Acraglas Gel Thinner-- What is it really???

DeBee · September 14, 2000, 10:23 PM

Somewhere I must have missed this one in the gunsmith tips and tricks...

Brownell's offers "new" Acraglas thinner/solvent in a quart can for $12. Is this something special or is it just some common solvent available in the paint store?

George Stringer · September 15, 2000, 10:18 PM

DeeBee, I really have no idea and (while I'm sure they have a good reason) can't imagine why they would market such a product. The thing that makes Accra-Gel so great is it's consistency. If you want to use something that flows I'd just use Accra-Glass. I keep both in the shop as well as Steel Bed. George

DeBee · September 16, 2000, 09:58 AM

Thanks George-- Brownell's is marketing it because it's probably something very common and they can slap on their sticker and double the price and someone like me might very well order it! Anyway, I have two reasons to thin the stuff:

I need better flow characteristics to fill a cavity in a synthetic stock and I'm too cheap to buy Accraglas because I have lots of Accragel AND Steel Bed (I love it too) and

I remember reading somewhere you could thin the epoxy into a stock finish and weatherproof the inside (and outside if you wanted to) of a wood stock...

Epoxy thinner-- what is it? Laquer Thinner? Methanol? Acetone? Anyone see this in Gunsmith Kinks II or III perhaps? I looked in I with no luck...

weegee · September 17, 2000, 12:54 AM

DeBee, you've asked a question I've been wanting answered,too. I guess the only thing to do at this point is to try some common solvents and see if the stuff sets up as desired.

You might start with denatured alcohol--I use it to wipe up uncured epoxies and it works great. Also, Sears sells an epoxy "thinner/solvent" that I have yet to try. And I know acetone can be used to thin epoxy, but only if used in very small amounts.

Now tht you've reminded me, I may have to try a couple of things this weekend and see what happens...

VaughnT · September 17, 2000, 02:48 PM

Debee, the thinned epoxy you refer to is known as the Massey Finish, after a noted Alaskan bowyer who used it to great success in the wet north.

1 part two-ton epoxy to 4 or 5 parts thinner (mineral spirits, etc). Apply in coats, sanding gently between coats.

For more on this subject, from people who are experts at the application of the Massey finish, drop on it to the Leatherwall at stickbow.com. There you will find all manner of wood specialists who know what it takes to keep water out of wood.

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September 14, 2000, 10:23 PM	#1
DeBee Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 1999 Posts: 408	Somewhere I must have missed this one in the gunsmith tips and tricks... Brownell's offers "new" Acraglas thinner/solvent in a quart can for $12. Is this something special or is it just some common solvent available in the paint store?

September 15, 2000, 10:18 PM	#2
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	DeeBee, I really have no idea and (while I'm sure they have a good reason) can't imagine why they would market such a product. The thing that makes Accra-Gel so great is it's consistency. If you want to use something that flows I'd just use Accra-Glass. I keep both in the shop as well as Steel Bed. George

September 16, 2000, 09:58 AM	#3
DeBee Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 1999 Posts: 408	Thanks George-- Brownell's is marketing it because it's probably something very common and they can slap on their sticker and double the price and someone like me might very well order it! Anyway, I have two reasons to thin the stuff: I need better flow characteristics to fill a cavity in a synthetic stock and I'm too cheap to buy Accraglas because I have lots of Accragel AND Steel Bed (I love it too) and I remember reading somewhere you could thin the epoxy into a stock finish and weatherproof the inside (and outside if you wanted to) of a wood stock... Epoxy thinner-- what is it? Laquer Thinner? Methanol? Acetone? Anyone see this in Gunsmith Kinks II or III perhaps? I looked in I with no luck...

September 17, 2000, 12:54 AM	#4
weegee Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 1999 Posts: 195	DeBee, you've asked a question I've been wanting answered,too. I guess the only thing to do at this point is to try some common solvents and see if the stuff sets up as desired. You might start with denatured alcohol--I use it to wipe up uncured epoxies and it works great. Also, Sears sells an epoxy "thinner/solvent" that I have yet to try. And I know acetone can be used to thin epoxy, but only if used in very small amounts. Now tht you've reminded me, I may have to try a couple of things this weekend and see what happens...

September 17, 2000, 02:48 PM	#5
VaughnT Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2000 Location: Western SC Posts: 663	Debee, the thinned epoxy you refer to is known as the Massey Finish, after a noted Alaskan bowyer who used it to great success in the wet north. 1 part two-ton epoxy to 4 or 5 parts thinner (mineral spirits, etc). Apply in coats, sanding gently between coats. For more on this subject, from people who are experts at the application of the Massey finish, drop on it to the Leatherwall at stickbow.com. There you will find all manner of wood specialists who know what it takes to keep water out of wood. ------------------ When Reason Fails.....