What to use for bedding compound?

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Iron Sighted

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So I have decided that I will finally get around to attempting to bed my Norc receiver to my USGI fiberglass stock. This will be my first attempt at bedding a rifle, hopefully I don't screw it up too bad.

Anyway, I'm wondering what you guys who have done this before would recommend as a bedding compound? I also plan to fill the selector switch cut-out, and I understand there is also some more filling that needs to be done to keep the op rod spring guide connector from falling out during operation? Do I use the same stuff for all this? Oh, and what should I use as a release agent?

If anyone has any links to some tutorials or demos of this work, or any tips they want to pass my way I'd be grateful(I have checked/know about the stickied threads in this forum).

Thanks in advance for any replies!
 
The classic bedding material is Brownells Acraglas gel. But hard to find here but it can be done. Marinetex and Devcon work really well as well. I've used Pam cooking spray as a release agent but it's smelly and awful stuff to use. You can also use any fiberglass mold release agent. My favorite that I use all the time now is a good carnauba car wax. Get it on everywhere, buff it and then put a second coat on and lightly buff.. Leaves the epoxy bedding just like a mirror when the action is pulled out. You can also use Johnson floor wax.

I'll try and find some online tutorials when I have more time.
 
Thanks, any idea of where in Canada I might find an acraglas kit? I suppose I could order direct from Brownells, are they able to ship that stuff to Canada? I've had issues getting certain fletching adhesives for my arrows sent to me from the U.S.(I presume because they were flammable or something?), not sure if acraglas would be the same kind of thing?

I have another question that I forgot to ask in my original post, I'd also like to paint my stock when I have finished the bedding and filling work, thinking an olive drab or desert tan would look nice, what would you guys suggest I use for a paint? And what is the best method of removing the original brown paint?

Again, thanks all for any assistance offered.
 
Arma-Coat are the friendly neighborhood gun painting experts. http://www.arma-coat.ca/ They sell some kits that are apparently very easy to use.

Down in the States lots of people use Cerakote and Duracoat, but the supply of that stuff is a bit limited in Canada it seems. Plus the Canadian alternative seems to work just as well.
 
I'm assuming this is a USGI fiberglass stock?
I have refinished well over 200 of them ;)
I use
A mouse sander with 80 grit to remove any loose paint and rough the surface for primer. With a mouse sander, 80 grit is all you need. Any other sanding method I've tried leaves fine scratches that show up even better after a nice paint job hehehe

Then I use Goop Marine epoxy paste, availlable at RONA or some marine shops (about 17.00 a box)
This stuff works excellent to fill scratches and gouges as well as perfect for filling the full auto recesses of the GI stock.
Sands and shapes extremly well and is impervious to greases, oils and water.
Then for a low cost but functional finish, spray with 3 light, even coats of Krylon grey primer followed by your choice of colors of Krylon camo paint. Let that cure for a day or so and hit it with 3 or 4 coats of RONA brand matte clear laquer.

The goop marine epoxy bonds extremely well to the usgi stocks composite material and also functions well as a bedding compound for these stocks as well.

What I don't like about the "armacoat" finish is the necessity to media blast the stock first... Fiberglass does not like being media blasted and the overall result I've seen is just not up to par with the cost of having it done.

Another very viable option is to see if Cobra Imaging is still around in BC somewhere and have your stock and handgaurd Hydro dipped after filling and detailing.

Hope that helps ya
 
45ACPKING said:
I'm assuming this is a USGI fiberglass stock?
I have refinished well over 200 of them ;)
I use a mouse sander with 80 grit to remove any loose paint and rough the surface for primer. With a mouse sander, 80 grit is all you need. Any other sanding method I've tried leaves fine scratches that show up even better after a nice paint job hehehe

Then I use Goop Marine epoxy paste, availlable at RONA or some marine shops (about 17.00 a box). This stuff works excellent to fill scratches and gouges as well as perfect for filling the full auto recesses of the GI stock. Sands and shapes extremly well and is impervious to greases, oils and water.

Then for a low cost but functional finish, spray with 3 light, even coats of Krylon grey primer followed by your choice of colors of Krylon camo paint. Let that cure for a day or so and hit it with 3 or 4 coats of RONA brand matte clear laquer.

...

Hope that helps ya
Click to expand...

