Barrel and Slide Repaint?

[gzibin]

I have the KJW G23 and want to repaint the metal slide and barrel silver. Now I heard that it is actually silver underneath the black paint. But sanding it would take out the engravings. What type of paint have you guys here found successful when doing this kind or repaint? Keeping in mind, this isn't a camo job, its just a solid colour on metal. Thanks guys.

[ILLusion]

engravings are in the metal. If you're sanding off just the black paint surface, you won't lose the engravings.

[gzibin]

So if I lightly sand the paint off, I should be fine, but what about the sights? aren't those plastic?

[gandar]

If it's a metal slide, you should be fine to use paint thinners on it though, just make sure you dont' get them on any plastic parts, then you don't have to worry about scuffing the metal too much, or anything like that.

[CDN_Stalker]

They are mentioning sanding because the aluminum the slide is made out of can be polished or whatever, NOT because you can paint it silver after.

[gandar]

I realize that, but I would think taking the paint off with thinners and then buffing the aluminum would yield better results.

[gzibin]

right, but if the sights are plastic, then really there is no point in sanding as there as the sights will still remain black. If I can get away with not painting that would be good. But will paint thinner remove the black coating on the sight? If its not actually plastic, besure to let me know.

[gzibin]

Just for a quick update, I am soaking the barrel and slide in paint thinner. I'll repaint the plastic sights silver myself, but the paint doesn't seem to be comming off, I'll leave it overnight

[mcguyver]

usually manufacturers use a powder coat to get the seemless and durable finish needed for gbb's. lacquer thinner and acetone won't even touch the stuff. brake cleaner will, but a wire brush is needed. if you use a brass brush it is softer than the aluminum or zinc alloys used on these guns and usually won't scratch up the metal. but be prepared for some work to get the metal to a clean finish.

[ILLusion]

you know the sights can (and SHOULD) be removed...

thinner will turn your plastic sights into little more than mush.

It also won't do squat to the powder coating.




EDIT: *doh!* mcguyver beat me to it.

[damage]

easy off oven cleaner will do the job :salute: . safe on plastic too. old hobbyist trick :tup: . done that many times.

[gzibin]

well, its been soaking for an hour and I can see specs of alluminum in places that I couldn't see before. I threw in some turpintine too. Where would I get break cleaner in canada? I checked canadiantire's website and I couldn't see any on there.

EDIT: I think I'll have better luck finding oven cleaner, thanks for that suggestion.

[damage]

hey I just realize that your from Langley. Well for that easy off oven cleaner you'll find that locally CT, LD and Superstore. Pretty easy to use. Spray and leave it for half to an hour then rinse it with water. Then polish it. my two cents

[Murdoc]

I can recommend our product called Arma-Coat which is designed for firearms and can be applied to any metal, plastic or wood. It is a very strong coating that we manufacture here in Canada. It can be applied at home, and can be left for a complete air cure or you can bake it to speed it up. If you want to have a superior finish on your pistol that will last you a very long time give us a call, or visit our website at www.armacoat.net.

[gzibin]

Thanks for all the input guys, it;s greatly appreciated. I went down to Home Hardware, and told them what I wanted to do, they told me oven cleaner wouldn't work at all. The reason paint thinner doesn't work is because the paint is fully dried, and it still has to be a little wet for paint thinner to work. I ended up getting this 6 dollar bottle of paint remover designed for removing from metal. Kudo's to the reccommendation on the brass brush, it is working well, I've been at it for just under an hour now and it removes the paint with a little elbow grease, I'll be sure to post some before and after pictures. The only thing I have left to consider is the final step. Can I polish it, or must I buff it?