What caused these discolored spots on 92 Inox compact frame???

[ryno31]

Hi all,
It's been awhile since I've posted here but the knowledge found here at this forum has never let me down. I was cleaning my 92 Compact Inox tonight when I noticed some peculiar looking spotting on the frame. I'm not sure what it is and the only thing I can come up with is the Hoppes Elite cleaner that I spray into the frame when cleaning has reacted with the metal or Inox finish? I've probably only cleaned the gun 4-5 times since buying it and I was under the impression that Hoppes Elite cleaner was safe for this gun. I always wipe the whole frame down with an oily rag afterwards. Ive used the same cleaner on my Witness .45 in Wunderfinsh and my AR and havent noticed any abnormal spotting. If the spots were just relegated to the grip I would chalk it up to wear (although seemingly premature as I've fired less than 500 rds through it) but the spots are in places that just don't see much wear, especially after less than 500rds. The rest of the gun seems to be in good shape. Being somewhat of a nube if appreciate some feedback as to what these spots are. I'd especially like to hear from other owners of the beretta 92 compact inox and if they experienced the same thing. I will try and post some pics below.Thanks in advance.

 

[ryno31]

Another pic

Please forgive the quality of these pics as the lighting isn't very good.

 

[highorder]

It looks like there is a clear coat of some sort, and oil has penetrated it.

I think the bead blaster might be the best way to restore the finish.

 

[ryno31]

Thanks for your reply. If oil has penetrated the clear coat do I need to take any precautions for anything? Will the spotting become noticeably worse if I do nothing? I find the spots to be aesthetically annoying but I can deal with it...as long as it doesn't get worse. Should I contact Beretta as it seems rather lousy that after less than 500rds I've got a frame/grip covered in spots because of a faulty clear coat? Thanks.

 

[rcmodel]

Call them and whine like a whipped dog.

Maybe they will refinish it.

Or maybe you can't get them to answer the phone.

Either way, you will feel better, or worse.

rc

 

[tarosean]

Hoppes Elite is supposed to penetrate the pores in surfaces it was designed to do so.
Its not going to hurt the aluminum frame underneath... Sucks for sure.

 

[rcmodel]

Its not going to hurt the aluminum frame underneath

Mmmm?

Inox is Italian for Stainless Steel.

I do not believe you can have a Inox aluminum frame.

rc

 

[ryno31]

Looking at the brightside I guess you could say it now has some character. Wish I'd realized that stuff was gonna penetrate the clear coat. Lesson learned. I hate lessons.

 

[tarosean]

^ RC only the slide is SS... The frame remains aluminum just coated in a silver finish.

 

[ku4hx]

How does the gun shoot?

I'd guess the effect is purely cosmetic, but on the outside chance it represents some sort of intergranular corrosion degradation, you might want to call Beretta and ask them.

Does your manual specify any chemicals not to get on the frame? If not, then I'd be like you and think #9 was safe.

 

[Shipwreck]

As someone else stated - the frame is anodized aluminum.. colored to match the stainless steel slide and barrel.

 

[Fremmer]

Interesting location of the spots. At least it's not rust (or doesn't appear to be). Maybe try using CLP and go easy when you wipe the frame?

Sorry about the spots, but it still looks like a nice gun to me.

 

[Pilot]

Mmmm?

Inox is Italian for Stainless Steel.

I do not believe you can have a Inox aluminum frame.

rc

As others have said the INOX slide is stainless steel, the frame like all other 92's except the rare steel framed models are indeed anodized aluminum.

To the OP. I have the same gun (Beretta 92 Compact L/M9A1 Compact) and use M Pro-7 cleaner and lubricant on it with not spots or other issues.

 

[MAKster]

This same problem is common on the S&W airlight revolvers which have an aluminum frame like the 637 and 642.

 

[wolf695]

Yes call the factory! those finnishes are baked on, so a touch up paint stick is maybe your best bet !

 

[ryno31]

Pilot, that is interesting your Beretta doesn't have the spots because I believe (or have read) M-pro7 and Hoppes elite cleaners are essentially the same product sold under different names. It makes me wonder if there wasn't something wrong with the clear coat Beretta put on the frame. I specifically chose the Hoppes Elite because I was told it was strong enough to be a good bore cleaner yet gentle enough not to harm a finish or a polymer frame. I actually thought it was rust when I first noticed it but the more I looked at it it became clear the dots were in the finish itself and the CLP treatment had absolutely zero effect on ANY of the spots. I'm wondering if its an issue that could maybe be buffed out? I'll probably give Beretta a call and see what they have to say about it. Nothing wrong with a little character on a gun but this pistol was supposed to be my one "pretty" gun haha. Thanks for all the info people, this forum never let's me down.

 

[funnelcake]

Need a Beretta aficionado to corroborate, but I thought in addition to being hard-coat anodized, the Inox frames were also clear coated.

Funnel

 

[Beretta9mm]

Also have a discolored inox...any advice?

I too have an 92 Inox, Italian made. Unfortunately long before I learned what to use and what not to use to clean it, I used an oil which discolored the lower (as you can see in the pic). I've used many cleaners to try to remove the discoloration, even very gently using some fine steel wool, but to no avail. Cleaners remove the discoloration by about 20%, but then the discoloration returns within a few weeks.

Any suggestions? Is the discoloration able to be removed? If not, what do you guys recommend? Will Beretta refinish to stock standards if I pay them to do so? If not, any recommended companies to refinish it? Or would you guys recommend simply leaving it alone to avert risking someone making it look worse? I love, love this gun, and would love to return it to it's original beauty.

Thanks in advance!

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

If it's cosmetic, I say leave it alone.

So many people seem to think that it would be the end of the world if their guns get a nick, scratch, or some other blemish on them. Maybe so, for show pieces and collector's items. But in the end, a gun is a tool and tools were meant to be used, which means tools develop these things over their lifetime.

You can't shoot a pistol or revolver without getting wear marks.

You can't carry a pistol or revolver in a holster for weeks, months, years without getting wear marks.

You can't carry a rifle/shotgun through endless woods, fields, and thickets without developing blemishes on the stock.

You can't repeatedly install and remove a magazine without developing associated wear marks.


Take care of your guns, to be sure. Just realize that they WILL develop wear marks, character marks, dings, and so forth over the years if you really do use them and don't let them spend the majority of their lives unused in the box.

 

[KYamateur]

I don't know what causes it. Probably a bad anodizing batch. I have them on a S&W 3913 and a sig p220, both anodized silver to match stainless.