Questions about Gun plating.

[grambo]

Hi, I am brand new to this whole thing so I have a few questions to ask about plating a Colt .45 1911 handgun.

First off, an opinion question, What would you plate a colt .45 if you could? I was thinking that the Black Krome would look especially sweet. I've also looked at Nickel plating it as well. Any other suggestions?

Am I supposed to plate the barrel and if so, do I plate the inside? What kind of prep work must be done to the piece. Just basic buffing and polishing? The gun is already in very good condition and is blued but the bluing is wearing off so I would like to have it plated.

It says on the Caswell website that the Black Krome kit can be applied on steel. Does this mean that I do not have to plate it copper, then nickel, then chrome? Would the electroless Nickel plating kit give me good results as well? Is there anything else in particular that I should buy from Caswell to do all of this? When you buy the kit do all instructions come with it?

Thanks a lot everybody.
Grambo

[jimcarry]

I think the finish has to be your choice . Having said that I think the nickle would look great .
To prep this piece you can simply polish it to remove the bluing. Once you get a nice finish you will need to de grease the pieces you are going to plate. I wouldn’t worry too much about the inside. As far as what do you need to do this job well what do you have to start?
Im sure Craig at Caswells can help you to figure out what ells you will need

[grambo]

I have next to nothing to do this, just the gun.

[sswee]

grambo,
You do understand that if the weapon has any value to it, that doing this will depreciate it.
SS

[grambo]

Yes, I realize this. My .45 has already been modified and tuned with several upgrades so the original collectors value has taken a nose dive. I just want to spruce it up a bit more.

[jimcarry]

I can let you know what I started with
1 a polishing motor preferably a 3/4 hp 3450 rpm
a sisal wheel
spiral sewn wheels at least two
One canton wheel. ( This wheel works great for final polishing with blue compound)
Black compound.
Brown compound.
White compound.
Blue Compound.
These compounds are used in steps and you can read more about this here.
http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm
Then your plating kit with a rectifier. On the above site you can also look at the pick a kit helper.
Also the Caswells sales team can help you to determine what other products you might need.
Good Luck

[grambo]

Thanks a lot for you help.

[shadowfan]

Naval Jelly will remove any blueing quite easily and will not harm anything.

[shadowfan]

BTW as a gun collector myself, I would also caution against "improving" an otherwise valuable gun, no matter how scruffy it might look. This said, I would go for black chrome.