paint over hard chrome?

Metric · May 19, 2020, 10:46 PM

I have a surplus Beretta 81 that is out for hard chrome plating. The front sight is integral with the slide, so it will get hard chromed too. I'm wondering if anyone knows a way to blacken the front sight, after it's been hard chromed, in such a way that won't just immediately rub off. Any ideas?

Bill DeShivs · May 20, 2020, 12:45 AM

You can grind the plating off the face of the sight, and use cold blue.
I would try a good paint, like Alumahyde, first.

pete2 · May 20, 2020, 08:45 AM

Paint ain't likely to stick to the chrome.

dahermit · May 20, 2020, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metric

I have a surplus Beretta 81 that is out for hard chrome plating. The front sight is integral with the slide, so it will get hard chromed too. I'm wondering if anyone knows a way to blacken the front sight, after it's been hard chromed, in such a way that won't just immediately rub off. Any ideas?

I have used spray on sight Black. Do an internet search to find.
The negs are that it over-sprays and will rub off over time but then it can be removed when you want it gone and will not harm your gun.
It is more durable than Black markers.

Bill DeShivs · May 20, 2020, 01:08 PM

Industrial hard chrome finishes are not generally shiny. They have a frosted, bead blasted surface-so paint might stick better than you think.

Metric · May 21, 2020, 09:28 AM

Thank you for the tips. I may try a Birchwood Casey Super Black touch-up pen, and live with the reality that periodic touch-ups will be needed. If that paint is clearly inferior, I'll go with a can of alumahyde or sight black and hope for more durability.

Dfariswheel · May 21, 2020, 01:34 PM

If it's not tool late, call the plater and ask them to mask off the front sight so it remains blued.

I've found that paint adheres fairly well to hard chrome, especially if it's a matte finish.

If you want to file off the hard chrome on the rear of the sight and cold blue it, I recommend Brownell's Dicrophan T4.
This gives a Black color, not blue.
It's also possibly the most durable cold blue and wears very well.

May 19, 2020, 10:46 PM	#1
Metric Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2016 Posts: 338	paint over hard chrome? I have a surplus Beretta 81 that is out for hard chrome plating. The front sight is integral with the slide, so it will get hard chromed too. I'm wondering if anyone knows a way to blacken the front sight, after it's been hard chromed, in such a way that won't just immediately rub off. Any ideas?

May 20, 2020, 12:45 AM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,978	You can grind the plating off the face of the sight, and use cold blue. I would try a good paint, like Alumahyde, first. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

May 20, 2020, 01:08 PM	#5
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,978	Industrial hard chrome finishes are not generally shiny. They have a frosted, bead blasted surface-so paint might stick better than you think. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

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May 20, 2020, 08:45 AM	#3
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	Paint ain't likely to stick to the chrome.

May 21, 2020, 09:28 AM	#6
Metric Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2016 Posts: 338	Thank you for the tips. I may try a Birchwood Casey Super Black touch-up pen, and live with the reality that periodic touch-ups will be needed. If that paint is clearly inferior, I'll go with a can of alumahyde or sight black and hope for more durability.

May 21, 2020, 01:34 PM	#7
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	If it's not tool late, call the plater and ask them to mask off the front sight so it remains blued. I've found that paint adheres fairly well to hard chrome, especially if it's a matte finish. If you want to file off the hard chrome on the rear of the sight and cold blue it, I recommend Brownell's Dicrophan T4. This gives a Black color, not blue. It's also possibly the most durable cold blue and wears very well.