An "Opposite of Hard-Chroming" Question.

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

OK - This is a branch off of some other active threads out there.

Here's the question - I know that many people have sent their firearms away to be refinished. That refinish is usually along a hard chrome route.

BUT.....what if someone wanted to get edges 'melted' for carry, and front/backstrap stippled? Those mods would warrant a refinish. What choices are available if someone wants to hard "dark" coat the firearm???

There's all sorts of factory finishes/Kotes/Tennifer etc... out there. But what dark (black/matte) aftermarket finishes are available? What coating is the hardest or most durable? What business has a high-quality track record?

 

[Jeeper]

I would look at Robar for one of there finishes. They are really high quality. I have their NP3 on my carry gun and it is very durable.

 

[clipse]

I was going to say Robar. I have heard great things about the NP3 finish. I figure if my P-01 finish every wears off I will get that. I am still looking for a place that I can send a gun to for a pink finish. (For my wife.)


clipse

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Look at www.ccr-refinishing.com for color options.

 

[wardog]

I've heard a lot of good things about Rocky Mountain Arms "bearcoat" http://www.bearcoat.com/

Also heard of some others.

http://www.fordsguns.com/
http://www.mrarms.com/
http://www.shootiniron.com/
http://www.apwcogan.com/

 

[Stealther]

But what dark (black/matte) aftermarket finishes are available? What coating is the hardest or most durable? What business has a high-quality track record?

If you're looking for a dark finish, you're pretty much limited to either a blued, parkerized or painted/baked on finish. None of which could be compared to hard chrome for durability.

(going from my bad memory)
A company named Bodycote experimented with a Boron Carbide finish briefly but experienced problems with the finish, chipping/peeling I believe. This was reported to be because the BC finish were harder than the steel it was applied to and when exposed to a sharp impact the base metal would give causing a chip or peel of the brittle finish. I think they had success when the BC coating was applied OVER a hardchrome finish (because of HC's hardness) but that pretty much made it cost prohibitive. Bodycote then decided to not deal directly with the consumer market and delt with manufactureres only.

I believe Bodycote does the "Tungsten DLC" for Kahr formerly called "Black Diamond" but I don't believe there is anything like it available to the average joe citizen for refinishing. I would go with a painted/heat cured finish and just realize that you'll have to refinish it occasionally.

Good luck!

 

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Thanks Stealther !

Good post. Very informative.