P01 refinishing, looking for durability

[M1A4ME]

When I get the P01 slide machined for a red dot I'm thinking of getting the slide, barrel, barrel bushing, hammer, safeties and slide release nitrided to improve resistance to surface rusting.

But what about the aluminum frame.  Is there a finish/refinish for aluminum that is as tough as the nitrided surfaces?  I'd hate to get the top of it looking good only to have the black wear off the frame in a few months of carrying the pistol.

[JFen]

I am interested in this also, great question. I have a PCR that I have carried IWB in SW Fla for 3 yrs. I work managing a landscape maintenance company and I get sweat on the frame, specifically it is eroding the finish on the frame along the top of the grip panel. Daily I wipe the area with oil but I still have the flaking off of the finish.

I will eventually refinish the gun so I am awaiting the suggestions.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jurek]

I have no idea how tough my new coating is gonna be, but recently I rounded edges and made a bigger trigger guard undercut on P-01 Omega's aluminum frame. I didn't want to spend a lot of money, so decided to put "Cerakote H" on it. So far I'm very happy with it. Already tested it on tactical training classes with hundreds holster draws... no signs of wear.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

When I get the P01 slide machined for a red dot I'm thinking of getting the slide, barrel, barrel bushing, hammer, safeties and slide release nitrided to improve resistance to surface rusting.

But what about the aluminum frame.  Is there a finish/refinish for aluminum that is as tough as the nitrided surfaces?  I'd hate to get the top of it looking good only to have the black wear off the frame in a few months of carrying the pistol.

The aluminum frame can be hard chromed which is very tough or it can be hard anodized which is also very tough and can also be dyed to various colors other than black during the process if desired. Anything else like Polycote, Cerakote, Duracote and so on are just high end paint and will show wear much faster than hard chroming or hard anodizing.

[M1A4ME]

Thanks, hard chrome is more than acceptable to me as a finish.  I've always like that dull stainless look.

[sacrxMG]

NP3+ might be another option for you as well. From what I've seen, it's more of a dark silver/grey which would look great with a black slide.