Hey guys, got a question. I'm fixing up a friends Gerber Gator lockback and it has some paint on the rubber grips. I was wondering, if and how to remove the paint without damaging the rubber. I don't want to use something that will dissolve the rubber too. Any suggestions?
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Removing Paint From Rubber Handle
- Thread starter Bighaze51
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- Apr 12, 2009
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I don't think the Gerber Gator's rubber handle (may also be something called 'Kraton', IIRC) will be damaged much, if at all, by some sparing use of paint thinner or mineral spirits. Being a relatively modern knife, most synthetics these days are engineered to be pretty resistant to most common solvents, at a minimum.
You might just moisten a rag with paint thinner or mineral spirits (or even a Q-tip, if the paint spots are minimal), and scrub the handle with it. No need to soak it, most likely; that's the only thing that might damage it, if it were immersed or soaked for a lengthy time.
The paint might also be loosened up with some WD-40, which also is quite mild and shouldn't damage it. Use it the same way as described above.
David
You might just moisten a rag with paint thinner or mineral spirits (or even a Q-tip, if the paint spots are minimal), and scrub the handle with it. No need to soak it, most likely; that's the only thing that might damage it, if it were immersed or soaked for a lengthy time.
The paint might also be loosened up with some WD-40, which also is quite mild and shouldn't damage it. Use it the same way as described above.
David
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If youre talking about latex paint, Ive had good luck with Motsenbockers Lift Off 5 on wood surfaces. Ive never used it on rubber, but the package states that its for use on rubber, too (of course, with the disclaimer to test on an inconspicuous area prior to application).
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^^Curious thing about the Motsenbocker's Lift Off 5, the MSDS for it lists one of the ingredients as acetone (<5%), in spite of being advertised as 'water based'. Don't know if that acetone concentration would be strong enough to damage the rubber handle on the knife, but acetone can be tough on some plastics. I'm assuming it's what's being used to dissolve or break down the latex (rubber by another name?) in the paint. If tried, it does seem like the caution to test it on a small & inconspicuous area would be a good idea.
David
David
Last edited:
Why didn't I think of that!
thanks guys. I haven't had a chance to mess with it yet. I just wasn't sure and didn't want to damage someone else's knife. I'll try some WD-40 first and see how that goes