Finally found the right Epoxy Paint for Colt and Smith Airweights

The problem with older aluminum frame revolvers is that the finish tends to be worn down to the aluminum in many places and not just the edges. Colt and Smith used some sort of lacquer paint on their Cobras/Agent and blue finish Airweights. If it is a significant loss, the only choice is to refinish with Duracoat, Cerokote or Brownells Aluma Hyde. Can't blue aluminum. You can use automotive touch up paint on small spots and scratches. These are great products and I used matte Aluma Hyde a lot. However the finish (even gloss Aluma Hyde) does not match up with the older finish on say a Smith M-38 Bodyguard or Model 12. Also it is thick and just doesn't match up. Regular paint will not resist chemicals so you need an epoxy paint. I was looking at automotive epoxy paints to refinish a first series Colt Agent with Shroud. The backstrap was down to the aluminum and hidden with an old Pacmeyer Grip that is too big. The rest of the revolver is almost mint. Anyway, I did a search of automotive epoxy paints and AutoZone sells a paint product called VHT Gloss Black Epoxy Paint. It comes in an 11 OZ spray can. Went over there this afternoon and bought a can. Sanded down the backstrap and masked it with lots of tape. Three light coats in an hour and it looks unbelievable. It is almost a perfect match with the Colt frame and looks just like the finish on my Smith Airweights. I am going to let it cure and then see how resistant it is to CLP. Has anyone used VHT?

Sprayed some into the plastic cap cover and used a Q-Tip to touch up a small ding on the shroud edge and the ding disappeared. Match is that good.

Pictures of the Backstrap that was painted. The front side of the grip is original. Jim, Bedfordtec