Removing Frame Finish

[Alphonso]

My R9s frame's finish is getting pretty worn from daily carry.  I've been thinking about removing the black finish.

Has anybody done this?  Does anybody have advice and/or pictures?  

Thanks...

[yankee2500]

What do you plan on putting on after you remove the factory finish?

John

[Richard S]

If it were mine and needed refinishing, I'd just send it to  AP&W, Robar, or Ford's for the finish of my choice.

http://www.apwcogan.com/

http://www.robarguns.com/

http://www.fordsguns.com/

[Alphonso]

What do you plan on putting on after you remove the factory finish?

John

I was thinking about just leaving the frame unfinished after running it through my bead blaster...

[tracker]

I don't know for certain but that doesn't sound like a good idea to me. The finish is there not only for appearance but for surface protection also.

[Alphonso]

I don't know for certain but that doesn't sound like a good idea to me. The finish is there not only for appearance but for surface protection also.

I was wondering about the same thing.  It is, after all, just aluminum and may not really need any protection...

[ccoorreeyy]

Bead blasted aluminum coated with a good oil should be fine.  I'd would rub it down once a week or so.  If you do blast it please post some pictures of how it turns out.  I've thought of it before and think it would look very nice.

[tracker]

It may be all right but if that thin layer of aluminum hydroxide is compromised corrosion can develop. I saw that happen in a humid, salt water environment on an aircraft carrier where white powder is visible on aluminum; best to keep an eye on it.

[Alphonso]

Bead blasted aluminum coated with a good oil should be fine.  I'd would rub it down once a week or so.  If you do blast it please post some pictures of how it turns out.  I've thought of it before and think it would look very nice.

Summers are hot here and I generally wipe it down with a silicone cloth at the end of every hot day.  

If I work up the nerve to take the bead blaster to my zillion dollar pistol I certainly will post some pictures.   If it doesn't come out good, I can always get it coated professionally...

[yankee2500]

I sandblasted the receiver and trigger group on my Ruger 10/22 so it would match the stainless barrel I put on, but thats a $200 gun.  
 It came out looking good and I also blasted the SS barrel so it has the same finish.

John

[kjtrains]

Alphonso.  Sounds like a plan.  Interesting.  After the bead blasting, spray it with Ballistol once a week and you should be good to go.  

[Craigt]

Bare aluminum will corrode quite quickly, forming that white powder mentioned previously.  That powder, aluminum oxide, is very hard and abrasive.  If even small amounts of that gets on the moving parts it could cause accelerated wear.

Another concern is surface corrosion can greatly lower the fatigue strength of the metal.  My guess is that this light, small frame is operating at relatively high stress levels so this could be a concern.

I believe that you will find a bead blast finish on aluminum will show scratches and wear rather quickly as compared to bead blasted stainless steel.

Having said that, I love bead blast finishes.

Just my $.02.

[Alphonso]

After reading all these helpful answers and pondering a bit I've decided that the scrapes and scars on my R9s give it "character" and that I will just leave it alone.  

I've refinished several guns in the past with varying degrees of success and don't think I should subject this fine pistol to my shade tree finishing skills..

[tracker]

A wise decision, I think.

[kjtrains]

Alphonso.  You have certainly thought this through, and have saved yourself some unnecessary work.  Enjoy it's "character."