Hate to do this... but I need micarta scales tips and tricks

BRL

BRL

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Apr 27, 2011
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So the scales that came with my BK10 are, uh, a little on the rough side. In fact, they are in no way ready for prime time. So I did some searching and digging, but couldn't find anything useful as far as a beginner's lesson on what kinds of things to do with micarta scales to nice 'em up. It seems like everybody already knows.

I've seen stuff about dyeing (but then do they need some sort of sealer?), soaking in oil (what does this do?), filing, sanding... anyone care to give me a cluepon? Tips and tricks would be much appreciated. The micarta on my phat bob is so perfect and polished, so I know the material can clean up nice, but how do I get there?
 
I usually just sand them with 150 to remove the ridges. It makes em' more ergonomic/comfortable and makes the Micarta look better.


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I was gonna say the same thing. I just did a set today. The ones I got with my 10 seemed to be way over sized for it so I wouldn't worry about taking off to much material on them. Take pix though :)
 
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Ok, so all micarta is, is some sort of fabric or paper petrified with resin and pressure. You can dye the tips of the medium inside the resin, and if you mess up or decide you dont like it, sand the top layer off. Aside from reshaping, you can use different grit sand paper to reach the desired finish you want. Again, its already in resin, so it will shine if you keep moving up the grit scale. If you reach 2000, most likely you should have an extremely glossy finish, but I'm not sure anyone here has done that. For mine I use 150 grit as well to take the edges and lines off, then dye them the desired color or leave them, and then rub a couple layers or Hope's Tung Oil on them to protect from moisture, as well as darken up the color. Oil tends to give a good rich dark color. You can use mineral oil as well, both oils with "soften" the feel of the micarta to almost a velvety touch.

Good luck and keep asking questions! It's how we all learned!
 
you don't have to seal it when dye'ing it with rit fabric dye. it won't bleed on your hand or anything like that. i've dye'd a lot of clothes black with it and i tossed it in the washing machine with my whites with no problem at all. as for sanding down micarta, be careful not to breath in the dust since it's toxic (i didn't sleep at the holiday inn last night but i read that warning here often though).
 
JV3 said:
you don't have to seal it when dye'ing it with rit fabric dye. it won't bleed on your hand or anything like that. i've dye'd a lot of clothes black with it and i tossed it in the washing machine with my whites with no problem at all. as for sanding down micarta, be careful not to breath in the dust since it's toxic (i didn't sleep at the holiday inn last night but i read that warning here often though).
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All dust for that matter, wood dust is real bad for you, some species worse than others. G10, micarta also bad. Respirator good.
 
I use 220grit 3m wet or dry sandpaper on mine, I also run them under water while sanding......comes out pretty damn sweet

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One trick I have been using to shine them up a little. Take some beeswax and mix it with some mineral spirits in a container. The spirits melt the wax and forms a paste. I keep mine in a little metal tin with the lid on, lasts a long time.

Wipe down your scales, let it dry and buff to a shine. Usually apply a couple coats, reapply as needed.

The mixture will darken the scales at first..dont panic, after the mineral spirits evaporate and leave the wax ,it will lighten back up !
 
good thread, mine came the same way and being a relative becker noob i had the same questions. also, can grivory be sanded/smoothed out in similar fashion? i quite like the camillus grivory, which i did not expect at all. little rough around the edges though, so was thinking bout touching them up too.
 
beestokk said:
good thread, mine came the same way and being a relative becker noob i had the same questions. also, can grivory be sanded/smoothed out in similar fashion? i quite like the camillus grivory, which i did not expect at all. little rough around the edges though, so was thinking bout touching them up too.
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They can definitely be sanded, I ain't too sure if they can be sanded to a gloss. I don't think so tho...



Nice scales NTS!!!! Might to do a pair of mine. What was your final grit?
 
I got a pair of micarta that I started with 220grit and worked up to 1500grit, they come out pretty nice but there slick.....I ended up selling them
 
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