Robar no longer doing metal finishing

RsqVet · September 6, 2019, 10:24 PM

I e-mailed Robar here in Phoenix... got a very curt e-mial that they are no longer taking in metal finishing work... ever...

Sad. Really liked the NP3 finish they did.

Any other companies folks care to recommend? NOT a spray on fan for the most part -- looking for nickel or hard chrome...

FrankenMauser · September 6, 2019, 10:37 PM

Ironic.
A company founded on metal finishing, named after their signature finish, no longer doing metal finishing...

Sevens · September 6, 2019, 10:49 PM

Haha... and here I was thinking that Robbie Barrkman named the company after himself but no, he named the company after his finish?

Bill DeShivs · September 7, 2019, 01:48 AM

Mahovsky's Metalife does nickel and hard chrome quite reasonably.

**Spats McGee** · September 7, 2019, 06:00 AM

Dang. I was hoping to get something refinished by them one day. Granted, I don't know what I'd have done or when . . . .

Screwball · September 7, 2019, 06:04 AM

I loved the guns I had them do for me...

But kind of bummed, as I need to find a new place that does long guns and alloy frames. CCR does everything else for me (in regards to plating), but still want to refinish my P938.

**Unclenick** · September 7, 2019, 03:15 PM

Funny, a lot of their site's finish photos have empty placeholders, but they still have a 2019 pricelist from July, here. No news release or anything. Be interesting to learn what happened?

Dfariswheel · September 7, 2019, 06:33 PM

Probably the all around best gun refinisher is APW-Cogan, and their hard chrome is probably the best available.

http://www.apwcogan.com/

Here's other hard chrome suppliers that are known to do top of the line work.
Each has different pricing and options.
Final finish ranges from the original "orange peel" pearl-gray, to a brushed stainless steel look, to a full mirror finish.
At least one also offers plating inside the bore.
Most have brand names for their chrome plating, but it's all hard chrome.

http://armoloyfw.com/protect-your-fi...h-armoloy-tdc/

Metaloy was owned by Bill Wilson at one time, possible still is.
http://www.originalmetaloy.com/

Tech Plate is big in the aerospace industry and offers about any finish there is.
http://www.techplate.com/firearms_pl.htm

Mahovsky does hard chrome cheaper then most anyone and has had a very good reputation in the past.
However, there's been a few questions about the quality in the last few years from some customers, and his communication sometimes isn't great, phone or email.
http://www.mahovskysmetalife.com/

First choice is Cogan. He has a better reputation then anyone.

Scorch · September 7, 2019, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Probably the all around best gun refinisher is APW-Cogan

Agreed. I have had them do five or six guns over the years and I have been very satisfied. My customers, too, but many of them don't know the difference.

Quote:

Tech Plate is big in the aerospace industry and offers about any finish there is.

No. Don't. Just don't. They may know how to plate metal, but they know nothing about firearms refinishing. Not pretty. Nope, nope, nope.

**JohnKSa** · September 7, 2019, 09:09 PM

Disappointing. There were some real advantages to NP3. In particular, it could be plated directly onto aluminum without a strike coating.

Jim Watson · September 7, 2019, 09:25 PM

Steve Owens dba Integrity Arms says he is working with a vendor.

**JohnKSa** · September 7, 2019, 09:49 PM

Looks like Robar isn't just out of the metal-finishing business, they're out of business altogether.

https://www.alloutdoor.com/2019/08/3...ally-business/

Robar, renowned for their self-lubricating NP3 finishes and which has been in business for more than 35 years, is officially closing their doors.

FrankenMauser · September 7, 2019, 10:38 PM

Quote:

When we put that notification up on the website, we had high hopes of someone either purchasing or investing in the company, but it fell through.

Sounds like they tried selling a sinking ship and were surprised that it didn't work out.

Bill DeShivs · September 7, 2019, 11:55 PM

Any electroless nickel can be plated on aluminum. I can do it.

RsqVet · September 10, 2019, 06:19 PM

Thanks guys, will follow up and looks like the project gun will be hard chrome.

Sad Robar is kaput... explains they e-mails were perhaps brief and not up to prior interactions with them. I know markets change blah blah blah but I really liked their work, Forgive me but I will never be a spray finish guy.... sure I have guns with that stuff on them, but it's never something I will seek out for a project.

