Gun Finishes 1911

[Donny1]

I'm starting a project RIA 1911 and the frame will be Cerakote. I would like all the other parts in an alternate color, beavertail, safety, slide lock, etc to be as close to the same finish as possible.

My question is if all pieces will be finished the same what is the difference in starting with stainless vs blued/black in the end result. In other words if I want them all shiny should I get all stainless to start, if I want to Cerakote accessory parts a different color will a mix of stripped blued/blasted and stainless parts come out different. And does Cerakote over stainless come out as well, better, worse than regular steel. Or am I overthinking and the difference be a non issue.

I have seen many 1911's that have a mix up of different parts/finishes, ie, polished beavertail, satin or matt safety, etc that just look tacky and I don't want that.

[mtenenhaus]

I asked a refinisher this same question recently. My understanding is that much depends upon the preparation. Stainless steel i'm told does not etch as well as carbon steel with some types of media blasting so if it's not done well or appropriately you can have adhesion problems with the coating. That said, if properly prepared i'm told Cerakote works well on both metals.

[Donny1]

I asked a refinisher this same question recently. My understanding is that much depends upon the preparation. Stainless steel i'm told does not etch as well as carbon steel with some types of media blasting so if it's not done well or appropriately you can have adhesion problems with the coating. That said, if properly prepared i'm told Cerakote works well on both metals.

Aluminum oxide blasting is recommended for Cerakote with no mention of anything different for stainless. My decisions now I guess are going to be based on what two tone color scheme I will apply. I was wondering if stainless (beavertail for instance) and polished factory metal parts would go together but I don't think I want that shiny look anyway so I'm thinking blued, black oxide or parkerized parts as they will be tripped anyway.

[xsefan]

It will all match if you use the recommended 100 grit aluminum oxide. Nothing else should be used for prep. Check the cerakote website.