What is the coating on an Airweight Model 637?

[trooplewis]

I had a LaserLyte on my J-Frame Airweight and removed it yesterday because I just couldn't find a reason to keep it on the gun, in spite of the cool factor.

In the sideplate underneath the laser the coating has roughened up and come away in a few places, most of it beneath the grips, but some of it visible. In a couple spots "shinier" aluminum is visible where the coating has come off altogether.

What kind of coating is it? I assume it is there to keep the aluminum from tarnishing, but I'm curious what it is.

 

[ronnie gore]

coating

it is an epoxy clear coating like alumihyde2 from brownell's it won't stay on.
I have a 342 and 337 and all the coating has come off the 337, I just keep it waxed with car wax no problems with corrosion in 5 years.
if you want it back like it was send it back to s&w or buy some alumihyde from brownell's, but complete disassembly is required and a week for the coating to cure properly.

 

[HarrishMasher]

I had a LaserLyte on my J-Frame Airweight and removed it yesterday because I just couldn't find a reason to keep it on the gun, in spite of the cool factor.

In the sideplate underneath the laser the coating has roughened up and come away in a few places, most of it beneath the grips, but some of it visible. In a couple spots "shinier" aluminum is visible where the coating has come off altogether.

What kind of coating is it? I assume it is there to keep the aluminum from tarnishing, but I'm curious what it is.

It is just a clear coat they put on top of the aluminum. It is notorious for peeling off. There are many threads about it on here. Many people choose the 442 over the 642/637 because the black finish is much more durable than the aluminum with the clear coat.

This has been a problem for many years and S&W is aware of it, but they choose not to address it it seems.

 

[trooplewis]

Thanks guys.

 

[regalsc]

it is an epoxy clear coating like alumihyde2 from brownell's it won't stay on.
I have a 342 and 337 and all the coating has come off the 337, I just keep it waxed with car wax no problems with corrosion in 5 years.
if you want it back like it was send it back to s&w or buy some alumihyde from brownell's, but complete disassembly is required and a week for the coating to cure properly.

I have a 337ti also & my coating is 100% in tact. I have never used Hoppes to clean it because I read that the use of it can harm the "clear coat". Did you use Hoppes or did the coating on yours wear off?

 

[ronnie gore]

clear coat on 337

no, the gun was used when I got it and the finish was already gone, but on my 342 I have always used hoppe's and been carefull about getting any on the finish, and never had any problem with the finish on it.