Finish on New Glocks

[jjones45]

Here's some videos that touch on the finish issues on new glocks. If you want to skip its about right in the middle of both videos.
https://youtu.be/pVRiiwPUuq8
https://youtu.be/VqZZPT9NKZ4

 

[Walt Sherrill]

jjones45:

I don't think folks are disputing that Glocks "finish" is now different and somewhat less durable.

But that more-easily scratched or worn surface folks are talking about isn't TENIFER. Tenifer isn't a finish, but a surface hardening applied to the metal before the FINISH is applied. Apparently Glock has changed the finish itself -- which was once something like Parkerization (and may still be...)

It would appear that in addition to changing the underlying surface hardening treatment (previously called Tenifer) due to environmental restrictions here in the U.S., Glock also modified the dark finish itself, too, and that finish which is what's getting scratched and shows wear...

The metal underneath is still hard, more rust-resistant, and still well protected.

 

[MIL-DOT]

I don't care what anybody says, the tenifer treatment Glock used to do was maybe the toughest and most durable ever and definitely better than what they do now.....

Exactly. End of story. :banghead:

 

[jjones45]

jjones45:

I don't think folks are disputing that Glocks "finish" is now different and somewhat less durable.

But that more-easily scratched or worn surface folks are talking about isn't TENIFER. Tenifer isn't a finish, but a surface hardening applied to the metal before the FINISH is applied. Apparently Glock has changed the finish itself -- which was once something like Parkerization (and may still be...)

It would appear that in addition to changing the underlying surface hardening treatment (previously called Tenifer) due to environmental restrictions here in the U.S., Glock also modified the dark finish itself, too, and that finish which is what's getting scratched and shows wear...

The metal underneath is still hard, more rust-resistant, and still well protected.

Yeah I know tenifer is a treatment to the metal. This has me wondering if the tenifer treatment helps strengthen the finish because my ppq has that tenifer treatment and I've bumped and scraped that gun a couple of times and it shows no wear, just like the glocks used to. Scratches and wear marks from holsters is really no big deal, just irritating to look at on a newer gun that has a reputation for being resistant to those types of things. However the rust that few are reporting is just not Glock like. So this makes me also wonder did Glock change the finish as well to save a couple bucks or does the tenifer really make a difference? Why would Glock move away from the proven finish they used for years unless it is cheaper?

 

[jjones45]

This is an excellent read from some people who are very knowledgeable about these finishes and treatments as some actually worked around these processes. However just like this thread there will be no clear cut answer to what, why, and how the Glock finish and treatment changed because no one at Glock is going to tell. I think we all can agree that the finish is not what it once was. Check this out
http://www.finishing.com/324/69.shtml

 

[Walt Sherrill]

A good read, but as you suggest, no real answers: it seems that the experts agree that Tenifer has a bunch of different names, the processes are all nearly the same, and nobody can tell us why newer Glock finishes seem (according to some) less durable.

 

[Zerodefect]

Because it's sprayed on. It's no longer a bath thanks to the EPA. So it's not as deep or hard.

Both treatments, the tenifer bath, and the blackening, have been replaced with a spray type melonite, not a bath melonite.

There are hundreds of different melonite type processes, each has a different silly brand name. Eventually they're going to run out of bs names for it and just use the machines operators name. The next batch of Glocks and Noveske barrels will have a "Billy" treatment.