DIY rubberizing HOTAS...

[Avago-Earo]

I was wondering whether you could get the stuff used to plaster broken bones. You know, the modern brightly coloured textured stuff? Bind that around the parts of the HOTAS you want rubberising and smooth it out where there are creases, then paint/spray the suff your currently using as the grain in the 'bandage' would provide a 'key' for the ruber paint to adhere to.

I only gave it a minute's thought so I could be talking shit.

[Cmdr Kharma]

Good luck on your project.

I am just going to post this link here and wait for the temp ban I'm sure it earns me...
I recommend not reading that anywhere someone can see your face..
funny as all hell though.
http://www.gizmag.com/nsfw-review-realt ... men/26804/
I recommend the follow up article as well for a review of the real "joystick"..

Interesting.....

Maybe I should not be typing this........

BUT about 40 odd years ago....

I tried to build a wanking machine out of Meccano and a Mamod steam engine......

Plus of course a stripped down fur lined glove and a bog roll.......

RPM was shite though......Plus it kept falling off the table.........[True bit]

Not good at Sunday lunch.........When you have guests and want to show them your new invention.....[Untrue bit]

[Baelydon]

Uhm... where to go from here... yup... lol

[Baelydon]

As I mentioned, for now/until I can find something better, I went ahead and stripped the old gummed-up Plasti Dip off everything and re-coated it again. I also did find that 'top coat' kind of stuff I mentioned earlier.... it's called "Glossifier" and is made by the same company, and states that it's a gloss coat finish for Plasti Dipped surfaces.

It is very similar to the regular PD but with that glossy finish, some UV protection stuff in it, and it's thinner yet "stronger" than the regular PD, (harder to stretch out than the colored stuff is). I'm hoping... very much HOPING that this clear coat is going to help prevent all of this stuff from gumming up on me. That's the thought anyways.

For those who don't know and don't search for much, here is the Plasti Dip rubber spray, plus the "Glossifier" I am trying:
Plasti Dip regular.... http://i.imgur.com/lJcRm0O.jpg
Glossifier.... http://i.imgur.com/YYIYrGl.jpg

Before I re-sprayed everything, I went one step beyond 'overkill', but it turned out pretty decent (imo). Using a butane pocket torch/soldering iron with the soldering tip (fairly small, fine point), I carefully and very lightly melted a whole bunch of tiny dimples into the plastic wherever my hand(s) grip. This alone gave a significant amount of grip to what was once very smooth and had no grip whatsoever! Adding the rubber spray on top of everything did make the dimples less...grabby.. but it came out to be just about the right amount of texture plus rubber. it doesn't hurt to hold on to or rest my hand on the palm rest or anything either.

If this stuff doesn't hold up and turns gummy again, it'll be a pain in the ~whatwhat~ to "peel" off with the dimples! I'll probably have to use a coarse brush and/or some paint stripper.

Again, if anyone else has any suggestions, or now some questions, give me a shout please!
-Bael

Here are a few pics of the finished textured+rubberized grip:

[TorTorden]

Looks good nice work