[Kentucky Rifle]

It didn't explain what "Mar-Shield" was in the Marlin brochure. So, I called customer service and talked to a nice lady. She told me that "Mar-Shield" is a lacquer finish that is sprayed on Marlin rifles. I asked her how to care for Mar-Shield. To my surprise she said "Pledge" paste wax.
I explained that I usually use a "Rig-Rag" as a finish protector. She said, "Nope, use Pledge". I am a little perplexed. How could Pledge paste wax be better than a Rig-Rag? It just doesn't seem right. Do you guys think she knew what she was talking about? FURNITURE polish on my METAL rifle??? Most lacquer IS cellulose based. So, I reckon Pledge might be OK. But I feel strange about it.
Opinions please?

Thanks,
KR

[Soap]

The "Mar-Shield" is in reference to the wood treatment they give their stocks. So apparently Pledge is okay to use on the stock.

[Kentucky Rifle]

She actually said "metal". Maybe she meant to say wood, but said metal. (???)

KR

[DMK]

I've got more than a couple Marlins. Great rifles!

Marlin doesn't do anything special with their bluing. Use Pledge on the wood and CLP on the metal. ;)

Interesting that they say use Pledge. By coincidence that's what I've been using. I just like the smell. :D

[Soap]

That's strange...I would assume she must have misspoken. I've always heard "Mar-Shield" in reference to the wood, not the finish of the metal. If you check out http://www.marlinfirearms.com you can see that Mar-Shield is only in the field that describes the stock on each gun.

[Kentucky Rifle]

She MUST have just said it wrong. Has to be. Nobody would spray lacquer on the METAL!

Thanks,
KR

[Handy]

The marlin site list Mar-shield under stock features.


I assume you're kidding about lacquering metal? That's one of the oldest metal finishes there is, it's just that Marlin doesn't use it.

[larryw]

I've painted quite a bit of metal (mostly cars and motorcycles) with laquer, but was unaware that anyone used it for the metal finish on a firearm. Handy, who's doing this?

[Handy]

Lacquer is a pretty general term. The "polycoat" on CZ pistols is a lacquer, as is the inexpensive coatings on surplus rifles, like the Ishapore SMLE.

Lacquered iron and steel is very old. All samurai armor was prepared that way. Lacquer, in those days, was a sap base.

[larryw]

Interesting, thanks!

[Kentucky Rifle]

I'm learning some things. Thanks, you guys. I appreciate it. A website where you actually learn something! Way to go, Oleg!!!:)

KR

[JohnBT]

Handy - I'm curious about your statement that CZ's polycoat is a laquer.

Disclaimer: I don't know much about paints, etc. Never found a paintbrush that would fit my hand :)

I've always though of laquer as a natural or synthetic pigment of some sort in a fast drying solvent. I've sprayed clear on brass switchplates and such, and black on angle-iron brackets and frames.

According to the FAQ on their site, CZ's polycoat is an electrostaticaly applied powder that is baked on - it's powdercoated.

Like I said, just curious.

John

[Handy]

John,

I'm sure I could have accidentally started a great debate on what is a "lacquer".

As I have seen the term used, the thick protective paint on a CZ might well be termed a lacquer, but I'm sure some purists would disagree. But other purists get upset when you call "polymer" "plastic".

Interestingly, you refer to lacquers as a pigment, but how does that fit with the clear lacquers?

I don't want to start any arguements, but that old Indian SMLE is lacquered, as is my bookcase. I think that the term is probably too general to pigeon hole any particular process. I usually use it to differentiate from other general finishes like plating, heat treatment or surface treatments.

[JohnBT]

I'm learning as I go on this topic. Learning how much I don't know anyway.

I just googled this up...

"Lacquer is sap from the lacquer tree and is a totally natural liquid. Synthetic paints are produced by synthetically composing molecules. Modern technology has developed synthetic paints which have very similar molecular structure to the natural lacquer; however, it is still difficult to simulate its complex structure."

"It is semi-translucent light brown. Black lacquer is made by adding iron. Other colored lacquers such as red, yellow, green, and blue are made by mixing them with color additives."

This and more at:

www.vcnet.fukui.fukui.jp/~yamagisi/2mame.htm

John

[Kentucky Rifle]

Ah, "lacquer is the sap from the lacquer tree". Thus the dictionary's definition that "Lacquer is mostly made of cellulose".

KR