Thanks, guys. I'll give that a try. I've got a can of that stuff here somewhere - I knew there was a good reason to never throw anything away!

Tumbleweed Chris has this right. Paste wax is way better than the release agent that comes with the bedding compound.

Tumbleweed
I use Johnson's paste floor wax (the same can for about 19 years). I've done 5 or 6 rifles without any trouble.

I got all set up to bed a couple of barreled actions, but when I checked my bedding compound I discovered that the release agent (in three packages of Brownells Acragel) had shrivelled to a bone hard nugget. Has anyone used anything for a substitute?
The resin and hardeners seem alright, but none of the local shops carry Acraglass, or I'd just buy a new one. I hate to quit at this stage of the game. I'm tempted to try a layer of Saran Wrap, but I sure don't want to weld everything together! Any ideas?

I like Brownells spray best. Used the Johnsons and also had good luck with PAM.

the areosol can from brownels is fantastics

i think i'll try PAM some day other other

jeffe

Folks at McMillans use Johnson's Paste Wax...so do I.

Same thing has happened to all of us, and you can't always run out and buy release agent.

I do not use release agent that come with acraglas anymore. I use Kiwi waterprofing for boots, you can get it at the grocery store, it has a lot of beeswax in it and dry's like wax and a can of it is dirt cheat. Its the best I have used and much easier to clean up than release agent. Also does a good job on your boots also.

Just about any wax will do in a bind.

Many things will work.

I use Imperial sizing wax [from my reloading bench], because it is handy, and my wife can smell the Johnson's paste wax hours later.

I use Hornady One Shot case lube in the aerosol can. I have used Pam, and I won't ever touch that stuff again. It soaked the stock so bad that I had to use whiting to get it out. With the case lube, spray it on and it dries dry to the touch. It won't permeate the stock, and it won't allow the Accraglass to stick. It requires no cleanup. What could be better? I have used paste wax, and it is very effective, but it is more trouble to apply than the spray stuff. I have not tried the Brownells spray, but the blue stuff that comes in the 2-gun kits is a pain to peel off the action after you are finished.

Clemson

Snow Seal is bordering on pure beeswax, is it not? I can see that working very well. What about Hornady case lube? It comes in a little tub of about 4 ounces and gets very liquid-slippery when you rub it between your fingers. It's the best case lube I've ever used. Never had a case stuck in my dies, even when using just a very small amount of it.

Uuuuhhhh Michael.....
Last time I checked, you are a professional!!!

Jim

Rootbeer, I do not know what is in Snow Seal and I don't have any in the shop right now. I bought a case of Totes Coat and have been using that for about two years. They do not say what is in it. I should mention that I use the spray. Since as Jim said I am a "professional" time is money. After the metal is clean I can have a gun ready to go in under a minute. Also, a second benifit of the stuff I use is, I do not have to pay an ORDM shipping charge for it. When I buy a case I think the cost was about 3.00 per can. Michael

My vote too for a couple layers of paste wax, but most anything will work in a pinch as you can tell by all the posts.

IMHO the best release agent is Snow Seal or Toats Coat. The stuff you spray on your leather boots to keep the water out. It beats Pam, Brownells and any paste wax that you apply hands down. I have used them all but I get the best, resulst from Snow Seal or Toats Coat. It is quick and easy and when I am done it looks like a professional did it. Michael