Tool Grip Material

[Randyjaco]

I have several pliers and other tools that the rubber grips are missing or have deteriorated. I am hoping to find something along the lines of PlastiDip, but more durable. Any suggestions would be appreciated

[Tim KS]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKZX4_kLmVk

[toprecycler]

I stretched a tight piece of rubber hose over the end of a pair of pliers I use on the lathe to remove swarf. So far has been working about 6 months. I have had the plastic dip type stuff fail in short time before. Probably didn’t put enough layers on.



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[dubby]

I've never had much luck with plastidip, but for some reason I keep trying. It's almost like the metal needs some sort of primer to get the initial adhesion going, but I've not found anything that works.

I have had better luck with their 'spray on' products. I've used it on car parts, including the hood of our little Honda Element. Never tried it on tools because it seems that it takes forever to really build up a useful layer that would make a tool grip. Never thought to do an initial coating of the spray, let it cure out, and then dip it though.

I sorta quit worrying about it really and now have a drawer full of crap I never use. I've slowly been making the switch to Knipex stuff with the hope that it'll outlast the years/work I have left to do. So far that plan is working well--most of them are in a waxed canvas bag that I can't ever find when I need pliers.

[greywynd]

Several layers of heatshrink tubing?


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[slip knot]

what about bed liner material. it seems pretty robust to the elements, should hold up ok to pliers usage.

[toprecycler]

Maybe one other thing to help, if using Bedliner or plastic dip is to rough up the surface with sandpaper, or hard wheel grinder. Give the paint something to stick to.


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[flametamer]

I haven't personally tried this yet, but 1 should do several small tools.

Dt

[Randyjaco]

Thanks for the replies. I tried some of your suggestions and found that I preferred the shrink wrap tube. The Plasti-dip worked OK, but I don't think it is particularly durable. The one place it shined, was overcoating plastic coating that was starting to deteriorate. The big negative to Plasti-dip is the cost. There is a lot of waste. I am curious how long an opened can will last. The shrink wrap is pretty quick and easy. It is also cheap with very little waste. I found that the thicker wall shrink wrap works best. The group pictures show tools coated with Plasti-dip. All were coated twice and some were coated over existing plastic coating. The pictures of the single pliers were done with shrink tubing.

I have ordered some extra thick shrink tubing. I will let y'all know how it works.

[arizonian]

Putting my .02 in, having never used PlastiDip, I would clean the handles with Brakleen to remove ALL the residue before applying. It won't help the toughness of the coatings, but it will increase the grip.