442 Front Sight Paint

[deyomatic]

I was handling my 442 Pro tonight and, since I never really look at it, noticed that the front sights are just black. I had some sign painters (pinstripers) OneShot white paint lying around and decided to try my hand at painting the front sight white.

Do you think it will hold up to CLP/ Ballistol?

Thanks.

 

[shouldazagged]

I had a smith inlet a blaze orange insert in the front sight blade of my 640. Helps a lot, and didn't cost a lot. I used to paint them, but I never used CLP/Ballistol in those days.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I don't know anything about the paint you use, but I use Testors enamel paint on my 642's sights and the Break Free CLP I use doesn't seem to have any effect on them, but I don't really apply much CLP around the sights. Why don't you just test it? Put some CLP/Ballistol on your painted sight and see what happens.

 

[Kifaru]

One Shot is for use in sign painting, and as such it has good coverage (as the name implies), and is self-leveling. It is also meant to be durable and weather well. Properly applied One Shot should hold up to the solvents you mentioned at least as well as the factory black finish on the frame of the gun. As with all painting, the prep work is important, but, in this case, not too difficult. Just remove all of the oil and grease from the sight (be sure to get into the serrations), and dry it completely. Some denatured alcohol on a cotton swab should work fine. Make sure there are no residual cotton fibers in the area you wish to paint. Also, apply and cure the paint at room temperature or so. High temps will cause the carrier to volatize, leaving bubbles in the paint that will allow it to flake off easily once dry.

Once cured (16 hours or so), it should withstand many cleanings and holster presentations. And if it does begin to wear a little, it's not a big deal to dab some more on. Show us some pics of your handiwork once completed!

 

[ars1876]

I use the Testor's yellow on my front sights and after they dry over night I put 2 coats of clear finger nail hardener on them and they are good to go for years.Holstering has no effect on them.I've been doing this 30+ years.

 

[jframejoey]

I use Tiger Orange GM touch up paint for cars. Flip it over and it has clear coat to protect the paint on the sight.

 

[CajunBass]

What's the worst thing that will happen?

It will come off?

Reapply it.

 

[326MOD10]

I always take some clear finger nail polish and paint over the paint. Seals it in and on my carry 642 I haven't had to repaint it in over 2 years.

 

[haywood]

I use white apliance touch up paint. Then after my defense Ammo is sighted in I put a small green dot of nail polish for a sighting reference. It holds up well.

 

[bowzette]

I use the Testor's yellow on my front sights and after they dry over night I put 2 coats of clear finger nail hardener on them and they are good to go for years.Holstering has no effect on them.I've been doing this 30+ years.

I paint on the Testor's white as a base, let it dry and then the yellow.

 

[rbmorse]

For the Testor's white: flat or gloss?

 

[zonker5]

I found some bright orange nail polish in the bargain bin at the drug store some years ago, paid 50 cents as I recall. Works well on front sights...and makes a good touch up for craw dad crank baits.

 

[wadcutter1]

I use testers orange. 2-3 coats applied with a toothpick. It seems to hold us just fine the ballistol, hoppes and oil.

 

[gwpercle]

Bic White-Out , flat white , self leveling lacquer .
I use the pen to apply to sight , the brush works too. I keep one in my shooting bag, it's also good as a base coat for fluorescent or colored paints like the Testor's Model paints or hot color nail polishes.
I embarrass my daughter sometimes by asking her opinion on colors when I buy nail polish at wally mart....I pretend like it's for my fingernails....she doesn't like shopping with me !
Gary

 

[gnystrom]

At our range we use regular office "white out" correction paint. I am amazed at how well that holds up.

 

[Bill In Texas]

I'm a fingernail polish guy. My wife jokes that I have more colors than she does! Right now I have a bright green with white under it. Very good in most light! I like the clear nail polish idea, thanks ars1876!

 

[Old cop]

I use white appliance touch-up paint and it works fine. Sometimes I use that as a base coat and apply blaze orange on top of it, depending on the gun and sight picture I'm looking for.

 

[deyomatic]

Well, like a dope, I never even cleaned it before I painted it...but it seems to be holding up. We'll see how long it lasts.