SIGforum
Refinishing questions
April 27, 2017, 01:53 AM
1SilverfoxRefinishing questions
I am looking at sending a few of my well worn pistols to have them refinished. I am concerned about how the refinishing holds up. I am weighing the various finishes such as Cerakote, Ceraplate, Gunkote etc. I am particularly interested in finishes that look like stainless.
Mine aren't safe queens so I was hoping that some of you that have refinished pistols that are shot frequently will post some pics showing the wear. Please post what finish you used also and your opinion of it.
thanks
April 27, 2017, 02:51 AM
SSAreGreatI do not have one but people who have used NP3 love the finish. It is expensive but after you shoot hundreds of rounds through the gun you simply need to wipe it down to clean it.
The armorer at my range have seen multiple guns with this finish and he raves about it.
https://robarguns.com/custom-firearm-finishes/np3/
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April 27, 2017, 06:05 AM
dc54I have several NP3 finished guns and they are remarkably slick. Only issue I had was a 1911 where the rear sight wouldn't stay in place because it was so slick. A little dovetail adjustment and things have been fine. The finish has held up great and looks great. Having the small part done in NP3 also is a plus.
Sigs, HKs, 1911s, Berettas, Glocks and SW revolvers
April 27, 2017, 07:06 AM
Sunset_VaOnly 3 finishes/treatments I know of that reduce wear to a minimum
1. Hard Chrome
2. Ion Bond DLC -Black or any of the colors-
Silver-Bronze-FDE
3. Robar NP3
Any of the spray on finishes will eventually show wear.
美しい犬
April 27, 2017, 11:09 AM
captain127Refinishing is not something I am a fan of at all. Then again I like the looks of a worn working gun, but hear me out:
1) refinishing costs money-
2) if done to a collectible gun absolutely reduces value, so you paid to decrease the value
3) in working guns I'd does not add value, so you paid to leave value the same
4) with working guns it can become a vicious cycle wear gun refinish use gun wear gun refinish. As long as a gun works and is not having rust issues due to the finish loss just keep trucking
April 27, 2017, 04:44 PM
P-220I have P-220's with NP3 and Cera-Plate II. Both have held up very well.
I have over 10K rounds through the NP3 and it still looks like the day it came back from Robar.
Niech Zyje P-220
Steve
April 27, 2017, 04:55 PM
12131quote:
Originally posted by captain127:
Refinishing is not something I am a fan of at all. Then again I like the looks of a worn working gun, but hear me out:
1) refinishing costs money- Umm, everyone knows this.
2) if done to a collectible gun absolutely reduces value, so you paid to decrease the value Most guns are not collectible. Many folks like a "new", or different, look on their guns. Hence, the refinishing. I don't think anyone refinish their guns solely for the purpose of making money out of them.
3) in working guns I'd does not add value, so you paid to leave value the same See above.
4) with working guns it can become a vicious cycle wear gun refinish use gun wear gun refinish. Nothing wrong with that.
As long as a gun works and is not having rust issues due to the finish loss just keep trucking I don't disagree with you. I have both nasty original guns and refinished guns, and I like them both.
Q
April 27, 2017, 06:05 PM
RNshooterquote:
Originally posted by Sunset_Va:
Only 3 finishes/treatments I know of that reduce wear to a minimum
1. Hard Chrome
2. Ion Bond DLC -Black or any of the colors-
Silver-Bronze-FDE
3. Robar NP3
Any of the spray on finishes will eventually show wear.
I would add W. E. Birdsong's Black-T to this list.
Bruce
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April 27, 2017, 06:14 PM
12131quote:
Originally posted by RNshooter:
quote:
Originally posted by Sunset_Va:
Only 3 finishes/treatments I know of that reduce wear to a minimum
1. Hard Chrome
2. Ion Bond DLC -Black or any of the colors-
Silver-Bronze-FDE
3. Robar NP3
Any of the spray on finishes will eventually show wear.
I would add W. E. Birdsong's Black-T to this list.
Bruce
CCR CPII, also.
Q
April 27, 2017, 08:24 PM
1SilverfoxMost of the pistols that I want refinished are police trade-in Berettas that have extensive holster wear. Nothing exotic or rare.
quote:
Originally posted by 12131:
quote:
Originally posted by captain127:
Refinishing is not something I am a fan of at all. Then again I like the looks of a worn working gun, but hear me out:
1) refinishing costs money- Umm, everyone knows this.
2) if done to a collectible gun absolutely reduces value, so you paid to decrease the value Most guns are not collectible. Many folks like a "new", or different, look on their guns. Hence, the refinishing. I don't think anyone refinish their guns solely for the purpose of making money out of them.
