Old guns - new finishes

[film495]

I was kind of joking around with my neighbor about refinishing old beat up revolvers with jacked up finishes, but that otherwise might work OK. I was thinking of old top breaks that shoot odd older cartridges like .32 S&W, but would like putting a Cerakote finish on one to see what it would look like. Anyone ever messed around with a new finish on an old beater and have it come out respectable?

 

[DocRock]

I was kind of joking around with my neighbor about refinishing old beat up revolvers with jacked up finishes, but that otherwise might work OK. I was thinking of old top breaks that shoot odd older cartridges like .32 S&W, but would like putting a Cerakote finish on one to see what it would look like. Anyone ever messed around with a new finish on an old beater and have it come out respectable?

I have no strong opposition to doing so though I tend to be a traditionalist. But then, I quite like the look of the bronze cerakote Ruger Wrangler. I think there's potential for some cool steampunk finishes, but there's a fine line separating that from garish Bubbafication.

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

The bronze ruger wrangler also has caught my eye. I would say go for it, post pics!

 

[Riomouse911]

I had to spray-n-bake a Ruger standard .22 that was externally rusted and pitted to the point it almost damaged the serial number. Some carefully applied bead blasting removed the rust and some pitting, the dark gray spray coating filled in a bit more.

It’s still kind of rough, and the spray finish will chip a bit if you bump it against something solid, but the bore was shiny, the sights were ok and Ruger sent me all new springs for free when I called to order new grip panels and a couple of magazines. It looks a bit goofy but runs great.



If the guns are mechanically sound, I see no reason you couldn’t rescue a few misfit revolvers from the parts bin in a similar way.

Stay safe.

 

[film495]

any before pics of that Ruger? yea, I'm not looking to ba$%^ardize anything horribly. I just like the idea of taking something that looks end of life and bringing it back to a functioning state with a new lease on life, and a current crappy finish means it will cost me less to get my hands on it. I kind of like drab olive, and yea - there's a certain warmth to that Ruger Wrangler finish. Looking to do something decent, but not necessarily professional quality, but not a total hack job either. Maybe two tone with the frame one color and the cylinder antoher. Might be a fun project - and I'd have another novelty piece to pull out at the range.

 

[wcwhitey]

Looking at Cerakote for this old guy. Was hand painted before I inherited it. Want to give it a finish that does it justice. I have baked enamel a few guns, parkerized a bunch but never a gun with different metals. Time for an expert. Take your time and do some research. I saw an older Colt Cobra done in Matt Cerakote the other day. It was some well and I liked it. Not an old Colt Blue but still nice.

 

[sgt127]

Back when Stainless revolvers first really hit the market, they were impossible to find.

A whole bunch of old blued duty guns got hard chromed. It’s a spectacular finish.

Honestly, if it’s a decent old gun, I’d likely get it refinished in a period correct finish. Blue or traditional nickel.

But, if it’s really just a beater, for fun. There’s nothing wrong with getting one of the high tech finishes.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

…and have it come out respectable?

“respectable”. Hmmmm. I’m trying to think if there’s anybody whose opinion I care about.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Back when Stainless revolvers first really hit the market, they were impossible to find.

A whole bunch of old blued duty guns got hard chromed. It’s a spectacular finish.

Honestly, if it’s a decent old gun, I’d likely get it refinished in a period correct finish. Blue or traditional nickel.

But, if it’s really just a beater, for fun. There’s nothing wrong with getting one of the high tech finishes.

I really like brushed hard chrome. This poor critter was sprayed with muffler paint when I got it.

 

[doubleh]

I am old and set in my ways. You can do whatever you wish to a plastic fantastic but certain types and ages of guns deserve a decent, meaning blued or plated, finish. I find the wrangles to be particularly ugly, some colors more so than others. Even the Heritage with its paint puts them to shame.

 

[ASRELLL]

Nothing to lose.

 

[wcwhitey]

Before and after.

 

[Tallball]

Those old top-break 32's are perfect for a project like this. The Iver Johnsons and H&R were inexpensive guns made in huge quantities. You can find one with bad finish that's functional for very little money. You aren't desecrating some beautiful antique work of art. Those things just cost a few dollars brand-new. They were, to misquote another member, "the Bic pen of revolvers" back then.

I have one of the H&R's. The trigger is stiff and the sights are tiny, but it's kind of fun to shoot.

Go crazy and do a wild paint job. Have fun with it. The cheap old revolvers like that will end up in a trash heap anyway. Someone might as well get some use out of one instead.

 

[Jonesy814]

Saw an OD green cerakoted heavy barrel model 10 for sale in my area. I thought it looked like crap. Not so much that it was cerakoted, more the choice of color. The right gray or black shade would probably be ok

 

[LaneP]

View attachment 1064672 View attachment 1064673 View attachment 1064674 View attachment 1064675 Nothing to lose.

Night and day, well done.

 

[EMC45]

I had to spray-n-bake a Ruger standard .22 that was externally rusted and pitted to the point it almost damaged the serial number. Some carefully applied bead blasting removed the rust and some pitting, the dark gray spray coating filled in a bit more.

It’s still kind of rough, and the spray finish will chip a bit if you bump it against something solid, but the bore was shiny, the sights were ok and Ruger sent me all new springs for free when I called to order new grip panels and a couple of magazines. It looks a bit goofy but runs great.

View attachment 1010254 View attachment 1010255 View attachment 1010256 View attachment 1010253

If the guns are mechanically sound, I see no reason you couldn’t rescue a few misfit revolvers from the parts bin in a similar way.

Stay safe.

I like it. Nothing wrong with that one.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I use Lauer Duracoat. They have a huge selection of colors, metallics, and additives.

A rough gun should be degreased, sanded or blasted to remove flakes, and degreased again. Then i use the Dura-fil high build primer. Spray a couple coats, let cure, then sand it off the high spots. Repeat as necessary until the surface is level. Then a few coats of your choice of Duracoat.

I add some flattening agent to mine, but you can also get some that are ultra-flat. Their colors range from magpul, vltor, etc colors to metallic earth tones and brites, to vibrant colors. They offer liquid and some aerosol.

It works on metal, wood, plastic, etc. Once cured it is rock hard. Liquid versions must be sprayed. It is epoxy so it is quite fumey. I believe it has some sort of lacquer base judging by the smell.

 

[tinhorn]

I was kind of joking around with my neighbor about refinishing old beat up revolvers with jacked up finishes, but that otherwise might work OK. I was thinking of old top breaks that shoot odd older cartridges like .32 S&W, but would like putting a Cerakote finish on one to see what it would look like. Anyone ever messed around with a new finish on an old beater and have it come out respectable?

Do it! We could even have a contest. Too bad I just sold my ancient Hopkins & Allen.