Plasti Dip vs Shrink Tubing - Which Is Better for Tool Handles?

I wanted to try out Plasti Dip to add grips to old tool handles but my results caused me to come up with an alternative idea. Can larger diameter shrink tubing work just as well or even better? Which is easier to apply? Let's get busy! #plastidip #shrinktubing #toolgrips #tools
Link to shrink tubing: www.amazon.com...
Link to Plasti Dip: www.amazon.com...

[@Blue.4t2]

If you trim so a little tubing sticks out past the end, you can pinch the tubing together and shape it with your fingers while it's hot (use gloves obviously). Worked for me. Didn't have the marine grade though. ⭐🙂👍

[@floridarusticrepairs]

I'm going to try that. the marine grade has adhesive in it so it should work as well. Thanks for the tip!

[@kevinfiebelkorn4715]

I used Plastidip many years ago and like you I had pretty good results. I now have a number of older hand tools that I have been wanting to Plastidip (tired old hands) but after seeing this video, I'll definitely be using the shrink tube. Great idea and perfect timing.

[@floridarusticrepairs]

That's great! Thanks for the input. I've found young people think the shrink tubing is actually a factory coating so it gets their endorsement as well.

[@rawbacon]

That package you show has a 3:1 shrink ratio so if you want a thicker grip you can start with a larger size and you can also put on a second piece after the first to make it thicker.. Dip may have its place but overall the tubing is better for most things I think.

[@floridarusticrepairs]

That's a good point on doubling it up and with the adhesive there would be no slippage. Thanks for the tip!

[@mrroofcutter]

Love the heat shrink tube, did this many years ago when I had a bunch of heat shrink. works fine. when I was a kid my Dad bought a jug of that plastic and did not have a good time with it.. that was in the 60s. great video thank you. I can remember cloth electrical tape was a frequent tool wrap back then.

[@floridarusticrepairs]

Thanks! Yes, that electrical tape repair was common but as it broke down the tools became sticky. The good old days. :)

[@terryeustice5399]

I agree the shrink wrap on the tools is less taxing. The dipping and waiting longer. Appreciate the video on this subject. Have a blessed Easter! 🐣 ✝️🙏🏻

[@floridarusticrepairs]

Thanks! Happy Easter to you as well.

[@ncautoman57]

I agree with you the shrink tube looks better and I am sure feels good in the hand.

[@floridarusticrepairs]

Thanks! Yes, the shrink tubing feels like an actual grip.

[@TheBikerDodge]

Why didn't you follow the instructions?

[@keironramkissoon]

I've used shrink tubing on a few pliers. Mine didn't have the adhesive inside but I applied some epoxy on the handles before shrinking. Just be sure to clean up any excess before it sets.

[@floridarusticrepairs]

That's a good tip. Not everyone has the marine grade shrink tubing at hand. Thanks!

[@philwilberg6004]

I have old linesman pliers and other tools, from my grandfather. I use them as is and they work great. American made and built to last

[@floridarusticrepairs]

I agree. Many old tools are fine as is. i just want to put them back into service and rubberized handles seem to help.

[@crisco1818]

Tools with grippy handles are just easier to hold. especially with gloves on. Plus the colour coatings help visually see what tool is what. The grip can also help keep the tool in a work belt (less likely to slip out) some of the older tools are quite a bit clunkier too Thicker/ more stiff to open close/ heavier etc. Obviously depends on the hand tool in question. I just bought an older number 18 Sheffield England pipe wrench. In the process of cleaning it up😛

[@ohboah320]

I used Plasti Dip on some tools maybe 20+ years ago. Still on those tools. Took a little trial and error to get right. Tool must be clean. Dip should be shaken and left in a warm area for a couple of days before opening, reason is to let the bubbles rise. Dip tool very slowly and pull it out very slowly. Hang with the dip down for 30 minutes and then flip to get rid of the tip. Wait a week to off gas and repeat to three dips. after the third dip leave the tool hanging for a week to off gas and cure. Like I said, it's been on my tools for 20+ years. Shrink tube works too but it isn't rubberized.

[@nachoisme]

So…4 weeks without a tool?

[@floridarusticrepairs]

I'm going to keep one of the shrink tubing tools in service with me to see how well it holds up. I actually prefer how it feels for grip but that's likely just because I did not apply as many coats of Plasti Dip as you've done.

[@ohboah320]

@@nachoisme Yep. But it does last a long time with minimal care. At least for me it did.

[@frankg3072]

I think the heat shrink is a heck of a lot easier. Thanks for the demonstration.

[@floridarusticrepairs]

I agree. I've now done about 30 tools this way and it didn't take very long.

[@frankg3072]

@@floridarusticrepairs also thanks for the Amazon link

[@CallLeeFree]

What if you double it up and also plasti dip the shrink tubing to give you the color you want.

