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Mounting Nylon Hinges

Trying to epoxy those nylon hinges can be just that...trying! Keeping the epoxy out of the hinge line is critical, but pushing the hinge into an epoxy filled slot guarantees it squishing out on the hinge line. Hmmm.

Walt Levine of the River District RC Eagles in Michigan submits this method that works wonders. Please note that some of the "newer" Vaseline jars come with plastic tops. Don't use them, of course.

IMPORTANT: Nylon hinges usually come with a releasing agent still on the surface. Wash or wipe thoroughly with alcohol and rough up the surfaces with sandpaper to allow good adhesion by the epoxy. When you coat the hinge with epoxy make sure you get some in the holes. The cured epoxy will then act like a group of pins.

"I've used the accompanying method for as long as I've been building. It involves using your covering iron! Place the iron upside down on a piece of 2 X 4 ( I use a common brick) so that the foot of the iron is about level.	"Place a small amount of Vaseline in the jar's metal cover and place this on top of the iron. Let it melt. (..about 1/8 inch or slightly less depth of liquid Vaseline in the cover)
"Dip the folded hinge in the liquid until the bubbles stop (the liquid is displacing the air in the hinge's pin and bearing area). Quickly remove the hinge and open it up. This will lock the liquid in the pin area and allow it to solidify without allowing it to use capillary action to coat the sides of the hinge. This method will guarantee positive lubrication for the life of the hinge." Thanks Walt!