Front sight paint.

[WR Moore]

I've got a semi that's been collecting dust for awhile because I just couldn't see the front sight anymore. Sights part of the slide and has a fairly steep angle on the rear face coupled with being sort of matte gray.

Attempts to use paint to brighten things up were generally unsuccessful in the past. Then I remembered Testor's made a metallic gold paint, put it on my 'to do' list. Was cleaning out my box of gun cleaning stuff and actually found a bottle I'd bought decades ago. I'll have to see how it stands up to use, but boy is that sight VISIBLE now.

 

[filipows]

Sight paint I have been using for years

Don't laugh but I use Martha Stewart hobby paint. I have orange and green.

I tried what were special sight paint. None worked or lasted.


I clean oil, grease with alcohol and use tooth pick or something similar to apply the paint.


Try it you'll like it.

 

[kraynky]

I also use Testors paint.
TIP:
Most colors show brighter if you first apply a layer of white on the sight first, and allow to dry of course.

 

[Baxter6551]

Degrease the front sight first. The hobby headset magnifiers are your friend here. I use white nail polish as a base and apply fluorescent red over the top. DO NOT use the brush from nail polish or paint bottle it will make a big mess. Use a toothpick and it will take a little practice to get just the right amount on the end. In my experience a drop hanging off the end of the toothpick is too much. With practice you can get just the right amount to flow on. It the gun is holstered it will wear off so a little clear over the top will make it last longer. But easy enough to re-do when it does.

 

[rockquarry]

I tried this years ago and could find no advantage over the unpainted factory sight, in fact, the unadorned factory sight worked better for me. However, those with vision problems may realize a benefit with a painted sight.

 

[zeke]

Degrease the front sight first. The hobby headset magnifiers are your friend here. I use white nail polish as a base and apply fluorescent red over the top. DO NOT use the brush from nail polish or paint bottle it will make a big mess. Use a toothpick and it will take a little practice to get just the right amount on the end. In my experience a drop hanging off the end of the toothpick is too much. With practice you can get just the right amount to flow on. It the gun is holstered it will wear off so a little clear over the top will make it last longer. But easy enough to re-do when it does.

Ex advice! And Hobby lobby sells miniature paint swabs that can work better than tooth picks. Bought some fluorescent green nail polish that really stands out. Colored front sights are much easier for me to see in dim light, especially if the rear sight notch is deepened and widened slightly. At the indoor range where the lighting is poor, can't see the black front sights at targets past 15 yds.

 

[mikerjf]

I stick a piece of scotch tape on each side side of the sight (after cleaning) and contain the paint that way. Makes the sides square and no mess.

 

[haywood]

I use glow in the dark paint and nail polish. This paint works just as good as Glow-On. It is way cheaper and lasts as long. Ten seconds under a good flash light gives 20-30 minutes glow. The longer and brighter the longer it lasts. At night I put the gun on my night stand with the sight against a nightlight. If I have to pick up the gun at least the white part of the front sight is glowing.

 

[Fide686]

Also use nail polish. Bright white as a base, then fluorescent green/ chartreuse on top. Highway crews have switched over to that color as most people see it better than hunter orange.

 

[VictorLouis]

Baxter, your job is great! Can you advise if that green masking tape is something 'hobby' specific, or special. in and of itself??
Thanks.

 

[Drm50]

I use Do-It brand vinyl paint. Degrease for best results use White first, then they have wide variety of Flo colors, standard colors and glow in dark.
It’s intended for painting metal fishing lures. Cabelas has it. Thins with acetone. Very durable finish.

 

[chief38]

I use Testor's #1127 Gloss which is a blaze orange/red. If applied to a cleaned front sight in 3 light coats after waiting 24 jours for each to dry, it will last years and stand up to solvents and oils too. Works GREAT!

 

[WardenRoss]

Baxter, your job is great! Can you advise if that green masking tape is something 'hobby' specific, or special. in and of itself??
Thanks.

Probably this....

My first good-deed of 2024.




,

 

[Baxter6551]

Victor - WardenRoss got it. And I don’t use the tape anymore after I got practiced and experienced with the tooth pick it’s not necessary. The model 10 shown was free hand.

 

[Shibadog]

Ex advice! And Hobby lobby sells miniature paint swabs that can work better than tooth picks. Bought some fluorescent green nail polish that really stands out. Colored front sights are much easier for me to see in dim light, especially if the rear sight notch is deepened and widened slightly. At the indoor range where the lighting is poor, can't see the black front sights at targets past 15 yds.

+1 on those swabs. I use a fluorescent orange that works great.

 

[Borderboss]

I've been using Testor's fluorescent green for years. Quite a while ago there was a study that said "most humans" can see green better than other colors. I know that this is true for me, which is why I settled on the bright green. It's on all my front sights.

 

[Simson-Suhl]

I also use the tiny paint swabs purchased from Hobby Lobby!

 

[Onomea]

I like Testor yellow. (I'm red, green, brown colorblind.)



I use acetone to take it off, or to remove spill over, if any, on the side of the sight blade. Unless it's a gun I use regularly, I take it off after use.

I also found on Amazon a product called "Disposable Micro Applicator Micro Brush for Makeup, Eyelash Extension, Lash and Mascara Application for Personal Care" to be very good for application. $5 for 100.

That's Teslor black paint on the rear sight, by the way.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I've got quite a collection of nail polish (don't ask!) that I use for painting front sights, if needed. I used a bright blue on my 81 Beretta to match the grips I put on it.
Okay, I had 3 girls & a wife and a female dog living here...I've had almost every color nail polish known to woman-kind.

 

[robvious]

I used to "borrow" my sisters nail polish for my bb guns, so they looked like my dad's S&W's... had the coolest Crosman 38T on the block... and still have it.. lol
the much better half is now my source.. and the variety is mystifying...