Need help with crap finish

Y

Yankee Doodle

New member
Hello to all.
I am certain that this is not the first time this has been asked, but I am at a loss. My 642 has the usual problem of the anodizing wearing off the revolver, and looking like s***. I realize that looks really don't count, but I would like to get it to look better than it does.
I can send it back to Smith, and they will re-do the finish, but I will get the same crap all over again.
Does anyone know of someone who can refinish the piece, and have the finish really hold up to every day IWB carry, and 50 rounds a week? I really don't care if the original color is matched, as long as the whole thing looks good after the job is done.
Thank you all for any help you can provide.
Y.D.
 


Anodizing - that means aluminum...

You may want to try an epoxy-based finish like Gun-Kote or Duracoat.



-tINY

 
I do powder coatings that are electric applied and then baked at 350 for two hours. I charge 45.00 for recievers plus 10.00 return postage
 
Update

This is e-amil I sent to S&W about problem with finish:
Hi
The finish on the aluminum frame of my 642 has not held up to every day carry. It is badly worn, and the firearm looks terrible.
What would I have to do to get the piece refinished? How much would it cost, and how long would it take?
In order for me not to have to accept the risk of shipping it, would I be able to dis-assemble the gun and bring it to your facility in person?
Thank you


This is the response I got from Mel Ogonowski at S&W:

hi
sorry we can't refinish the gun do to the alum.frame.
thanks
mo


This is the reply I sent to him:

Mel,
Am I to understand that the finish you put on the gun didn't hold up, and you are washing your hands of the whole thing? What happened to the S & W service I remember using before I retired as a Police Officer.
I understand that there is new ownership, but not standing behind a product is not the S & W that I remember. Please reconsider your position on this, otherwise I will be forced to let everyone I know,and am in contact with on the internet what your new customer service policy is. "You bought it, you got it, good luck"
I think you should be ashamed.

Just thought you would like to know.

Y.D.
 
yep

I got one in today to Duracoat. I have seen quite a few not hold up to the holster. Looks like maybe the end of good service work from S&W.
 
One word of warning

I found out why they most likely don't want to do any refinishing on the revolver. I used walnut shells in my blast cabinet to clean the gun up and get it ready for the Duracoat, the lettering and the symbol on the side plate isn't very deep to begin with and it wouldn't take too much for it to not be seen at all if you had to add much to the surface. I would suspect that a powder coat might just cover it completely and the duracoat might fill it more than I want it too as well. I'll try to post a pic of it later on today to show you what I am talking about.
 
Newest e-mail from S&W

Hello again.
It appears that S&W has come to their senses. This is the e-mail I received about 10 minutes ago:

hi
if you need the gun refinished please give me your address and we will sent out a shipping label.
thanks
mo

It now depends on what they plan to charge me as to what I am going to do.

cntryboy 1289, check your e-mail

Y.D.
 
Most interesting. Refinishing of the aluminum frame by S&W to original may still be problematic, as Countryboy said. The factory, however, can legally destroy the frame and re-issue the serial number on a new one. Charter Arms did that on a Bulldog I had in the 80's that they determined did not shoot because the frame was bent (by them originally). It may be that the strong complaint got S&W to decide to eat that cost?

Yankee Doodle: If you return the gun, please take the grip panels off and use a scratch awl to mark some inconspiculous point on the inside of the frame. See if that mark is still there when it comes back or not? I'd be curioius to know what they actually do?

Nick
 
I got it

Well, S&W lived up to their word. I got a shipping label in the mail today, and they are picking up the cost of shipping both ways.
I just realized that I may have another problem. It appears that somewhere along the line someone (right) deactivated the built in safety. (Crazy Glue) Additionally, the trigger has been tuned to a really respectable trigger pull. Now, I can assume that Smith is going to put the piece back to factory specs before they return it to me.
To make a long story short, should I leave it as it is, or Dura-coat the frame myself. Frame only. I have a buddy who has done his, and has offered to help me do mine.
What do you guys think? Return it to Smith, or not?
Y.D.
 


If the trigger is safe, they probably won't touch it. If they replace the frame or have trouble after reassembly - all bets are off.

But, I imagine they will return it with a good trigger. After all, this won't be a factory gun from the assy floor....



-tINY

 
If S&W reanodizes your frame, the wear will just start over. The edges and high spots will wear first. This is simply the nature of anodized aluminum. A better method is to have the gun electroless nickel plated. You can not hard chrome (Metalife, etc.) aluminum. There are 3 choices-
1. remove the anodizing to bright aluminum
2. anodize and deal with the wear
3. electroless nickel
The nickel should hold up for years.
Bill
 
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