The voice of experience. Glad to learn there are alternatives to Acraglass. What do you you for mould release?
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
The voice of experience. Glad to learn there are alternatives to Acraglass. What do you you for mould release?
Click to expand...

Believe it or not... The grease I use on my rifle ;)
The beauty of the Goop marine epoxy is that it will cure against, but not stick to a thin layer of grease. Stuff even cures under water. I just make sure the parts have been greased, then wipe it all away leaving only a residue. Works great
Or, use one of the wax type release agents.
 
Thanks everyone, I'm off to the big city(Grande Prairie, lol) in about an hour, hopefully I can find either the Goop or Acraglas there. Try to pick up some paint as well.(and maybe a mouse sander).

If I strike out there I'll see if the people at Corlanes in Dawson Creek have anything when I stop in to buy my hunting license and tags.
 
45ACPKING said:
Believe it or not... The grease I use on my rifle ;)
The beauty of the Goop marine epoxy is that it will cure against, but not stick to a thin layer of grease. Stuff even cures under water. I just make sure the parts have been greased, then wipe it all away leaving only a residue. Works great
Or, use one of the wax type release agents.
Click to expand...

It works well on other materials, did not know they have a marine version
 
All I have found so far is Goop marine adhesive, not epoxy, says it has extreme flex so I assume this is definitely not the stuff I'm looking for.

Looks as though I may be ordering whatever I decide to use.
 
If you don't find that stuff head to Peavey Mart on the westside and in the welding section :))) they have the bigger 10 oz JB Weld boxes for $17. That's all I use for bedding and it does an excellent job. Release agents are an easy one. Anything that leaves a thin film will work. Ive been using gunstock wax with excellent results. Also try Barton's, they may just have acraglas but don't quote me on that.

Iron Sighted said:
Thanks everyone, I'm off to the big city(Grande Prairie, lol) in about an hour, hopefully I can find either the Goop or Acraglas there. Try to pick up some paint as well.(and maybe a mouse sander).

If I strike out there I'll see if the people at Corlanes in Dawson Creek have anything when I stop in to buy my hunting license and tags.
Click to expand...
 
supernova said:
If you don't find that stuff head to Peavey Mart on the westside and in the welding section :))) they have the bigger 10 oz JB Weld boxes for $17. That's all I use for bedding and it does an excellent job. Release agents are an easy one. Anything that leaves a thin film will work. Ive been using gunstock wax with excellent results. Also try Barton's, they may just have acraglas but don't quote me on that.
Click to expand...

Will do, thanks for the heads up, you guys are awesome!
 
It used to be called Goop Marine Fixfast epoxy paste. It is made by Eclectic. Sourced wholesale thru western chemical supply if you bug your local hardware guy he can easily order it.
It is now just called goop marine epoxy paste. Once you use it.... You will never go back to JB hehehe although, JB certainly gets the job done.
I'll post a pic of the box in a bit.
Most major hardware outfits don't carry it. RONA however generally does.
Canadian tire or home hardware for krylon products

allwaysfishin
 
45ACPKING said:
It used to be called Goop Marine Fixfast epoxy paste. It is made by Eclectic. Sourced wholesale thru western chemical supply if you bug your local hardware guy he can easily order it.
It is now just called goop marine epoxy paste. Once you use it.... You will never go back to JB hehehe although, JB certainly gets the job done.
I'll post a pic of the box in a bit.
Most major hardware outfits don't carry it. RONA however generally does.
Canadian tire or home hardware for krylon products

allwaysfishin
Click to expand...

Good idea will check with RONA..
 
Couldn't find the Goop Marine epoxy at Rona, but I did manage a one stop shop at Canadian Tire, got the paint, primer and JB Weld there. I'll try the Goop next time around when I have enough money to buy another M305, budget is a bit tight right now and I still have some stuff to buy for my current one.

For everyone else in the Grande Prairie area, I checked at Barton's for Acraglas, and though they usually carry it they are currently out of stock, but they do have another companies bedding kit for about $45. I decided to go the budget route with the JB Weld.

Thanks everyone, now stay tuned for the "Help, I've welded my receiver to my stock!" thread lol.
 
I used Devcon and kiwi clear shoe polish as release agend with good results. Devcon can be found at acklands-grainer industrial supplies,the kiwi was from walmart.
CG
 
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