[Tomahawk674]

Hello guys, I need some more ideas on making the front blade non-reflective.

I've tried the zippo flame trick and the sight-black spray. They both work fine but the effects seem to go away over time, probably from when I barely brush the front sight and it just rubs off. Holstering the gun will also inmediatly rub off the spray/carbon buildup.

Is there a way to make the spray stick longer? I don't care if it would be hard to wash off.

[dwave]

What is it made of?

If it's steel, have you thought of cold bluing?

Otherwise how about some paint?

[madcratebuilder]

+1 on the cold blue.

[Tomahawk674]

I'm pretty sure it's steel.

You mean colt blue like that birchwood liquid stuff?
Would their touch-up pen also work?

The sight WAS blued, but it's rubbed of on the very tip, I think from the holster rub (it only goes in the holser for a little bit once a week!).

[sundance44s]

Yep the birchwood casey stuff is cold blue ...I`ve never used the touch up pen ...so I don`t know about it ...I use a bottle of the liquid and dab it on with a q tip .....just be sure and degrease the sight before you use the blueing or it won`t stay on eaither .

[sharps59]

I say a black sharpie permanent marker. can touch up as you go.
you also do not have any build up that can change your point of impact.

[dwave]

Yeah, I was talking about the birchwood casey; I didn't know they had a pen. Anyways, like Sundance44s, use a q-tip, that's what I do.

[mykeal]

The pen is the same stuff - it's just more convenient to use on small touchups as it has a built in applicator. You don't need to hunt up SWMBO's Q-tips.

[Tomahawk674]

Hey guys, I tried the pen but it didn't work; the stuff isn't sticking to the sight. I tried the pen on another part that I had laying around and it worked just fine. Turns out I tried a magnet on the front blade, and it's not magnetic. I guess it must be brass, although it is not yellowish in color.

What can I do to permanently turn brass to black? (a non reflective black)

[Chawbaccer]

I don't know if Brass Black works on german silver or not. I do second the use of a Sharpie marker.

[Coyote Rider]

There are oxidizing (or "antiquing") agents like Win-Ox that will turn non-ferrous metals like brass and silver black. You can get them at any jeweler's supply shop or online.

[Coyote Rider]

Not sure if it works on German silver, but the dealer would know.

[arcticap]

Try the right kind of flat black paint or Sight Black spray.

http://www.midwayusa.com/midwayusa/staticpages/highres/504999.jpg

Birchwood Casey Sight Black aerosol - claims it's easy to use & remove, and the reviewer gives it 5 stars.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=504999&t=11082005

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=388872&highlight=sight+black

[Tomahawk674]

The problem with Sight Black spray, or other temporary solutions is that when I holster the pistol, the leather rubs the sight blade and takes any spray or other component off.

I'll try the sharpie when I get home.

[Macmac]

If it is brass try a dirty patch after you fired real black powder. That will also work on copper, and real silver. I have no idea if that will work on German Silver (nickel)

[scrat]

Whats that model paint stuff. i dont think its krylon but any how you should try some model paint. the small bottle type (Testors) thats it. a small bottle of i bet flat black so you will not have any reflection. I doubt it will wear off as easy as the other stuff.

[WardenWolf]

Testors Aircraft Interior Black. Available in acrylic and enamel.

Flat Black is too thin and not durable enough. When I was painting miniatures I always substituted Aircraft Interior Black because it made for a better finish. If you get it in acrylic, you can just rinse your brush off in the sink when you need to repaint it.

[Speedo66]

Go to an auto paint shop and get flat black trim paint. Will stick to shiny stainless trim, will definately stick to what ever you want to put it on.

[1858rem]

if i darken my sight i cannot see it......i have used some red paint an that helps nicely!


looks a little funny on my 1858 though....

[husker]

have a new sight made out of steal and blued. go get it smithed PS what kind of fire arm is it?

[Tomahawk674]

It's a Uberti 1861 Navy.

I don't really have the cash for any major work. I tried the sharpie and it did indeed coat the sight black, but I haven't tried to see if it will rub off when holstered. If that fails I'll try the model paint.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys.