FDE Colored M&P 40

[SPARC]

Hey guys, I just finished up the coating work on my M&P 40 Full Size and I figured I would post it up to see what you guys think. I haven't seen any pics of one like it, but I'm sure it's been done. If anyone has any questions just ask.

BTW: I'll get more pics up soon, my wife is a photographer and I'm trying to get her to take some better pics.

 

[triaxle]

Looks good . How will it wear ?

 

[Pondhill]

Looks good

 

[SPARC]

Looks good . How will it wear ?

It's not paint, it's actually a baked on coating so continue to look like this for years to come and after countless uses. I've coated many ARs and bolt guns with the same process that still look as good today as they did when I finished them.

Thanks for the comments!

 

[firebirdude]

What product do you use? Any problems coating lighter colors on top of black?

 

[josh8042]

It's not paint, it's actually a baked on coating so continue to look like this for years to come and after countless uses. I've coated many ARs and bolt guns with the same process that still look as good today as they did when I finished them.

Thanks for the comments!

What temperature did you bake at? I've thought about putting baked on coatings on some of my tupperware but I'm afraid of melting and/or warping the frames.

 

[SPARC]

What product do you use? Any problems coating lighter colors on top of black?

I personally use Duracoat, but there are many products out there. Duracoat is applied with an airbrush, but Brownell's makes a spray can product that works really well too. With all of the products the key is in the prep work. The entire piece must be completely clean of all solvents and debris before you start spraying.

Duracoat is quite thick and has no problems covering over any color. I have used it on AR rifles, shotguns, and numerous handguns without any issues.

What temperature did you bake at? I've thought about putting baked on coatings on some of my tupperware but I'm afraid of melting and/or warping the frames.

I bake all of my parts between 180 - 200F for about 35-40 minutes. This temperature is still hot enough to cure the coating, but won't damage polymer parts. I have an old oven in my shop so fumes and such aren't a problem for me, but many people have used the ovens in their house without any problems or ill effects.

 

[PersonalSecurity]

I personally use Duracoat, but there are many products out there. Duracoat is applied with an airbrush, but Brownell's makes a spray can product that works really well too. With all of the products the key is in the prep work. The entire piece must be completely clean of all solvents and debris before you start spraying.

Duracoat is quite thick and has no problems covering over any color. I have used it on AR rifles, shotguns, and numerous handguns without any issues.



I bake all of my parts between 180 - 200F for about 35-40 minutes. This temperature is still hot enough to cure the coating, but won't damage polymer parts. I have an old oven in my shop so fumes and such aren't a problem for me, but many people have used the ovens in their house without any problems or ill effects.

That's an awesome project. I am very interested in trying something similar. I have a few questions, if you don't mind.

1. Why didn't you paint the backstrap? Any chance of this piece melting in the process?
2. Did you completely disassemble the frame?
3. The FDE looks almost gold, but I know first hand how bad FDE and Coyote photograph. I can turn the flash on and off and it looks like completely different colors in the picture. How close would you say the color is to S&W's FDE? Or better, since you mentioned having an AR, how close is the FDE spray to Magpul's FDE?

Also, I would still love to see more pictures if you have the time to upload them.

Awesome project.

Steve
Personal Security Systems Kydex Holsters

 

[SPARC]

That's an awesome project. I am very interested in trying something similar. I have a few questions, if you don't mind.

1. Why didn't you paint the backstrap? Any chance of this piece melting in the process?
2. Did you completely disassemble the frame?
3. The FDE looks almost gold, but I know first hand how bad FDE and Coyote photograph. I can turn the flash on and off and it looks like completely different colors in the picture. How close would you say the color is to S&W's FDE? Or better, since you mentioned having an AR, how close is the FDE spray to Magpul's FDE?

Also, I would still love to see more pictures if you have the time to upload them.

Awesome project.

Steve
Personal Security Systems Kydex Holsters

1. I didn't want to paint the backstrap because I was trying to keep a little bit of black on the frame to break up the FDE. The backstrap shouldn't melt, but to be safe I would probably bake it at a lower temperature for a little longer.