I would have thought there was enough OEM work for them to stay afloat -- I know they put NP3 on a bunch of parts for more than just firearms companies. Really sad.

claydoctor · September 11, 2019, 05:54 AM

Surprising as I believe they had a presence at the 2019 SHOT Show. That can't be inexpensive.

SGW Gunsmith · October 1, 2019, 12:34 PM

I had them do my slide in the NP3 finish:

This finish wears more harder than the original Tenifer finish.

T. O'Heir · October 1, 2019, 01:26 PM

Look in the Yellow Pages under Metal Finishing. Any place(or product) that has the word 'gun' or 'gunsmithing' in its name usually just costs more. None of the assorted finishes are exactly proprietary anymore either. Especially industrial hard chrome.

Jim Watson · October 1, 2019, 01:53 PM

In the US, you have to have a FFL to work on guns.

I have READ on the internet that Steve Owens dba Integrity and Cajun are going to offer NP3 equivalent.

SGW Gunsmith · October 2, 2019, 09:50 AM

"In the US, you have to have a FFL to work on guns."

Especially, and mainly, if the part kept over-night is the serial numbered part. Then it needs to be recorded in the licensee's bound book for receipt and then disposition. If it's just a grip frame without any serial number, then anyone can do the work.

**Unclenick** · October 2, 2019, 05:07 PM

Only a serial numbered frame or receiver has to go through an FFL. A slide or other part can be done by anybody you trust to do a good job. Just don't expect the refinisher to do gun disassembly or reassembly for you. That goes double if you are sending parts through the mail. Parts only. No serial numbered receiver.

Jim Watson · October 2, 2019, 11:16 PM

That's OK if you are dressing up a Plastic Pistol, but the receiver of a metal gun is the first part I would have plated.

SGW Gunsmith · October 11, 2019, 05:50 PM

That's absolutely true, but there are some very unscrupulous people who do engraving that will forego being licensed to do things the right way. Just a matter of time until they get a visit.

SGW Gunsmith · October 11, 2019, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. O'Heir

Look in the Yellow Pages under Metal Finishing. Any place(or product) that has the word 'gun' or 'gunsmithing' in its name usually just costs more. None of the assorted finishes are exactly proprietary anymore either. Especially industrial hard chrome.

Well, that's only because you're in Canada and nobody likes you.

Bartholomew Roberts · October 11, 2019, 06:43 PM

I imagine that Cerakote cut into the business for Roguard finishes quite a bit since it is cheaper, easier to do, has more color options, and just as good for 95% of the people looking for a finish.

I believe that leaves NP3 as the only proprietary finish they were doing.

September 6, 2019, 10:24 PM	#1
RsqVet Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Posts: 2,474	Robar no longer doing metal finishing I e-mailed Robar here in Phoenix... got a very curt e-mial that they are no longer taking in metal finishing work... ever... Sad. Really liked the NP3 finish they did. Any other companies folks care to recommend? NOT a spray on fan for the most part -- looking for nickel or hard chrome...

September 6, 2019, 10:37 PM	#2
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Ironic. A company founded on metal finishing, named after their signature finish, no longer doing metal finishing... __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

September 6, 2019, 10:49 PM	#3
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Haha... and here I was thinking that Robbie Barrkman named the company after himself but no, he named the company after his finish? __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

September 7, 2019, 01:48 AM	#4
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,980	Mahovsky's Metalife does nickel and hard chrome quite reasonably. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com Last edited by Bill DeShivs; September 7, 2019 at 03:09 PM.

September 7, 2019, 06:00 AM	#5
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	Dang. I was hoping to get something refinished by them one day. Granted, I don't know what I'd have done or when . . . . __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

September 7, 2019, 06:04 AM	#6
Screwball Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2012 Location: ME Posts: 771	I loved the guns I had them do for me... But kind of bummed, as I need to find a new place that does long guns and alloy frames. CCR does everything else for me (in regards to plating), but still want to refinish my P938.

