refinish a Colt Commander satin

[flying]

Hi
I acquired this Colt 70 series 45acp for a cheap price from someone who did not care for it properly.
I cleaned it up but the satin nickel finish has spots on it. Does not seem like pits more like tiny dull/dark spots.
Anyone know if this is reversible or would I be better off having it refinished?
Also what would be the refinish options for this type of finish? Is it possible to have it blued over?
Thanks for any info.

 

[Oro]

What did you do to remove them, and do you have any detailed pictures? Kinda hard to tell from the limited description.

The criticism of that finish is that it was fragile - the satin effect would wear quite easily with regular holstering or contact anywhere. The underlying finish didn't wear through, just the uneven top surface that gave it the "satin" effect. This can be "refreshed" I believe with some gentle bead blasting.

Yes, you can blue it or anything else you want to it after stripping the current finish. It's carbon steel underneath same as any other Colt of the era and will take any conventional finish.

 

[rcmodel]

I would try to find a sand-blast guy that would be willing to very throughly clean his equipment of course media and then "vapor-hone" it with baking soda or something very fine like that.

It won't be aggressive enough to remove the nickel but will brighten it back up.

rc

 

[flying]

Thanks folks
Oro I have not removed them but that is what I was asking.
Yes I am not a fan of that finish & was considering having it blued.
Perhaps I will see what a smith says first although not many around here.

 

[rcmodel]

Your only & best option is to send it to Fords or someone and have it reverse electroplated to strip the old finish before bluing.

http://www.fordsguns.com/

Buffing or blasting will not get it all out of the internal cracks & crevasses, or the markings.
Trying to buff it for bluing will destroy the markings before you get it all.

Any trace of it left will not blue.

Were it of lessor value then a Colt, any old gunshop could refinish it. But I would want to preserve it as Coltish as possible.

rc

 

[flying]

Thanks for the link.
You know what you say about it being a Colt is how I feel too.
Like I said I got a great price so I can spend a little on a good job with the finish.I also saw on Colt's site they do refinish too.
I will check that Ford link.
Thanks