2. I only removed the slide, mag release, and backstrap. I taped off the top of the frame to ensure none of the paint made it into the frame. Duracoat is slightly thick and I didn't want to run into any fitment issues putting everything back together.

3. This color is a great match to the Magpul FDE color. It's the closest I've seen yet, the pictures just don't pick it up really well. I actually had a gentleman at the range ask if I sent it to Magpul to have it refinished because it matched the Magpul parts on my AR so well.

I'll try to get more pics up soon, maybe some with low light to try to capture the color better.

 

[WilliamB]

Looks really sharp. I would have bought a 9c in FDE if S&W made it.

 

[PersonalSecurity]

1. I didn't want to paint the backstrap because I was trying to keep a little bit of black on the frame to break up the FDE. The backstrap shouldn't melt, but to be safe I would probably bake it at a lower temperature for a little longer.

2. I only removed the slide, mag release, and backstrap. I taped off the top of the frame to ensure none of the paint made it into the frame. Duracoat is slightly thick and I didn't want to run into any fitment issues putting everything back together.

3. This color is a great match to the Magpul FDE color. It's the closest I've seen yet, the pictures just don't pick it up really well. I actually had a gentleman at the range ask if I sent it to Magpul to have it refinished because it matched the Magpul parts on my AR so well.

I'll try to get more pics up soon, maybe some with low light to try to capture the color better.

Yea thats a really good looking project. You should try painting one of the backstraps and let me know how it handled in the oven .

I'm really interested in this, so some pictures in different lighting environments would be great! I know exactly what you mean about the color of FDE looking different in pictures, thats why I had to ask.

I've been very interested in this lately. I've considered adding it to my list of services (after trying and perfecting the procedure on my personal guns of course). I was thinking trying something like FN does on the SCAR - a "two tone" FDE. Maybe use a "Magpul FDE" on the frame and more of a coyote brown on the slide - or vise versa. Hell, you could probably then throw the gun in a field in Afghanistan and lose it!

I'm almost positive slides can be shipped without any regulation - its only the frame that has restrictions. Painting the slide would still offer a FDE/Black option to people while locals and those who want to pay the special shipping could have the full gun painted.

Any chance you live in Michigan? I know its a long shot, but I'd trade you a holster to paint up my gun and maybe talk about subcontracting any paint work to you. Again, its a long shot, but I have to ask...

Steve

 

[SPARC]

Yea thats a really good looking project. You should try painting one of the backstraps and let me know how it handled in the oven .

I'm really interested in this, so some pictures in different lighting environments would be great! I know exactly what you mean about the color of FDE looking different in pictures, thats why I had to ask.

I've been very interested in this lately. I've considered adding it to my list of services (after trying and perfecting the procedure on my personal guns of course). I was thinking trying something like FN does on the SCAR - a "two tone" FDE. Maybe use a "Magpul FDE" on the frame and more of a coyote brown on the slide - or vise versa. Hell, you could probably then throw the gun in a field in Afghanistan and lose it!

I'm almost positive slides can be shipped without any regulation - its only the frame that has restrictions. Painting the slide would still offer a FDE/Black option to people while locals and those who want to pay the special shipping could have the full gun painted.

Any chance you live in Michigan? I know its a long shot, but I'd trade you a holster to paint up my gun and maybe talk about subcontracting any paint work to you. Again, its a long shot, but I have to ask...

Steve

I live in SC, but feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions.

I'm still working on getting better pics. I had to leave town on business travel last week and wasn't able to get alot of things done that I was hoping to get accomplished.

 

[dino688]

That really does look good!! You did an excellent job on the rough surfaces from what I see. I'm sure that was a tough job.

 

[jd3772000]

Is all aware that the fullsize 9 & 40 come in fde now?

 

[SWMod10]

Is all aware that the fullsize 9 & 40 come in fde now?

And 45..I just got one.

 

[AirMech74]

Bringing this old thread back to life....Pistol looks good, I just got my first M&P today and already plan on Duracoating it.