1911 frame finish options

[highintel]

Hi guys, I am trying to figure out the best coating/finish for a steel 1911 frame. Locally I have options between cerakote, parkerizing, anodizing and a couple others. I am wondering how to get that nice slick semi gloss finish you see on a lot of Wilson 1911s. What are the benefits of parkerizing? Is bluing a better finish? I want to leave cerakoting as a last resort option. Thanks guys.

[keenkeen]

Scotchbrite is the new hot finish for custom high end 1911s owned by true connoisseurs.

[skosh69]

I vote for Hard Chrome!!! I know you didn't list it, but that's my fave.

Scotchbrite is the new hot finish for custom high end 1911s owned by true connoisseurs.

Buwahahahahaha

He'll be forever known around CG's for that

[Rhyyke]

Scotchbrite is the new hot finish for custom high end 1911s owned by true connoisseurs.

Don't forget the clearcoat to make it really shine!

[HibikiR]

^Refering to this:http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s....php?t=1046377

There are a number of places that can do bluing, Wilson Combat included.

However:
-Bluing looks great, but isn't as durable as Parkerizing.
-Both require oil for rust protection, but Parkerizing creates better pores for holding oil.
-Other finishes (Cerakote, Roguard, Armor-Tuff) are generally superior in protection

If you like Wilson Combat's work, just ask them what they use for any of their 1911s that catch your eye.

[highintel]

Cerakote would be stronger than parkerizing? I've had metal cerakoted before but it didn't have that nice smooth slick look to it. That's what I am mainly trying to avoid.

[ramathorn]

Parkerizing will get you a flat grey. Anodizing is for aluminum. Bluing is not cheap and will wear but looks fantastic. Cerakote is inexpensive, durable and looks nice. Want it shiny, add lots of gloss hard-coat.

Your only two options is bluing and cerakoting. If you like the classic gloss look, get it blued. It'll have higher up keep but it looks nice. Cerakote is your cheapest option and will end up very nice. Plus cerakote is easy to redo later if you want a change or would like to keep it perfect.

Your last option if you like the Wilson Combat finish is to send it to them for their ARMOR-TUFF treatment (if they'll even do it). I'd just cerakote it but to each their own, and anyway what do i know.

[HibikiR]

Cerakote would be stronger than parkerizing? I've had metal cerakoted before but it didn't have that nice smooth slick look to it. That's what I am mainly trying to avoid.

Yeah, remember that Parkerizing is old tech and has limitations because of that. Bluing is even older and suffers from greater limitations.



Theoretically (I've never seen any live examples) you can mix SOCOM Blue with more hardener to get a close look to hot bluing.

Another theory is to go with bluing and use one of Cerakote's new clear coats that's designed to work with polished metal surfaces.

*When going with theory it is always best to try first with scrap gun metal to see if the look you want is possible.

[QXSOUP]

Ionbond.

[NiteQwill]

If you absolutely want the toughest, deepest black finish: Hard Hat.

[highintel]

Parkerizing will get you a flat grey. Anodizing is for aluminum. Bluing is not cheap and will wear but looks fantastic. Cerakote is inexpensive, durable and looks nice. Want it shiny, add lots of gloss hard-coat.

Your only two options is bluing and cerakoting. If you like the classic gloss look, get it blued. It'll have higher up keep but it looks nice. Cerakote is your cheapest option and will end up very nice. Plus cerakote is easy to redo later if you want a change or would like to keep it perfect.

Your last option if you like the Wilson Combat finish is to send it to them for their ARMOR-TUFF treatment (if they'll even do it). I'd just cerakote it but to each their own, and anyway what do i know.

Good stuff. Thank you.

[highintel]

Ionbond.

What is ionbond exactly?

[epwegmann]

If you absolutely want the toughest, deepest black finish: Hard Hat.

Hard Hat or a melonite finish is the way to go. Amazing color, damn near indestructible.

[HibikiR]

What is ionbond exactly?

Diamond like carbon bonded to the gun via physical vapor deposition

http://www.jabuie.com/ionbond.html