[MeekandMild]

OK, I've got a problem. I can't find any matte rings for my Marlin 336. Sitting there in the woods it seems like the shiny rings catch the sunlight more than any other part of the gun.

So how do you remove polish from scope rings and convert them to matte, short of having them sandblasted and then having dull paint baked on?

Is there any sort of recipe to make regular matte spray paint stay on?

[1911Tuner]

Howdy MandM

Those dang Whitetails are some alert critters, ain't they?

You can try this:

Get a sheet of wet or dry 220-grit paper at your auto parts store, and a
plastic mallet. Lay the paper on the rings and tap tap with the mallet
until you get the whole ring covered. You can create a textured
finish to suit your tastes . Touch up any shiny spots with 4340 Cold Blue Paste from Brownells...about 5 bucks plus shipping. When the color is where you want it, use a light oil liberally to stop the rusting process.

Cheapest, simplest method is to wrap a piece of black tape around the ring,
Use the rough electrical tape instead of the vinyl tape. Remove the tacky
residue with rubbing alcohol when you come outta the brush.

Aerosol sight black spray also does a good job of breakin' the shine. It's
easy to remove, and you'll have to reapply it periodically. Might want to
apply it the night before to let the odor dissipate. Them critters can sniff
out a flyfart at a half-mile too..:D

Luck to ya!

Tuner

[dfariswheel]

A more durable finish is ordinary Rustoleum paint, and this is even more durable if it's baked in the oven.

Remove the rings from the rifle and degrease THROUGHLY with some solvent like lacquer thinner. Scrub the rings with a clean tooth brush, then rinse well with clean solvent.

Allow the parts to dry BONE DRY, and don't touch them with your hands.

I'd put the rings on a wooden dowel rod as a "holder" and fog on a thick coat of flat black OIL-BASED paint, or some of Brownell's bake-on finish.
The wooden dowel will also keep excess paint off the inner surfaces.

Make up some coat-wire hangers so the dowel can be suspended from an oven rack set at the top of your stove.

Allow the parts to set up for 30 minutes, (or follow the directions on the Brownell's can) then bake in the oven at about 350 degrees for an hour.

Allow to cool completely, than lightly coat the inside with something to prevent rust if the parts are steel.

WARNING: DON'T do this while any females are around. This smells up the house, and women have NO sense of humor about this sort of thing.

A coat of baked on finish is amazingly durable and long-lasting.

[Jim K]

It may be easier than that. Try just warming the rings, then applying cold blue paste and leaving it sit a day or so in a moist area.

Jim

[MeekandMild]

Thanks guys, this gives me something to go on. Its really strange how the gun itself is bright-finished but the brightness is dull compared to those sparkling rings. RE the smell, I've got an old oven out in the garage, so this is a do-able project! :D