Coatings for degraded plastic on handles? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2025, 10:38:26 pm
content: I have several tools and bikes where the plastic on the handles has degraded. It’s not cracking or falling apart. Instead, it’s gotten sticky, and the residue comes off on the hands. My solution so far has been duct tape, but is there a better fix?Mike

author: George Edmonds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2025, 10:58:59 pm
content: HiSelf adhesive heat shrink tubingG Edmonds

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 01:32:37 am
content: Heat shrink can work in a few cases. But often, geometry makes it impossible to slide the unshrunk tubing over the handle. Mike

author: George Edmonds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 01:46:51 am
content: HiIn that case self amalgamating tape may help as once cured it is effectively solid rubberG Edmonds

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 01:53:30 am
content: I don't like liquid rubber which I tried on a few tools but I did wonder if I wrapped it in thin rope (neatly) and then used liquid rubber if it would be any good. Kind of like a knife blade, which they use shellac for, or sometimes I believe cork instead of rope (disks of cork), or bark, or leatherI think the commonly suggested suggestions I find for fixing them are low quality

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 01:57:24 am
content: Rawhide. Rustic but provides a good grip, and when used as a strip wrapping adapts to a wide variety of shapes. Applied soaking wet it shrinks as it dries. The wetness could an issue in some applications.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 02:00:53 am
content: Plastisol is pretty much the standard for dip-coating. Available at most industrial suppliers.https://www.theprotechgroup.com/brands/plastisol/

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 02:22:32 am
content: I've found some references that say IPA should be able to strip the coating off.

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 07:48:59 am
content: Thanks for the replies so far. However, dipping isn’t feasible in many cases. Example is grip just down from gasoline motor on weed whackers or power pruners. Need something that can be painted or sprayed on. Removal of the sticky handle covers would be easy … no problem. But in many cases, obtaining and installing the replacements would be expensive and laborious … duct tape is a better option than that. Trying to remove just the sticky layer with solvents hasn't worked. The solvents create a deeper sticky layer.Mike

author: thephil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 04:02:27 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on April 24, 2025, 02:22:32 amI have read that advice, too. In my hands, the results were "wanting" to put it mildly. So I was dreaming of a bottle or spray-can ofPhil's Magic Rubber Goo SolidifierTM. Unfortunately, I'm not good at chemistry...

author: amwales
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 05:00:44 pm
content: I have a PC that has/had the rubber coating on the front panel that had degraded into a sticky mess. I tried IPA and it did nothing, a few years later I tried IPA again, not expecting it to do anything but this time it lifted it off completelymaybe it has to really really bad before it is ready for the IPA treatment?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 07:47:14 pm
content: I don't know about relative effectiveness of IPA, but I've had good results with Meths, aka Methylated spirit, aka denatured alcohol, aka mostly ethanol. It still requires a fair bit of mechanical effort but does work and is still relatively benign for most materials.

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2025, 04:19:46 pm
content: Quote from: George Edmonds on April 24, 2025, 01:46:51 amThanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a try. Mike

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2025, 10:14:43 pm
content: Quote from: calzap on April 23, 2025, 10:38:26 pmFor bikes, you buy new grips, cost is about $5:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004043266696.htmlhttps://www.amazon.com/GPMTER-Handlebar-Bicycle-Mountain-Non-Slip-Rubber/dp/B07XXR9CMFThe self sealing rubber stuff is OK, but doesn't have much thickness or cushion. Silicone tape is a bit thicker, but more fragile. Then there is bicycle bar tape which gives you a good cushion, but you have to tape the ends to hold it in place:https://www.amazon.com/Alien-Pros-Bike-Handlebar-Black/dp/B07RDHL11Z