Aluminum Frame Finish Repair

[Geezer7]

Colleagues

Does anyone know of a touch-up process that really works--smooth, glossy, blends, durable?

If not, where would you send an otherwise beautiful pre-42 for professional refinishing?

Thanks--in advance
Geezer7

 

[Hondo44]

The factory, presuming you want it to look like it originally did.

 

[ken158]

I don’t believe S&W will refinish an alloy gun and a search here reveals several members that had correspondence with the factory that verifies that they will not.

 

[austintexas]

I think Birchwood Casey makes an aluminum touch-up.
SWCA 892

 

[Alk8944]

There is no way to "repair" the anodized finish on the Airweight guns. The Birchwood Aluminum Black is totally useless. I bought a bottle several years ago, found it didn't work, and threw it away! A black marker does a better job. This is a perfect application for any of the spray-on finishes. I have owned 5 model 12s that all could benefit from re-anodizing, if it weren't for the hazards of doing so.

The reason S&W will not re-finish the Airweight guns is they have to be totally dis-ssembled, all steel parts must be removed. There is too good a likelihood of parts breakage when doing this, particularly the frame itself when removing the barrel.


Before someone says they have removed an Airweight barrel with no problems, so have I in the past, when a used Model 12 cost about $50 instead of $400 to $700 like they do now. They were also current production then too!


There are companies that do anodizing, and others have posted that they have used them. Be aware that you are on your own if they break something or forget to remove any steel from the frame before trying to do the anodizing.

 

[Hondo44]

I don’t believe S&W will refinish an alloy gun and a search here reveals several members that had correspondence with the factory that verifies that they will not.

Thank you Ken for that onfo.

 

[Hondo44]

I have only had experience with Ruger alloy grip frames. There's many places that anodize. I used a local company and for $35 dollars they did an excellent brass color finish on one and black on other like the original from Ruger. But they are easy to separate from all other parts. I also prepared them by removing all old finish, scratches and dings. Now they no longer anodize their grip frames, they powder coat (a baked on finish) them which is a superior finish.

So I would look into powder coating for your Mod 42. The advantage is you won't have to remove parts like the barrel. Since the powder coat is sprayed on, they can mask the barrel with tape when sprayed, then remove the tape and oven bake the assembly. It very closely reproduces the original factory black anodizing with much higher durability.

Below are a few firearms refinishing companies that have very high praise for their work on this forum. You could call to see if any of them refinish alloy guns:

Professional Gunsmith - Accurate Plating & Weaponry | Cogan Custom
https://apwcogan.com/
They do alloy frames! Possibly the best all around metal finisher.

Glenrock Blue Phone: 307-436-2330 Email: [email protected]
Contact Us | Glenrock Blue
Possibly the best bluing operation. Many top custom gunsmiths use them when they want the absolutely finest quality blue job. They offer a true mirror polish finish.

Precision Bluing | America's #1 Bluing Company!
Home | Precision Bluing

Ron's Gun Shop - 262-255-4920, Milwaukee, WI
A top restoration service that can also replicate, not reproduce, original S&W carbonia blue.
Ron's Gun Shop - New & Used Gun Sales & Service. Concealed Carry

Custom Shop, Inc. Montana
Home - Custom Shop
They do S&W revolvers.

 

[Racer X]

And there is clear powder coating, so a clear anodized frame can be somewhat redone with the clear.

The clear powder coating is used on alloy wheels, so it's pretty tough stuff.

 

[Yorkie Man]

I purchased a new Remington 572 for my 60th birthday a few years ago and after firing it several hundred times the finish, black paint, had worn off of the receiver where the empties were ejected. I looked into anodizing the receiver myself and decided to paint it again. I bought a small air brush from Harbor Freight for under $20.00 and used Brownell's Aluma-Hyde.

I had to strip the receiver to bare aluminum and sprayed it with several coats. The finish still looks as good as the day I put it on.

If I was dealing with a frame that had most of it's original finish I would degrease it and spray the entire frame. I did that on a Winchester model 50 with an aluminum frame that had one bare spot and it tuned out great.

 

[chief38]

While I have never tried to touch up the finish of an Aluminum Alloy gun, I have worked with other things made of Aluminum to repair the finish - not a big fan of refinishing Aluminum! At best the repair was descent - but not great. Other than the strength to weight ratio, I dislike Aluminum for most tools, firearms, products and will not usually buy a product made of Aluminum unless I either have no choice or simply can not use steel due to its weight.

 

[Geezer7]

Wow! Thank you SO much, one and all

 

[H Richard]

Don't forget about the "old" Industrial Hard Chrome finish's. Very tough and wear resistant.