Best gun coating?

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Wtlj

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I recently acquired a Kimber Ultra Carry II .45. The gun is awesome however the finish is terrible. The slide has spots where bluing is missing and the aluminum frame has wear from slide movement and magazine insertion as well as a few scratches. The gun is definitely well used but for the price I got it I'm willing to put a few bucks back into it for a nice finish. I was all set in sending the slide back to a guy in the trading post classifieds to do a hot blueing job. I started to think, the slide will look brand new which will make the frame look even worse, doesn't make much sense!
So since I can't blue the kimber aluminum frame I started thinking about coating the slide and frame. After only a few hours of research I have a darn headache! Cerakote, diamondkote, kg gunkote, robar, dura coat. So what should I do? I want a matte black finish and nothing fancy. I want to do the entire pistol. I also don't want to spend a ton, would like to stay under $140 with shipping both ways. Any recommendations of refinishers on this forum?
 
I am lucky cuz I live in AZ....and am not too far from Robar....but I have had 4 revolvers done by them, Rogard, NP3 etc.....all super jobs...you may have to check their current price list....it may be more than you want to spend...but I will vouch for their durable finishes and quality work.
 
AZ, very nice I've heard a lot about the robar coatings. A little out of my price range though. I think I'm sold on cerakote. Any suggestions on good finishers.
 
There are a ton of aftermarket gun finishes and most are very good but if I bought a nice gun like a Kimber I would send it back to Kimber for refinishing. BUT, looking on the Kimber site and it seems they do not offer that service unless it's available but not advertized. You might want to give them a call, it's worth the dime... (I know, I'm an old fashioned traditionalist)
 
Here's my list from experience. This is in order from most durable to least durable.

1. Parkerized base with cerakote and teflon over it. (Cummings Custom Refinishing cerahyde)

2. Parkerized base with cerakote over it.

3. Parkerized base with kg gunkote over it.

4. Parkerized base with duracoat over it.

5. Parkerized base with teflon over it (bear coat).
 
ArchAngelCD said:
There are a ton of aftermarket gun finishes and most are very good but if I bought a nice gun like a Kimber I would send it back to Kimber for refinishing. BUT, looking on the Kimber site and it seems they do not offer that service unless it's available but not advertized. You might want to give them a call, it's worth the dime... (I know, I'm an old fashioned traditionalist)
Click to expand...

I understand your thought process however this isn't my first kimber with finish issues. You'd think with what they charge for a firearm they could step up there game in the finishing department a little. I found a reputable local paint shop that will cerakote the gun for $100. It's a paint shop, not a gun shop. Gun has to be 100% disassembled. Only worry I have is removing the sights from the slide. Would you guys have the mags coated also? Thinking of having 2 or 3 mags done also.
 
98Redline said:
Leave the mags alone. If you want a better looking mag, spend the $$ and buy a new one.
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The mags I have are brand new Kimber mags. The service includes 2 mags in the price. I'm debating wether to have just 1 done so I have matching mag or get 2 done.

You guys wouldn't even have the mags coated?
I'm dropping the Kimber off tomorrow after work and in super excited. Ill post pics when its all done.
Let me know thoughts on mag coating.
 
I wouldn't paint the mags, it adds thickness that may affect their function, like dropping free or feeding, if they coat the inside. Also, with the amount of times that mags get inserted and removed, that stuff can get scraped off the mag and gum up the inner workings of your gun.
 
I'm with WC145: have it hard chrome plated by Ron Mahovsky (Metalife). Since the frame is aluminum they can possibly polish out the scratches and nicks and then anodize it.
 
Shop owner and painter both talked me into doing the mags! Said they've done 100's! If the cerakote can hold up on barrels, slides and other moving parts the mags should be no exception! I dropped 2 off and will probably drop a 3rd off next week before he coats my kimber! The shop was awesome! They charge $100 tax included for any size gun. He showed me a book full of cerakoted weapons and had tons of firearm parts in the shop for coating! A little wait (3 weeks) but he said it'll be worth it. I went with Armor black in a 13-2 hardner mix ratio as I didn't want it flat black. Wanted a little bit of satin finish!
 
"Send it to Mahovsky's and have it hard chromed. It'll cost you $188 including shipping back to you and it will last forever. http://www.mahovskysmetalife.com/"

I'll second this. And, leave the magazines alone! If their looks offend you, discard them.
 
I don't think I would have done the mags. +1 on the concern about proper operation after the coating, or even worse, if the coating beings to chip, get scraped up and hangs the mag during operation.

Besides, 45 mags should be considered a consumable item. I have had 45 mags wear out. When that happens I just toss them in the trash. Having a defective mag or one that does not function at 100% is not worth it, regardless of how they look.
 
Best light finish: Hard Chrome or just plain Stainless!
Best dark finish: IonBond
 
I promise to get better pictures after the meprolights and vz ETC's!
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1392859727.426419.jpg
 
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