1911-A1 Repro Grips

D

Dino.

Moderator
Is it possible to somehow "age" 1911-A1 plastic grips?
Not looking to sand, scratch, or bang em up to make them look "relic".

I'd just like to know if there's something I can do to knock some of the "gloss" off to give the finish a more "matte" appearance. I'm thinking some sort of chemical to get into the checkering as opposed to sanding.

Thanks :)
 
Hardware stores or auto paint stores sell a spray to"deshine" paint. Its like a spray acetone that you spray on and then quickly air dry. It slightly dulls the finish.
 
Thanks saemetric.

I am aware of matte clears, but I'm not trying to add a finish.
I just want to change the appearance of the finish that's there.
Acetone just may do the trick! :)
 
I once got some carb cleaner on the plastic scales of a Swiss Army knife, and it dulled the shine pretty well.

Good luck!
Tom Lynch
 
I'm thinking that if you put masking tape on the backs, and tumble them in a tumbler filled with walnut shell, you'd be happier with the result than you'd get by a chemical
 
A paste of baking soda and water applied with a tooth brush might make a more controled dulling of the plastic. Easier water clean-up and no chemical interaction.
 
I'm thinking that if you put masking tape on the backs, and tumble them in a tumbler filled with walnut shell, you'd be happier with the result than you'd get by a chemical
Click to expand...

Best suggestion yet and there is always the option of changing the grips out.
 
Just my 2 cents, But some white(very fine) scotch bright or red scotchbright might be safer than chemicals and can be undone if you don't like it.
 
Then go on eBay and get cheap set of used WWII plastic grips. They will be already pre-aged for you.
 
Bought a cheap pair of plastic grips on eBay that I didn't particularly care for.
I've since found a nice pair of WWII bakelite grips on GunBroker, aged but very little wear. Perfect. :)

Thanks guys.
 
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