I have a Kimber Series 1 Classic Stainless. It was carried for several years by a friend as his duty gun. Obviously, it shows honest wear. Outside of that, it is in outstanding condition. As such, I was wondering if there is a realistic option to bring it back to like new condition? Picture of the pistol (click on the image to enlarge). Thanks.
[IMG:left] [/IMG]

I'm no expert on bead blasting, but I would think you can just bead blast the gun again.

But if you are looking for alternative finishes, I am a big fan of H&M Metal Processing's Black Nitride finish.

You have a few options, it could be repolished, or taken to a matte, beadblasted, chromed, or coated also.

you'd probably need to either polish it, bead blast it or cerakote it in a bright silver color. Maybe even a hard chrome or nickel finish like NP3 or something along those lines.

Well, I'd rule out bead blast. I bead blasted two DW's that had some honest wear. Looked great for a short time, but that bead blast does not absorb a normal handling mark very well. I'm going to have mine redone as well, so I'll be following this while exploring options also.

Bead blasting them, the bead blasting should last as the stainless is the metal the gun is made out of (not a coating). You could have it polished into a very shiny bbq gun. Or have one of the coatings on it like Ed Brown uses on stainless. I'd have it bead blasted.

I've had stainless 1911s (re)beadblasted a few times. Works like a charm. Cheap, too, as far as finishes go.

I should have mentioned that I would like to bring it back to its original condition. In addition, who would you all recommend? Thx!

Since I prefer a matte finish I like the results of bead blasting. Made a couple of beaten up S&W 3rd gens look like new.

Refinish however you would like. Options are nearly endless. Nickel Boron, nickel, nitride, hard chrome, Cerakote, gunkote, durakote etc... whatever floats your boat.

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
I should have mentioned that I would like to bring it back to its original condition. In addition, who would you all recommend? Thx!

Glenn has done several guns of mine. He does a really great job and in a timely manner.

Unless its full coverage matt finish, the flats would get satin polished while the round surfaces would be bead blasted. There are refinishers here in SIGforum who do quality work.

brillo pad

Look at Severns Custom's Hard Hat treatment. The boys at 1911 forum seem to favor that.

Cherish as is carry and use add your own dings