Painting Front Sight on a Fixed Sighted K Frame

kbm6893

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I've seen guys use both red and white paint. What type of paint? And how far down the right from the tip do you go? I can pick
Up the red front sight on my 67 than I can on my 64 or Model 10
Same with my j frame model 60 as a matter of fact. And how easy is it to get off if I either mess it up or want to go back to factory standard?
 
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Some folks talk about using the old typewriter white out fluid. Cleans right off. I am going to give that a shot next time out this late spring.
 
I've used fingernail polish many times, but really Enamel Model paint has been my favorite. The kind you find in the small fingernail polish size bottles. I usually use a coat or two of white before applying the orange. Kinda like a primer to keep the steel from bleeding through.
 
I'm probably more anal than others. I use two coats flat white spray primer (Kilz or Rustoleum), then two coats of Krylon fluorescent spray paint (either fluorescent orange or fluorescent green). I actually prefer the green - my eyes pick it up easier - but I've used both with excellent results. Obviously you have to do some careful taping before spraying the sight but it isn't difficult with blue painter's tape.
 
White fingernail polish , two coats , Poor mans night sight . One can build a sight alignment against a brighter back ground like the sky in low light conditions . Transition back to your threat or search and that sight alignment may be maintained . I have never tried the green .
 
While I prefer black sights, I have experimented with colors. My approach was to first degrease the sight with denatured alcohol. I apply a coat of flat white Testors paint and let it dry. Then I apply whatever color Testors paint I'm trying and let it dry. If I like what I have, I'll apply some clear hardening nail polish for extra wear protection. For the front sight, I only painted down as far as the sight is visible in the rear notch when aiming. I painted the remainder of the ramp black.

As far as removing the paint, it's not difficult at all if you have acetone (or nail polish remover, which has acetone in it). I've also used denatured alcohol to remove paint. Colored electrical tape is a good option if you want to experiment with colors without the hassle of painting and re-painting. Then when you find the color that works for you, paint the sight.
 
There is sight paint available, but any of the above options are fine. I have a fluorescent green vial that I bought a while ago. Works great.
 
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Traffic Cone Orange fingernail polish. Don't leave home without it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
 
I've seen guys use both red and white paint. What type of paint? And how far down the right from the tip do you go? I can pick
Up the red front sight on my 67 than I can on my 64 or Model 10
Same with my j frame model 60 as a matter of fact. And how easy is it to get off if I either mess it up or want to go back to factory standard?


Testers white as a primer/base coat....... w/ Florescent red is my favorite.

On my fixed sighted 681 I did the whole length of the sight ramp...... as I envision using it to get a flash sight picture........ on a adjustable sighted gun smaller area that fits the rear notch ........ remember the front ramp angles are different.......
 
I have one 642, that I used Testors on.

I've carried it for well over 15 years, as a pocket gun, with absolutely no wear on the orange paint.

It does live in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster, which probably accounts for the lack of wear.
 
flourescent paint

I've seen guys use both red and white paint. What type of paint? And how far down the right from the tip do you go? I can pick
Up the red front sight on my 67 than I can on my 64 or Model 10
Same with my j frame model 60 as a matter of fact. And how easy is it to get off if I either mess it up or want to go back to factory standard?

I have a spray can of it I use to paint my steel plate, spray a little on a piece of paper and use a small artists brush to paint the site. works good and comes right off . my problem with my model 27 was seeing the black bull's-eye and the black site together
 
I use Testors in whatever color I want and apply with a toothpick. Any thing that will remove paint or fingernail polish will remove it. It's not precision work that has a tolerance of +- .0001. Larry
 
I put a dab of testors red paint on my Model 58 back in 1966.
The gun rode in a holster for the next 13 years. The red paint is still there.
 
Fingernail polish is less expensive than Testors. Only issue was while in the beauty section of the Wal-Mart, this old gunfighter couldn't decide what color, lime green, traffic Cone orange, or red. Holding each bottle in a weaver stance to make a decision lead to some concern to passerbys. Management encouraged me to make a selection and move along....[emoji19]

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I use appliance touch up white paint found in any hardware store. It does a great job as a top or base coat for another color.
 
I've had good luck with automotive touch up paints in the little bottles with built in brushes. Make sure you clean the sights first. I mainly use denatured alcohol and a Q tip.
 
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