[papa_bear]

I am getting ready to tackle my first refinishing project. I have 3 pistols to do. I think I want to parkerize than Gunkote the pistols. Does anyone have any suggestions for removing some scratches and ding in the metal? I would also like to fill in some of the engraving on the slide (the part in fine print that says"Please read owners manual). Any suggestions on my finish choice and scratch repair would be appreciated.

--PB--

[bkjeffrey]

I would try to "sandblast " the small scratches out before parking. As for dings, try a small jewelers file, the again try sandblasting then parking. Youd be just simply amazed at what a sand blaster and aluminum oxide powder can make dissapear. GunKote loves Parked metals, and will do a fine job of smoothing out any imperfections not fixed by the blasting and parking. If the dings are too deep, Ive used JB Weld as a filler in pitted metal prior to applying KG Gun Kote. Worked Perfect. Ive also welded up some pits and file'd the welds smooth and finished that off with hand sanding and sand blasting. If your really interested in the the JB weld idea Im sure I can scrounge up some old before and after pics. I may have to dig them out anyway, as Im sure the nay-sayers will be along shortly to bash me about using such a neanderthal method of gun repair...........Maybe silver solder would be a better idea for filling surface irregularities, sounds more "gun-smithy"....

[papa_bear]

did the jb weld cause any discoloration to the KG?

[bkjeffrey]

No......Ill get some pics up for your reference here soon.

[bkjeffrey]

Heres an 870 bolt that was severly pitted form over 30 years of neglect.

I tried just GunKoting it to see how it would look and was crappy, Ive included a pic of that here..
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff117/bkjeffrey/P1010087.jpg

This was my first attemp at pitting repair. Now I could probably do alot better. You can clearly see the difference between the metal of the bolt body and the JB Weld.

The bolt was sand blasted, lathered in a thin coat of JB Weld. Let that dry for a couple days and then I hand sanded the JB with 320 grit sand paper until baby butt smooth. Applied a nice coat of Satin Dark Earth GunKote, bake at 350 for 1 hour and done!


http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff117/bkjeffrey/boltredone001.jpg


The GunKote was still very wet in this pic and very shiney. Once it was cured it took its satin sheen and looked even better than it did wet.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff117/bkjeffrey/boltredone005.jpg

Heres the best pic I can find of the finished repaired bolt. You cant even tell.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff117/bkjeffrey/P1010085.jpg

I hop this may help you in your decision......Either way, good choice on using KG GunKote.

[papa_bear]

Thanks for posting the pictures. Very well done. I will try the jb weld and post before and after pics.