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Old January 27, 2012, 02:36 PM   #1
Dino.
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1911-A1 Repro Grips

Is it possible to somehow "age" 1911-A1 plastic grips?
Not looking to sand, scratch, or bang em up to make them look "relic".

I'd just like to know if there's something I can do to knock some of the "gloss" off to give the finish a more "matte" appearance. I'm thinking some sort of chemical to get into the checkering as opposed to sanding.

Thanks
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Old January 27, 2012, 02:47 PM   #2
saemetric
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Hardware stores or auto paint stores sell a spray to"deshine" paint. Its like a spray acetone that you spray on and then quickly air dry. It slightly dulls the finish.
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Old January 27, 2012, 02:59 PM   #3
Dino.
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Thanks saemetric.

I am aware of matte clears, but I'm not trying to add a finish.
I just want to change the appearance of the finish that's there.
Acetone just may do the trick!
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Old January 27, 2012, 06:40 PM   #4
tmlynch
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I once got some carb cleaner on the plastic scales of a Swiss Army knife, and it dulled the shine pretty well.

Good luck!
Tom Lynch
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Old January 27, 2012, 06:50 PM   #5
Chris_B
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I'm thinking that if you put masking tape on the backs, and tumble them in a tumbler filled with walnut shell, you'd be happier with the result than you'd get by a chemical
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Old February 3, 2012, 06:35 AM   #6
webbee
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A paste of baking soda and water applied with a tooth brush might make a more controled dulling of the plastic. Easier water clean-up and no chemical interaction.
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Old February 3, 2012, 07:53 AM   #7
Don P
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Quote:
I'm thinking that if you put masking tape on the backs, and tumble them in a tumbler filled with walnut shell, you'd be happier with the result than you'd get by a chemical
Best suggestion yet and there is always the option of changing the grips out.
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Old February 5, 2012, 02:31 PM   #8
cplane
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Just my 2 cents, But some white(very fine) scotch bright or red scotchbright might be safer than chemicals and can be undone if you don't like it.
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Old February 5, 2012, 02:37 PM   #9
Hawg
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Why not go on ebay and get some cheap wood grips? They'd be easier to work than plastic.
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Old February 6, 2012, 12:50 PM   #10
Chris_B
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Hawg, wood ones technically wouldn't be correct for a 1911A1
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Old February 6, 2012, 01:12 PM   #11
gyvel
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Then go on eBay and get cheap set of used WWII plastic grips. They will be already pre-aged for you.
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Old February 6, 2012, 01:18 PM   #12
Dino.
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Bought a cheap pair of plastic grips on eBay that I didn't particularly care for.
I've since found a nice pair of WWII bakelite grips on GunBroker, aged but very little wear. Perfect.

Thanks guys.
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