September 7, 2019, 03:15 PM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	Funny, a lot of their site's finish photos have empty placeholders, but they still have a 2019 pricelist from July, here. No news release or anything. Be interesting to learn what happened? __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 7, 2019, 06:33 PM	#8
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Probably the all around best gun refinisher is APW-Cogan, and their hard chrome is probably the best available. http://www.apwcogan.com/ Here's other hard chrome suppliers that are known to do top of the line work. Each has different pricing and options. Final finish ranges from the original "orange peel" pearl-gray, to a brushed stainless steel look, to a full mirror finish. At least one also offers plating inside the bore. Most have brand names for their chrome plating, but it's all hard chrome. http://armoloyfw.com/protect-your-fi...h-armoloy-tdc/ Metaloy was owned by Bill Wilson at one time, possible still is. http://www.originalmetaloy.com/ Tech Plate is big in the aerospace industry and offers about any finish there is. http://www.techplate.com/firearms_pl.htm Mahovsky does hard chrome cheaper then most anyone and has had a very good reputation in the past. However, there's been a few questions about the quality in the last few years from some customers, and his communication sometimes isn't great, phone or email. http://www.mahovskysmetalife.com/ First choice is Cogan. He has a better reputation then anyone.

September 7, 2019, 09:09 PM	#10
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,971	Disappointing. There were some real advantages to NP3. In particular, it could be plated directly onto aluminum without a strike coating. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

September 7, 2019, 09:25 PM	#11
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Steve Owens dba Integrity Arms says he is working with a vendor.

September 7, 2019, 09:49 PM	#12
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,971	Looks like Robar isn't just out of the metal-finishing business, they're out of business altogether. https://www.alloutdoor.com/2019/08/3...ally-business/ Robar, renowned for their self-lubricating NP3 finishes and which has been in business for more than 35 years, is officially closing their doors. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

September 7, 2019, 11:55 PM	#14
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,980	Any electroless nickel can be plated on aluminum. I can do it. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

September 10, 2019, 06:19 PM	#15
RsqVet Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Posts: 2,474	Thanks guys, will follow up and looks like the project gun will be hard chrome. Sad Robar is kaput... explains they e-mails were perhaps brief and not up to prior interactions with them. I know markets change blah blah blah but I really liked their work, Forgive me but I will never be a spray finish guy.... sure I have guns with that stuff on them, but it's never something I will seek out for a project. I would have thought there was enough OEM work for them to stay afloat -- I know they put NP3 on a bunch of parts for more than just firearms companies. Really sad.

September 11, 2019, 05:54 AM	#16
claydoctor Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 450	Surprising as I believe they had a presence at the 2019 SHOT Show. That can't be inexpensive.

October 1, 2019, 12:34 PM	#17
SGW Gunsmith Junior member Join Date: December 31, 2014 Location: Northwest Wisconsin Posts: 285	I had them do my slide in the NP3 finish: This finish wears more harder than the original Tenifer finish.

October 1, 2019, 01:26 PM	#18
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Look in the Yellow Pages under Metal Finishing. Any place(or product) that has the word 'gun' or 'gunsmithing' in its name usually just costs more. None of the assorted finishes are exactly proprietary anymore either. Especially industrial hard chrome. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 1, 2019, 01:53 PM	#19
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	In the US, you have to have a FFL to work on guns. I have READ on the internet that Steve Owens dba Integrity and Cajun are going to offer NP3 equivalent.

October 2, 2019, 09:50 AM	#20
SGW Gunsmith Junior member Join Date: December 31, 2014 Location: Northwest Wisconsin Posts: 285	*"In the US, you have to have a FFL to work on guns."* Especially, and mainly, if the part kept over-night is the serial numbered part. Then it needs to be recorded in the licensee's bound book for receipt and then disposition. If it's just a grip frame without any serial number, then anyone can do the work. Last edited by SGW Gunsmith; October 2, 2019 at 10:09 AM.

October 2, 2019, 05:07 PM	#21
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	Only a serial numbered frame or receiver has to go through an FFL. A slide or other part can be done by anybody you trust to do a good job. Just don't expect the refinisher to do gun disassembly or reassembly for you. That goes double if you are sending parts through the mail. Parts only. No serial numbered receiver. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

October 2, 2019, 11:16 PM	#22
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	That's OK if you are dressing up a Plastic Pistol, but the receiver of a metal gun is the first part I would have plated.

October 11, 2019, 05:50 PM	#23
SGW Gunsmith Junior member Join Date: December 31, 2014 Location: Northwest Wisconsin Posts: 285	That's absolutely true, but there are some very unscrupulous people who do engraving that will forego being licensed to do things the right way. Just a matter of time until they get a visit.

October 11, 2019, 06:43 PM	#25
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	I imagine that Cerakote cut into the business for Roguard finishes quite a bit since it is cheaper, easier to do, has more color options, and just as good for 95% of the people looking for a finish. I believe that leaves NP3 as the only proprietary finish they were doing.

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