Painting 659 sights?
- Thread starter MattB
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The best way is to buy replacement 3 dot sights
If you are painting them on, I would mask the sight but have two little holes in the tape where you want the paint
You can play with tape and placement until you are happy, then paint the dots
If you are painting them on, I would mask the sight but have two little holes in the tape where you want the paint
You can play with tape and placement until you are happy, then paint the dots
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Painting the front sight with Testor's model paint is all I'd do in your case. I'd just leave the rear sight stock. Getting the rear dots perfect is more trouble than it's worth any the painted front sight will be visible enough. I normally use a Testor's orange/red color in a gloss finish.
Clean with IPA just prior to painting and use 2-3 thin coats rather than a single thick one. Let dry 24 hours between coats and apply paint with a wooden toothpick rather than a brush. When completely dry, trim any extra unwanted paint with a new razor blade.
Clean with IPA just prior to painting and use 2-3 thin coats rather than a single thick one. Let dry 24 hours between coats and apply paint with a wooden toothpick rather than a brush. When completely dry, trim any extra unwanted paint with a new razor blade.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Birchwood Casey Bright Pen Kit is also a good option. They are specifically made for this application. The have a kit with 3 colors, white/red/green. They also have a black touch up pen that is sold as a single.
Rear sight dots are over rated and I have used them on various pistols for about 3 decades. Your focus is the front sight, a black rear sight makes it easier for me to focus on the front sight. The 659's front sight is milled as part of the slide, so no easy way of changing the sight, but you can paint the sight. A base coat of white hobby enamel (Testors) followed by a couple of coats of fluorescent hobby enamel (I like the fluorescent green) might work well for you.
Alternatively, if you don't mind a sight picture that looks more like a bullseye target pistol, paint the front sight in matte black hobby enamel. If you want to go cheap or just experiment with a black front sight, use a permanent ink black magic marker/Sharpie pen. The ink is easily removed with just about any solvent.
Alternatively, if you don't mind a sight picture that looks more like a bullseye target pistol, paint the front sight in matte black hobby enamel. If you want to go cheap or just experiment with a black front sight, use a permanent ink black magic marker/Sharpie pen. The ink is easily removed with just about any solvent.
Last edited:
gwpercle
Member
Try something cheap and easy to get ... Bic White-Out Correction Pen .
The Pen has a roller ball tip , squeeze gently on the Pen and press the ball onto surface ... to make a white dot ...press down and lift straight up .
To cover a surface ...press ball down and move pen tip around ...the flat white lacquer will flow out as you squeeze the bulb .
If you buy a two pack ... practice with one , making dots and covering areas untill you get the hang of it ... covering flats is easy , making different sized , perfectly round dots requires just a little practice .
A new pen that is full of correction fluid works best ...old mostly dried up pens are frustrating to use .
I can make dots with this method better and easier than any other ... a tiny brush just sucks rocks ... I've been using it on front sights for decades ...clean the sight and the Lacquer stays for a long time , keep a pen around for a fast touch up . Dots are not as hard as you would think and you can vary the dot size ... with practice
Gary
The Pen has a roller ball tip , squeeze gently on the Pen and press the ball onto surface ... to make a white dot ...press down and lift straight up .
To cover a surface ...press ball down and move pen tip around ...the flat white lacquer will flow out as you squeeze the bulb .
If you buy a two pack ... practice with one , making dots and covering areas untill you get the hang of it ... covering flats is easy , making different sized , perfectly round dots requires just a little practice .
A new pen that is full of correction fluid works best ...old mostly dried up pens are frustrating to use .
I can make dots with this method better and easier than any other ... a tiny brush just sucks rocks ... I've been using it on front sights for decades ...clean the sight and the Lacquer stays for a long time , keep a pen around for a fast touch up . Dots are not as hard as you would think and you can vary the dot size ... with practice
Gary
