Info on refinishing specifics.

Stovep1pe · June 1, 2011, 12:40 PM

Hey, new to the forums, happy to be here. Recently bought a para 1911 gi expert. Those of you that know anything about Para-Kote won't be surprised to hear that the proprietary concoction is quickly wearing off from roughly a week in a sift blackhawk holster. So does anyone know if the slide is stainless beneath the junk powder coat? Also if I were to take the easy route and send it off to be refinished is hard chrome a good way to go? I love the gun other than the crappy finish.

GURU1911 · June 1, 2011, 03:07 PM

"robar company" in arizona---their "np3" finish is da-bomb !!!!
Their website is www.robarguns.com

"coal creek armory" in tennessee also does refinishing work. www.coalcreekarmory.com

guru1911

GURU1911 · June 9, 2011, 10:04 AM

Easy way to find out: Procure a strong magnet & touch it to the slide. If the magnet sticks firmly, then the slide is either carbon steel or a stainless which has a high-carbon content. If the magnet refuses to stick or has a limp attraction to the slide, then the slide is a low-carbon high chromium stainless alloy.

I am betting the magnet will be strongly attracted to the slide. Report back to this forum your discovery. Thanks !!!!

Guru1911

Bill DeShivs · June 9, 2011, 10:11 AM

The Stainless used in guns will attract a magnet.
Call Para Ordnance and ask them. If the slide is stainless, no refinishing is necessary. If it's carbon steel, hard chrome is the most durable finish commonly available.

Gunplummer · June 9, 2011, 12:08 PM

I can not remember the outfits name, but years ago I had dealings with a refinisher that could blue stainless. If I remember correctly they did something called "Iron Plating" first. They also claimed that this process would give even bluing on welded areas. Anybody else know anything about this. I never had anything done by this process.

Bill DeShivs · June 9, 2011, 12:28 PM

It can be done, but you are adding an inferior finish on a metal that does not need a finish, it will wear easily, and the finish will actually rust.

June 1, 2011, 12:40 PM	#1
Stovep1pe Junior Member Join Date: June 1, 2011 Posts: 1	Info on refinishing specifics. Hey, new to the forums, happy to be here. Recently bought a para 1911 gi expert. Those of you that know anything about Para-Kote won't be surprised to hear that the proprietary concoction is quickly wearing off from roughly a week in a sift blackhawk holster. So does anyone know if the slide is stainless beneath the junk powder coat? Also if I were to take the easy route and send it off to be refinished is hard chrome a good way to go? I love the gun other than the crappy finish.

June 1, 2011, 03:07 PM	#2
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Refinishing options to consider "robar company" in arizona---their "np3" finish is da-bomb !!!! Their website is www.robarguns.com "coal creek armory" in tennessee also does refinishing work. www.coalcreekarmory.com guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

June 9, 2011, 10:04 AM	#3
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Stainless slide ???? Easy way to find out: Procure a strong magnet & touch it to the slide. If the magnet sticks firmly, then the slide is either carbon steel or a stainless which has a high-carbon content. If the magnet refuses to stick or has a limp attraction to the slide, then the slide is a low-carbon high chromium stainless alloy. I am betting the magnet will be strongly attracted to the slide. Report back to this forum your discovery. Thanks !!!! Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

June 9, 2011, 10:11 AM	#4
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,984	The Stainless used in guns will attract a magnet. Call Para Ordnance and ask them. If the slide is stainless, no refinishing is necessary. If it's carbon steel, hard chrome is the most durable finish commonly available. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

June 9, 2011, 12:08 PM	#5
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	Blue on Stainless I can not remember the outfits name, but years ago I had dealings with a refinisher that could blue stainless. If I remember correctly they did something called "Iron Plating" first. They also claimed that this process would give even bluing on welded areas. Anybody else know anything about this. I never had anything done by this process.

June 9, 2011, 12:28 PM	#6
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,984	It can be done, but you are adding an inferior finish on a metal that does not need a finish, it will wear easily, and the finish will actually rust. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com