3) in working guns I'd does not add value, so you paid to leave value the same See above.
4) with working guns it can become a vicious cycle wear gun refinish use gun wear gun refinish. Nothing wrong with that.
As long as a gun works and is not having rust issues due to the finish loss just keep trucking I don't disagree with you. I have both nasty original guns and refinished guns, and I like them both.
April 27, 2017, 09:13 PM
Sunset_VaTo the OP-- I don't have any Hard Chrome or Nickel guns, only one Stainless revolver.
But since you asked for examples, I will show my recently most favorite finish/treatment, Ion Bond DLC. This was done Matte on my Walther PPS.
It resembles Black Manganese Parkerization, or the old Glock Tennifer treatment. My PPS slide had the Tennifer treatment, but all the surface finish had worn off, so I had it treated with Ion Bond.
The subject of finishes is brought up a lot in Sig Forum, everyone has their favorites and everyone has their viewpoints on to refinish or not.
I only own one or two blued guns, the rest have been treated/refinished with a more wear/corrosion finish.
美しい犬
April 27, 2017, 09:28 PM
12131This former P6 of mine (now belongs to another SF member) had the slide done in CPII. In trying to see how it stands up to wear, I did an accelerated wear "study". The first 2 pics are the gun fresh, never holstered. The 3rd pic shows the gun after almost 1100 in & out of a Ryan Grizzle holster.
If there was any wear at all, I didn't see it.
Q
April 27, 2017, 09:37 PM
1Silverfoxthat looks along the lines of what I am looking for.
quote:
Originally posted by 12131:
This former P6 of mine (now belongs to another SF member) had the slide done in CPII. In trying to see how it stands up to wear, I did an accelerated wear "study". The first 2 pics are the gun fresh, never holstered. The 3rd pic shows the gun after almost 1100 in & out of a Ryan Grizzle holster.
If there was any wear at all, I didn't see it.
April 27, 2017, 10:13 PM
eldeFor what it's worth: I've had four guns refinished in CCR's CP11 over the past few years. My experience is identical to that of Mr. 12131.
Highly recommended and also a value for the price paid.
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April 27, 2017, 10:46 PM
rbmcmjrI'll add my support to the CP-II camp. I have it on a couple of pistols and if they have wear it is beyond my abilities to discern.
April 27, 2017, 11:15 PM
1SilverfoxI like that CPII finish for the slides, but can it be used on alloy or lightweight frames such as that P6 or a Beretta 92? If not, what finish will match?
April 27, 2017, 11:33 PM
12131quote:
Originally posted by 1Silverfox:
I like that CPII finish for the slides, but can it be used on alloy or lightweight frames such as that P6 or a Beretta 92? If not, what finish will match?
No, CCR will not plate alloy frames. If you go with CCR, then try their Ni-kote on the alloy frame to match the CPII as much as possible.
From CCR's website:
quote:
Ni-kote is a Nickel based alternative finish to tank based Nickel plating. We at CCR have designed Ni-kote for use on Anodized Alloy frames ONLY to be as close of a match to our CPII Nickel/Boron Nitride plating process as possible without having to compromise the factory Anodization. Ni-kote is also a self lubricating finish that offers three forms of lubrication and durability without damage to the alloy frame.
Q
April 27, 2017, 11:42 PM
12131Here is another former P225 of mine, bought from a SF member who had CCR plate the slide in original CP and refinish the frame in Ni-kote. Beautiful, I'd say.
Note it's a little yellow due to lighting, but the slide and frame match perfectly.
Q
April 27, 2017, 11:49 PM
1Silverfoxsweet
quote:
Originally posted by 12131:
Here is another former P225 of mine, bought from a SF member who had CCR plate the slide in original CP and refinish the frame in Ni-kote. Beautiful, I'd say.
Note it's a little yellow due to lighting, but the slide and frame match perfectly.
April 28, 2017, 03:44 AM
soggy_spinoutThe way I look at it is that it's your guns to do with as you please. If refinishing extends the life (and attraction) of the gun for you, by all means do what it takes. Personally I like wear marks; it's honest and it gives the gun character. But there are plenty who feel otherwise, and I can respect that even if it's generally not for me.
The spray-on, baked 'paint' finishes like Cerakote have been getting a lot of ridicule lately, but with my so-coated guns and parts I've found that it's fairly durable, and I'm one who's not particular 'polite' with my firearms. It's no end-all when it comes to abating wear but it nonetheless holds up pretty well. Honestly, ANY finish can be damaged if beat on and harshly treated enough. You can certainly have some fun with colors with these polymer-ceramic coatings; tastefully done I don't see how it can really hurt the value of a relatively modern gun that has an already well-worn finish.