Resolved - w/ Update & Photo. Advice On Removing Gold Filling from Colt Rollmark (1977 Commander)
I just picked up this very clean ~1977 Colt Lightweight Commander at my LGS. While the lighting in my photo makes it appear more white, the slide lettering is actually gold in color. Believing it to simply be gold paint, I tried unsuccessfully to remove it with acetone. Since it didn't budge, I'm now wondering if it is actually real gold. Assuming it is, how would one go about removing it without damaging the original finish? I considered saturating the area with Kroil to see if it might loosen the material though I wanted to check with the pros before I proceed. Thanks in advance for your advice.
Update 03-21-2025
When acetone, Hoppe's & Gun Scrubber proved unsuccessful, I resorted to a mild paint stripper. After allowing the stripper to work, a few passes with a toothbrush removed most of the fill. A second application finished the job. Below is the after photo with a set of genuine stag grips installed.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: hjs157,
March 19, 2025, 03:41 PM
stiab
Have you tried a toothpick? Back in that time frame it was a popular thing to do to use a special gold colored crayon in fill in roll marks. Not a regular crayon, but one made specially for that purpose. Give it a try and see what happens.
"While not every Democrat is a horse thief, every horse thief is a Democrat." HORACE GREELEY
March 19, 2025, 08:26 PM
1KPerDay
Nice piece.
--------------------------- My hovercraft is full of eels.
March 19, 2025, 08:54 PM
M1Garandy
Perhaps it is China marker/grease pencil rather than paint?
March 19, 2025, 09:23 PM
lyman
quote:
Originally posted by stiab: Have you tried a toothpick? Back in that time frame it was a popular thing to do to use a special gold colored crayon in fill in roll marks. Not a regular crayon, but one made specially for that purpose. Give it a try and see what happens.
Thanks lyman. I believe this is what I'm dealing with. During my 40 year involvement with the hobby, I was unfamiliar the Forster Bonanza Gold filling kit until today. Earlier this evening I used acetone and a toothpick to attack the gold lettering. The material is slowly loosening though it's a tedious and time consuming task. Tomorrow I'm going to try blasting the slide with Gun Scrubber. Stay tuned.
March 20, 2025, 04:09 AM
aparoche
Be careful! I know it isn’t hugely rare but to me it is still a grail gun. The lightweight alloy frame model rather than the steel frame. Plus, that thing looks to be near mint condition. Awesome piece.
March 20, 2025, 07:31 AM
hjs157
quote:
Originally posted by aparoche: Be careful!
Will do. It's apparent the previous owner of this 48 year old survivor also viewed it as something of a grail gun. This pistol was part of a local estate comprised of approximately two dozen Colt 1911 style pistols. Interestingly, while the newer model Colt's were all neatly stored in their original blue plastic cases, none of the older models retained their cardboard boxes. I did however locate what I believe to be the original instruction booklet.
March 20, 2025, 10:49 AM
stiab
quote:
Originally posted by lyman:
it was popular, but not from a crayon,
There was a crayon like object also, made specifically for that purpose. Sold at LGS, I owned one, it was easy and effective. Maybe not what the OP is dealing with, but very popular at the time.
Here is my same era Combat Commander Super 38, and below that my same era LWC .45acp...
"While not every Democrat is a horse thief, every horse thief is a Democrat." HORACE GREELEY
March 21, 2025, 01:58 PM
sonnydaze
quote:
Originally posted by aparoche: Be careful! I know it isn’t hugely rare but to me it is still a grail gun. The lightweight alloy frame model rather than the steel frame. Plus, that thing looks to be near mint condition. Awesome piece.
Hey, that gold lettering looks super...I wouldn't touch it...
March 21, 2025, 02:27 PM
kkina
How about laying a black fill directly over the gold? That way you can have a clean look, but the option to go back if need be.
I don’t generally like engraving fills and when done on some guns like Glocks or HK it makes me cringe a bit. Just not my personal thing.
That gold on that 1911, however, looks fantastic to me for some reason. Not saying you shouldn’t do whatever you want for your gun just saying I am surprised at how much I like it.
Take Care, Shoot Safe, Chris
March 21, 2025, 04:05 PM
Greymann
Try some dot 3 brake fluid on the gold paint.
.
March 21, 2025, 04:53 PM
calugo
quote:
Originally posted by sonnydaze:
quote:
Originally posted by aparoche: Be careful! I know it isn’t hugely rare but to me it is still a grail gun. The lightweight alloy frame model rather than the steel frame. Plus, that thing looks to be near mint condition. Awesome piece.
Hey, that gold lettering looks super...I wouldn't touch it...
I agree it looks great and looks original so I wouldn't mess with it and risk mucking up the finish on the slide. Its a great looking gun and seems like removing the gold lettering would devalue the gun.
March 21, 2025, 06:19 PM
calugo
quote:
Originally posted by hjs157: I just picked up this very clean ~1977 Colt Lightweight Commander at my LGS. While the lighting in my photo makes it appear more white, the slide lettering is actually gold in color. Believing it to simply be gold paint, I tried unsuccessfully to remove it with acetone. Since it didn't budge, I'm now wondering if it is actually real gold. Assuming it is, how would one go about removing it without damaging the original finish? I considered saturating the area with Kroil to see if it might loosen the material though I wanted to check with the pros before I proceed. Thanks in advance for your advice.
Update 03-21-2025
When acetone, Hoppe's & Gun Scrubber proved unsuccessful, I resorted to a mild paint stripper. After allowing the stripper to work, a few passes with a toothbrush removed most of the fill. A second application finished the job. Below is the after photo with a set of genuine stag grips installed.
Looked better with the gold lettering
March 21, 2025, 06:42 PM
hjs157
quote:
Originally posted by calugo: Looked better with the gold lettering
What was it that General Patton famously said about pearl handled pistols?
March 21, 2025, 08:30 PM
Genorogers
That clean finish and Stag Grips are a thing of beauty ! Nice work.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: hjs157, 
