding is gone. I've never had a problem with the bedding this way but you can use a small drill bit and in the recoil lug area and back tang area drill some small holes to help give it a little better hold. You'll want to install some aluminum pillars also.

Casey
 
I've picked up devcon, plumbers putty, and kiwi neutral shoe polish... Going to take a shot at it this week! Thanks to everyone who posts their experiences! Really helps us newbys by removing some of the nerves/fear of the unknown.

-Kid
 
Paste wad for release...
I used acraglas for a while,then steel bed...
Had a few guys that didn't like the grey color so I went to the gel...
I could sprinkle a bit of Rit dye in and they could be happy...
Been using the gel for quite some time now,don't know if it's better or worse,I've never used other types of epoxy...but I've always been pleased with the end results...
 
PVA is and will always be the best answer to the original question.
 
doubledelta said:
johnson's paste wax. It comes in a one pound yellow can, and is available at home depot.

I just smear it on with a rag, let dry, buff and repeat 2 or 3 times.

good luck

derek
Click to expand...

Can also be found at any grocery store. Floor care products.

Have seen JB Weld for wood but it still only has a 5 minute working time.
 
The last one I did I ended up using some rem dry film lube as a release agent. It left a little chalky film that wiped off but otherwise worked perfect.
 
I use bacon grease for my customers they really like that bacon smell once the rifle warms up (or butter for the vegetarians) :D

Any silicon oil will work very well as a release agent just don't be shy in the application of it and don't drown it either.
 
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