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AR15.COM
3/10/2009 9:10:30 PM EDT
I just picked up a 2nd gen 19 at a gun show. The frame had a lot of holster wear, but I got it for a good price. It's just a looks thing, but I bead blasted the frame as it was shiny all over from the wear. It looks a little better, but do you guys have any ideas for freshening up the frame besides a coating or just stippling it?
3/10/2009 9:22:35 PM EDT
[#1]
You bead blasted the frame?  Pics of this I gotta see.

Stipling can be done with a sodering iron or a wood burning kit, in whatever amount or areas you wish.  Coating can be done with Duracoat.
3/10/2009 9:38:02 PM EDT
[#2]
Yeah, I'm too anal retentive for my own good. I should have waited for a better one, but the price was right, I really wanted a 2nd Gen, and it needed a good home. The glossy frame just looked awful, so I threw it in a buddy's blasting cabinet. I think it turned out ok, I was just checking to see if anybody had any neat ideas for sprucing up an old clunker. Anyway, here are the pics as requested.
ETA- I stippled a 17 I had, but I don't think I want to do it to this one. Who knows, I may get bored and fire up the wife's wood burner again




3/10/2009 9:59:14 PM EDT
[#3]
Well, I have to say, I didn't think it would look good.  I was wrong.  Looks just fine that way.  Is it the lighting or does it look sort of grey?  Still, from here, it looks just fine.
3/11/2009 4:35:19 AM EDT
[#4]
Did you bead blast the slide as well?

It looks pretty good. I would have thought that the blasting would have pitted the frame. Nice job.
3/11/2009 5:25:26 AM EDT
[#5]
I haven't done anything to the slide. The frame turned out a little gray, but clp darkens it up a little, and it doesn't get slick. It has a sort of suede feel to it. Thanks for the comments. I should have taken some before pics, but imagine around the grip, no texture, just shiny black. I was actually hoping to get it a little rougher, but if you guys think she's ok, I may just leave it alone and carry it.
3/11/2009 1:07:36 PM EDT
[#6]
I am pleasantly surprised at the results.

When I read your first post, I thought but it came out lookin' pretty neat.

Kind of a "matte gray" thing you got goin' on there. Once you "wet" the frame with CLP and wipe off the excess, does it remain darkened or eventually revert to the soft matte gray again?

TK

3/11/2009 1:46:36 PM EDT
[#7]
The frame will eventually lighten back up a little, but the clp seems to soak in pretty well and really doesn't make it slick.
3/11/2009 1:51:24 PM EDT
[#8]
Slap a Hogue on it and call it a day.
3/11/2009 3:09:53 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
The frame will eventually lighten back up a little, but the clp seems to soak in pretty well and really doesn't make it slick.


ArmorAll
3/12/2009 6:30:16 AM EDT
[#10]
Actually, black shoe polish will work wonders. Use some alcohol to clean off the oil, spread it on and then wipe it off.  You'll be pleasantly surprised and best of all, it won't come off on your hands.

 
3/12/2009 6:49:24 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Actually, black shoe polish will work wonders. Use some alcohol to clean off the oil, spread it on and then wipe it off.  You'll be pleasantly surprised and best of all, it won't come off on your hands.  

+1, kind of...

I used the Black shoe polish trick when I removed the finger grooves from my Gen3 G19 and it worked like a champ. It does not come off on your hands but cleaners like CLP will remove it. That all said, on a whole frame like that I think I would be more inclined to try Duracoat.