How would I color my glock lower frame

[boosterboy]

Please excuse the silliness of the scenario.

I'm build a desert tan loadout for my airsoft hobby, and I have this glock airsoft gun.

The lower frame is an ABS plastic. It's a relatively tough material.



If i want that color/finish for the lower frame, what coloring agent should I use.

I don't think krylon would work.

Are there any ABS staining agents that would leave that color? when i say staining agent, I mean a non aerosol paint, something that I can soak the slide in, wait a couple of days for the slide to change colors.

can I use a thin coat of krylon and put a finish over it to protect it from wear and tear.

[glen avon]

duracoat.

no stain that I am aware of. and glocks aren't ABS, they are a nylon.

[s281c]

I haven't doen any research on the material differences between the HK's and Glocks, and I haven't used anything from this guy's website, but he seems to have some ideas on a dye process for polymer guns, maybe email him to see if his ideas would work on Glocks?

http://alpinetek.netfirms.com/guns/SL8/

[Josh]

so do you want to color a firearm frame or an airsoft frame?

Krylon with a lightly sprayed clear coat to keep the dull look will work but it is just paint and will flake off. This has been used to paint other rifles and stocks with much success.

Dying would not work since you are going to a (much) lighter color, unless you can somehow bleach it prior.

[boosterboy]

thanks

duracoat.

no stain that I am aware of. and glocks aren't ABS, they are a nylon.

Thanks for the advice, I just checked, my Airsoft glock is actually made of nylon too.

[xenophobe]

RIT Dye.

You can get it at any grocery or drug store. Works on most plastics, ABS, Rubber, Polymer, Nylon, Vinyl... YES it works on rubber, I didn't think it would, but it most certainly does. I have a rubber objective cover for my Leica Trinovid 12x50 binoculars, and all I could get was green. Used RIT and worked like a charm, and has held up.

You heat the water to boiling, add the RIT, and then soak the frame in the hot mix for a couple hours. Wash it in hot water to let it bleed, then cold water, sit and let dry.

That's how my grey HK USC got dyed black.

[Ericthenorse]

Cadillac sells great vynil dyes for their interiors.. get it through the parts counter... they are spray on, but they bond and soak in.. not just a paint.. I am sure they have one in desert tan...

[boosterboy]

I haven't doen any research on the material differences between the HK's and Glocks, and I haven't used anything from this guy's website, but he seems to have some ideas on a dye process for polymer guns, maybe email him to see if his ideas would work on Glocks?

http://alpinetek.netfirms.com/guns/SL8/

Josh is right, my airsoft glock frame is already black so i can't dye it to lighter color.

Alpinetek also said:
"This system will allow "darkening" of Grey (or White) colored polymer stocks to Dark Green or Black. Green stocks can be made Black. I am continually experimenting, and updating this info. Dark stocks CANNOT be made "Lighter", so please do not ask. It is simply impossible. the very attributes of the special dyes, equipment, and procedures involved in this process that allow these changes to be made, also prohibit it from working on Dark colors. "

So are there any other dyes out there that will work on nylon?

[Ericthenorse]

You will not be able to DYE it... Your only option will be to use some kind of paint.. The Cady stuff is a spray on "dye"... they call it that because it has some solvent in it that makes it bond with vinyl (and other plastics) and won't flake or chip off... You can also try the stuff that is sold by most places that sell old Mustang parts....(sorry, I am more of a car guy than a gun guy...) same principle as the Caddystuff, but a little cheaper...

Just like dying a T shirt, you can only dye to a darker color... If you want to go lighter, you have to bleach it. It works because the dye on clothes is usually applied to the thread, and can come off.... This will not work on your frame since the color is IN the plastic...

[BigAL]

Thanks for the advice, I just checked, my Airsoft glock is actually made of nylon too.

"Nylon" is pretty generic and I very much doubt they are the same derivative of plastic as Glock's formula is pretty hush hush about the exact composition *i.e. fillers, plasticizers, etc).

[CWatson]

Krylon Fusion paint.

CW

[boosterboy]

I'm assuming

Yes, nylon is a broad term.

Is there anything I can do that would give me this kind of finish and leave the trademarks still sharp and contrasting.

I looked here

http://glockmeister.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/376

I know my airsoft glock's frame's nylon isn't as heat resistant as real glocks so i can't really send it in and have them bake the frame with the CeraKote ceramic powder.

As for krylon fusion, can i put a matte duracoat over it?

[boosterboy]

Thanks alot

I really appreciate you guys answering my question with welcoming arms, even for such a silly subject like airsoft.

I should have done more research before asking.

I did more research and it seems the most economical solution is krylon fusion desert tan.

If i can afford, i'll get a duracoat kit.

[xenophobe]

lol... excuse me I thought the frame was lighter colored, not black... if it's black, they're right, it won't dye ligher.

Duracoat or something like that will work though.

[glen avon]

glocks are not made out of unobtanium or anything else special. they are made out of nylon, nylon 6, IIRC. but it doesn't look like the Krylon Fusion will stick to nylon. best to call Krylon and ask.

BTW, isn't ironic that the name "krylon" was made using the work "nylon"?