[@floridarusticrepairs]

For me the shrink tubing was fine. Now I have to wonder what Plastidip would look like on top of shrink tubing. :)

[@jerryware5749]

How do both of these methods hold up to solvents, ie carb cleaner, gas, kerosene?

[@floridarusticrepairs]

That's an interesting question. I have limited experience with the Plasti Dip but I've seen it has lasted on tools long enough to totally dry up and crack so that must have taken years. This shrink tubing is very thick and I've used it on drill handles and even exposed wiring on vehicles and it seems to be undamaged from years of weather and grease. Both should serve the average user fine but I'd bet on the shrink tubing in a head to head durability contest.

[@1pcfred]

Plasti-Dip gets slimy in my experience. Solvents can always attack it. It'll hold dirt and grime too. I have "blue" dipped handles that are pretty much black now. So not good.

[@whattherust]

Great idea! How did the shrink tubing hold up with use?

[@floridarusticrepairs]

The marine shrink tubing in the description link is quite thick which,as you may be able to see takes my heat gun a while longer than average to actually shrink it. . I can't say how long it will last but I can't imagine wearing through it with normal useage. I've used this same type for off road lights and trailer hitches and it's held up well.

[@otterconnor942]

I'm one of these gen z kids that liked the over molded grips when I was a kid. Now that I actually use tools, they break and fall off just as fast as the dipped grips. Plus they're harder to clean, and take up more toolbox room than the dipped grips.

[@floridarusticrepairs]

That's great! When i was a kid I used whatever would work and bare metal was mostly all that was available. The heavy grips do take up a lot more room. I never even considered that until you mentioned it.

[@mauriciocampuzano6828]

I wanna see this stuff over a new pair of handles

[@1ohmwrecker]

I've never seen a heat gun like that lol. Great idea tho man!👏

[@floridarusticrepairs]

Thanks! I bought the heat gun in the 1990's at a swap meet and it's been my go to ever since. I recently had to change out the power cord but it's still going strong. :)

[@walterbordett2023]

Klein Grips on the electricians pliers.

[@floridarusticrepairs]

I just looked those up. They look like they'd be the best solution by far but they do cost more than the other solutions.

[@1pcfred]

Yeah Plasti-Dip is kinda meh. I've used it. I'm not running out to do it again any time too soon. I've got a pair of pliers someone managed to get some rubber hose on the handles. I don't know how they did it. But that hose is on there pretty tight. Maybe they heated it up and lubed it? It's a neat job. Klein makes new grips for some of their pliers. I think you're supposed to put them in hot water for a while to soften them up before trying to put them on. But they're nicer than the hot dipped handles. They're somewhere in the $10-$12 range for a pair. So not cheap. I've thought about getting a tube of caulk and trying it as a dip. Some caulks are pretty tough. Color selection there isn't the best though.

[@floridarusticrepairs]

lol! "kinda meh" is a perfect way to describe the results I got with it. I'd be curious if your caulking idea could work. it's a lot thicker and doesn't exactly pour. Let me know if it works.

[@1pcfred]

@@floridarusticrepairs you're not pouring Plasti-Dip to apply it on handles. Although in some applications brushing Plasti-Dip is recommended. There's a lot of different kinds of caulk and I don't think they'd all be suitable as handle material. Having had to scrape a bit of caulk I've noticed some of it can be pretty tough.

[@ElectroAtletico]

I would jump on those old linesman pliers in a second!! I would dip. Grip breaks? Dip again. Breaks again....rinse and repeat.

[@floridarusticrepairs]

Good to see a differing opinion. I know some people love Plasti Dip and even paint their wheels with it so there's a market out there. Thanks!

[@samlee458]

why are you shaking it in the can? if you read the directions, you’re supposed to dip it in slowly and bring it back up slowly 🤦‍♂️

[@floridarusticrepairs]

You could be right. I got decent results either way but I still prefer the shrink tubing. For this task it's cheaper and easier and for something long like the magnet it was the only solution.

[@1pcfred]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It still doesn't help. I've done the whole take it out slowly thing. It works and it doesn't. The results you can see here are pretty much what I've gotten dipping. It's a less than ideal process.

[@scottsandmeyer1832]

Is no one going to say it? Why are you turning them upside down? You fongogled them

[@floridarusticrepairs]

I guess I was trying to stop the big drip from accumulating and drying on the bottom.

[@bobfarley4102]

I love that at 16:20 and 17:20 you say that this it's your idea to use shrink tubing. Like people haven't been doing this for a long time. As if there aren't countless videos using this technique. Your idea! Sure....

[@floridarusticrepairs]

My favorite is at At 28:17 when I say, "I can't imagine that my shrink tubing method was an original idea". Thanks for watching. Don't forget to subscribe.