What's a good finish to cover pitting or scratches?

[BHPshooter]

Reading a couple of other threads about refinished guns, I was wondering what my best options would be (once I get the money): I've got a FEG Hi Power that sees a lot of handling and use. The finish from the front and back straps is essentially gone, as is the finish on the side of the trigger guard where my trigger finger goes.

Then there's the rust. It isn't all pitted and nasty, but there are a couple of places with minor pitting. There are some minor scratches by the magwell and in other places I can't remember now.

Nothing big and ugly... but I'd like to keep it that way, if possible.

I've been thinking about having it refinished for a while. First my thoughts were Parkerization. I love the look, and it hides pitting and scratches.

Then I was thinking about having it sent off to CCR refinishing to have GunKote applied... Does this stuff protect from rust well? Does it "mask" pitting or scratches well?

When a gun is refinished, is there a process to remove all of the rust before the finish is applied? (just got to cover my bases, here).

I love the worn look -- it's got a lot of character. But I don't like having to deal with rust. Should I try cosmoline before I decide (someday) to have this refinished?

Thanks,
Wes

 

[BeLikeTrey]

Parkerizing is my fav.

So much so, that I bought a home workshop parkerizing info book at one of the last gunshows. It's kind of involved, but not too bad. Parkerizing seems to hold up pretty well too! Good luck!

 

[Sean Smith]

Have Gunkote put over parkerizing. You will have great rust resistance, and it will hide just about anything.

 

[cracked butt]

Duct tape.

Or you can polish out the scratches and pits before refinishing.

 

[cratz2]

Most refinishing houses have flaw removal... many of them require you to pay for flaw removal before they apply some of their finishes.

I would guess that parkerizing or one of the various polycoats would be your best bet... Things like hard chrome are generally applied WAY too thin to cover up pitting or scratches.

 

[cratz2]

I swear I only pressed that button once...