Need help making modification to Apeks Tx-50

[NJdiver85]

I have a black Apeks Tx-50, and I want to convert the coverplate on the second stage to a yellow one for use as an octopus. Is this something that is easy to do?

 

[TexasMike]

If you mean the outter cover that you can screw off to access the "innards", then you can probably paint it with some spray paint (after removing it from the reg of course). Just lightly scuff it with sandpaper to help the paint adhere to it.

I also have a black TX50 as my "safe second". What I did was use a yellow hose and yellow scumball to highlight it as the "octo".

 

[NJdiver85]

Thanks for the reply, TexasMike. What I really would like to do is simply replace that outer cover with a yellow one, which I know they must make since you can buy a yellow Apeks reg. But I don't know how difficult it is to do without having to take it to a shop. I don't want to make it a permanent thing because I want my wife to be able to use it as a primary when we dive together. (She will only dive in VERY warm water, while I dive in New Jersey as well and need a pony reg there).

 

[TexasMike]

Then the yellow hose and yellow clip should be enough to "highlight" it for you buddy (and not paint the cover). It's simple enough to switch it back to the black hose when you return it to your wife's rig.

 

[herman]

I am not too sure that painting the reg cover is a good idea. Some paints and plastics do not mix and you could end up melting the reg. At a minumum, I would use paint designed for plastic, model car paint comes to mind.

 

[buff]

Don't do it.
Just get some yellow hose to hightlight the fact that your octo. is designated as such.

 

[GP]

I don't think I'd paint it either. It wouldn't look to pro in my opinion. You should be able to just go to a dive shop and order a screw on front cover for it in yellow though. I don't see what the big deal with that would be. It should be an available replacement part at any Apeks dealer. Any Apeks dealers on the board here?

 

[Iguana Don]

Any introduction of hydrocarbons into the breathing system is not a good idea.

And paint is loaded with them.

Go to the extra effort and get your yellow cover or get some yellow hose wrap or a yellow hose. This is the safest.

 

[detroit diver]

TBG,

I think I've got an extra yellow cover that I don't use. It's a TX40, but I think they're all the same. I'll check when I get home. It's yours if you want it.

I changed out my yellow for black when I decided to use the second stage as a bungeed octo. I didn't want someone trying to pull the thing off my neck!

 

[large_diver]

So DD...where did you get the extra cover -- LDS? I've been thinking of doing the same thing with my TX40 yellow cover. I hate to have a "target" bungeed around my neck ;-)