Sandblast GSG 1911 slide? Safe?

[loyalgunfighter]

Hi,
The paint on my GSG 1911 slide is terrible, I saw someone removed the paint with steel wool. I wonder if I can just sandblast the slide. Is it good to sandblast an aluminum slide? Will it look stupid?
Thanks

[SMR510]

If you sandblast it it will look darker in color than if you removed it with other methods like steel wool or a paint stripper. I think it should be fine but it will probably oxidize over time.

[loyalgunfighter]

oxidize sounds bad. Maybe just steel wool or sand paper. Do I still need to repaint it to avoid any bare aluminum deterioration?

If you sandblast it it will look darker in color than if you removed it with other methods like steel wool or a paint stripper. I think it should be fine but it will probably oxidize over time.

[elsolo]

Is it Zamak (pot metal) or aluminum

do not blast soft metals like Al, it opens pores and makes them filth magnets

[redhemi]

I used 800 wet-dry to remove the paint then 1000 to give it a brushed look, cleaned it good and then used auto high temp clear coat for the finish.

[hermosabeach]

Almost all bare metals react

Iron / steels rust

Aluminums oxidize

It probable would cost more than a new pistol to have the entire gun hard anodized - like an AR receiver

The cheaper way to protect the bare metal would be a spray can of Alumnahyde 2 from brownells

It is a solvent proof air cure epoxy spray

For a small job it is much easier than the home duracote kits

Unless you want a specific look, enjoy it as it sits today.

Shoot it
Clean it
Lube it
Wipe down with a silicon cloth

Easy

[PrepperThyAngus]

Yes, with fine sand you can sandblast it. Media blasting is very common in the manufacturer of firearms. Just like any bare metal, it needs to be coated to protect it. Cerakote is another firearm specific coating. Good luck

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[Discogodfather]

Really bad idea to sandblast. Why would you risk damaging the rails? If you hit it with low pressure walnut shells maybe it would be light enough, but your roughing up a surface that needs to be as smooth as possible.

Sandpaper is equally pointless. Try some naval jelly and then thoroughly clean and re-paint with dura or cera.

Raw aluminum will just oxidize rapidly.

[CV62]

[tbc]

I am thinking of replacing my GSG slide with this.

http://www.cwaccessories.com/EXoSKELETON.html

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[loyalgunfighter]

Thank you all. I guess sandblast is not a good idea and bare aluminum is not a good idea either. I will keep the crappy paint on for the time being until I am ready to strip and repaint.