Gunsmithing Brownells glassbed kit

[kaput]

So, I have a little question. Who has used this stuff? It comes in a kit with with pre-colored epoxy that has two pouches you squeeze together, sand paper, Q-tips/applicators, release agent, and instructions. I tried to use this kit last night to bed a carry handle scope to my AR. The only problem I encountered is that even though I followed the instructions and gave it a little more cure time than suggested, the glassbed only stuck where I put release agent. That means pretty much everywhere I didn't want it. Now I have a nice clean scope mount and a mucked up carry handle. Could I have used too much release agent?

http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=q5-VTtXGFoqesQKLx7HvAQ&ved=0CDsQ8wIwBA

 

[bricktop]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

That sounds about right, I've never had any luck with the release agent included in those kits. Better off using Kiwi natural shoe polish as a release agent.

 

[kaput]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

So this is expected? Crap. Oh well, live and learn. I should have tested it on something else first. Typically I've been using acraglass and page wax, but the kit deal was all the local shop had at the time.

 

[flyrodder]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

I've used the Acraglas kit (which sounds like it might be a different kit - mine came with two tubs of bedding components, release agent, a mixing cup and measuring spoon, brown and black dye, and detailed instructions) on two rifles and it worked well both times. I put two coats of release agent on per the directions. I did notice the release agent forms a film that can flake off in some places.

 

[kaput]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyrodder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've used the Acraglas kit (which sounds like it might be a different kit - mine came with two tubs of bedding components, release agent, a mixing cup and measuring spoon, brown and black dye, and detailed instructions) on two rifles and it worked well both times. I put two coats of release agent on per the directions. I did notice the release agent forms a film that can flake off in some places. </div></div>

What color is the release agent your kit came with? When it flakes is it rubbery or like dried flaking paint?

 

[flyrodder]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

It was blue - looks like thin locktite. It forms a somewhat flaky, somewhat elastic film. Pain to get off in some places, falls off in others. I think water helps with removal.

 

[Mark Housel]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyrodder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It was blue - looks like thin locktite. It forms a somewhat flaky, somewhat elastic film. Pain to get off in some places, falls off in others. I think water helps with removal. </div></div>

I used that stuff exactly once. It released OK, but what a mess to clean up. Little flakes of that crap spewed around and stuck everywhere.
Ditched it and went back to straight Carnuba wax.

 

[jasonZ]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

So is acraglass good or bad? I'm contemplating ordering something to do a bedding job with and I'm not sure what is easiest. I guess I'll just get devcon.

 

[Mark Housel]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TacticalJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So is acraglass good or bad? I'm contemplating ordering something to do a bedding job with and I'm not sure what is easiest. I guess I'll just get devcon. </div></div>Acraglas is itself OK but it is quite liquid compared to Devcon, Marine-Tex, Pro Bed, etc.
And its working time is shorter.

It is nice for wood stocks if you want the wood to show through.

For most things I would use something else.

 

[stockdoc]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

I have bedded rifles with acraglas and after a while the pad under the front action screw gets soft from cleaning solvents leaking through the hole into the pad. Marinetex is a much better product and won't soften up if solvents get on it. As far as release agent I use carnauba car wax. Its cheap, a small jar lasts forever and I've never had a gun stick while using it.

 

[azimutha]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

I've had the best results with Devcon 10110, but had to order it online. I just use clear shoe polish as the release agent.

 

[Mark Housel]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: stockdoc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As far as release agent I use carnauba car wax. Its cheap, <span style="font-weight: bold">a small jar lasts forever</span> and I've never had a gun stick while using it. </div></div>

This, for sure. ^^^^^^^

The $12 can I bought nearly 3 years ago probably has about 9,867 rifles left in it.

And, I can always keep my XX waXXed in the mean time.

 

[kaput]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

I spoke with brownells today and later found my stupidity. Apparently the release agent needed to dry more. I let it dry to touch and then re-coated some spots. Some of the under coating must not have completely dried so when I applied pressure it pushed it off the surface. I even found the drying time in the directions. Lack of experience with the product and trying to rush the work led to poor results. At least the Brownells technician gave me some handy advice for cleaning the mess. With heat the stuff can be coaxed into flaking off. Already got a bit of it off. I think the next time I'll just stick to products and procedures I know.

Thanks for the advice everybody.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

I was going to tell you just that. Brownell's provides an industry standard Polyvinyl Acetate suspension as their release agent, and it works well when used properly.

Instructions with my kit directs the use of rubbing alcohol, etc. as a cleanup agent and/or release agent thinner, and it has always worked very well for me.

Used according to isntructions, Brownell's Accraglass Gel has always worked and never failed for me.

By following a policy of optimizing my bedding technique to result in the thinnest possible bedding agent thickness; I have never had to resort to any other bedding agent.

Greg

 

[Big Cal]

Re: Brownells glassbed kit

I'm a devcon fan too it's awesome stuff I use clear shoe polish aswell as a release agent and a bit of electrical tape to cover trigger and 4 thicknesses of tape around barrel infront of recoil lug to not affect the barrel floating then just trim all the excess as the epoxy goes rubbery when it's curing the biggest thing is to make sure the action screws aren't rubbing on anything or that will affect your accuracy and your wasting your time once epoxy has fully cured remove action to check then reinstall and torque to 32in/lbs hope this helps