Recommended Paint for Painting Front Sight

[dkochan]

I would like to paint the front sight on my Patriot .45 because it is the same color as the slide. What type of paint do you recommend for painting the front sight?

 

[Brian Williams]

I use white out and color to taste with hi-liters, normally orange, then cover with clear nail polish.

 

[dfariswheel]

Many people use model airplane and car paint.

This is available in MANY colors, and in flat or gloss.
It's available in solvent-based, or water-based.

Since it comes in very small bottles and is fairly cheap, you don't waste it like you do with larger containers that dry out and go bad.

It's easy to apply, drys fast, and is easy to remove.

Always STIR thoroughly, since it settles.

You can experiment with different colors AND with flat or gloss finishes.

Some favorites for front sights are:
Gloss White.
Red-Orange.
Fluorescent Orange.
Yellow.
Bright "Safety" Green, which is actually the most visible color in daylight.

 

[cratz2]

Testors... available almost anywhere including WalMart.

I bought the brightest orange and the brightest green. I prefer the orange. I basically paint the entire flat surface of the front sight on any carry gun that doesn't have night sights.

 

[shooter1]

Odds 'n' Ends Plasti kote enamel in Orange Glow B27. I've tried dozens of types and colors. This is without a doubt, the best I've found!
str1

 

[Mr. B]

Nail polish works well as does refrigerator touchup paint.

 

[nemesis]

Teddy Jacobsen, Actions By T, did some work for me a few years ago and I called him to see about shipping a gun to have the sights painted. He recommended Testors model paint.

 

[JerryM]

I have found the paint used to paint fishing jigs is durable. I use white as a base, and then fl orange.

Jerry

 

[Standing Wolf]

I just use a spray can of sight blackener.

 

[magsnubby]

I've used Testor's model paint for years. It's surprisingly durable and comes in a varitey of colors.

 

[chevrofreak]

Krylon Fusion. After a couple of weeks its damned near indestructable.

 

[Mixlesplick]

Bright Sights

I put this paint on the front sight of my HP22. I don't shoot this gun a lot but the paint seems to hold up fairly well. I used the orange. Don't get the green. It is difficutlt to see in low light.

Bright Sights also has some paint that is supposed to glow for two or three hours after being exposed to light. I haven't tried that kind.

I bought this stuff from Smart Carry

 

[TarpleyG]

Recommended Paint for Painting Front Sight

Black...learn to shoot it 'cause you never know what the next gun is you'll have to pick up. If you can't see it, that may be because it is too small to begin with. Just my thoughts.

Greg

 

[Dave T]

Black...learn to shoot it 'cause you never know what the next gun is you'll have to pick up. If you can't see it, that may be because it is too small to begin with. Just my thoughts.

Nice theory and I even believed it for a while. Then I passed 50 and nature took over. I can't put bigger front sights on my guns and still get them in and out of holsters. I paint my front sights with a white base and the brightest orange I can find.

Since you don't think I should paint them, what "thoughts" do you have about what someone like me should do?

Dave

 

[dkochan]

I painted the front sight of my Patriot .45 with three coats of Testors Fire Orange enamel. Painting the front sight has greatly improved its visibility and contrast. Aiming is quicker and easier.

 

[shooter1]

painted the front sight of my Patriot .45 with three coats of Testors Fire Orange enamel. Painting the front sight has greatly improved its visibility and contrast. Aiming is quicker and easier.


__________________

Do you suppose that might be the reason the S&W revolvers come with the orange insert?
str1

 

[TarpleyG]

Even though I like black sights, for my IDPA gun, I put a Dawson Precision fiber optic on. Width is .125" and it really stands out, especially in the sunlight. Made for faster follow-up shots for me.

http://www3.mailordercentral.com/shootingstore/products.asp?dept=1168

 

[stans]

Back when I was getting started in IPSC with a TZ-75 in 9mm, I found the three dot sight arrangement worked really well after I painted the front sight dot with Testor's flourescent green paint, the rear sight retained white dots. It was really quick to pick up the brightly colored sight and it seemed easier to center it between the rear dots.

 

[Grump]

I suggest white basecoat, then the nastiest fluorescent green you can get, and a coat of the new long-lasting green glow-in-the-dark. Clear topcoat. Leave 1/64 to 1/32-inch black on the sides for daylight sighting.

I'm putting Polaris and Ursa Major on my bedroom ceiling with the new-generation glow paint. Dots are between 1/8 and 1/4 inch, and were still faintly visible from 6 feet away after seven hours of darkness. They are pretty bright for at least an hour.

Haven't installed the green stuff with that plan yet, but the first-round experiment with glow paint over blaze orange was not great. The glow was too dull, and it dimmed the orange quite a bit. I'm going with green because it is light enough to act a lot like white dot sights, before it gets dim enough to see the glow. Orange and red suck when the lights go down.

 

[Berg01]

When I repainted the stock sights on my CZ, I used Testors white enamel model paint. I cleaned off as much of the old paint using a needle, then I dabbed in the whte enamel with a sharp toothpick.

 

[jojosdad]

Grump - what is the brand name of this new generation glow paint?
Do you know of an internet source?
Thanks.

 

[Rob96]

I have a Colt 1911, in which oneof the white dots popped out. I bought a bottle of Testors Safety Green and filled in the dots. Unbelievable how quick the sights are to pick up with this color.