Re-painting the front sight on an 870...

[TCW]

Hi,
I bought a jar of Testors enamel Fluorescent orange model paint for the front sight of my 870 (rifle sighted). Right now it is just silver metal. I want this paint to last...Is there any kind of preparation I should do to the metal? Priming? Cleaning? Post-paint-coating?

Thanks!
TCW

[Al Thompson]

IMHO, degrease with rubbing alcohol, paint, after the paint dries, coat with clear nail polish. Should last a pretty long time.........


Giz

[Dave McC]

I use straight grain alcohol to degrease and clean, then dab it on with a toothpick.

BTW, my Deer 870 has a glossy White dot, it stands out better in low light against a deer's shoulder. Yellow and Orange are better for general use, IMO.

[Dfariswheel]

As above, degrease throughly. Paint the sight with a coat of white paint first and allow to dry. Then paint with the fluorescent
red. The white under coat makes the red fluoresce (sp) better.

Another high vis color is fluorescent lime green.

[KSFreeman]

I had an 870 once with a front bead that I painted with orange jig paint [insert banjo music here]. It helped me though.

Good luck and good shooting (how can shooting ever be bad?).

[Clemson]

Brownells sells an assortment of different sight beads -- hi vis, ivory, Ray-Bar's, etc. -- most under $5 and none over $10. It seems to me that it might be your best bet to screw in a new bead.;)

[TCW]

Thanks for the repiles. Good info!
TCW:)

[TCW]

Well...all the recommendations worked except for the clear nail polish. It disolved the enamel paint! It turned the white and orange layers into a gooey mess.

Hmmm...:confused:

[Dave McC]

Some do, some don't, from when I did a lot of fly tying. Try again,and skip the polish. You may have to repaint more, but it's a quickneasy job.

[Al Thompson]

Oops.. I used the automotive spot paint found at Wal-Mart.

Giz

[slick slidestop]

If you use alcohol, use pure graine, not regular rubbing alcohol as it will leave an oily residue. I'd stick with hot thinner

[Dave McC]

Straight grain alcohol is good stuff. Besides its talent as a beverage ingredient, that is. Good fire starter in wet weather, antiseptic, and general small part cleaner/degreaser.

[TCW]

Where can you get straight grain?

[Dave McC]

Liquor stores, especially those near Frat Row at colleges(G). Everclear is a common brand.

[TCW]

Thanks, Dave...I won't ask how you knew that ;)