My Israeli Refurb Project a Pictorial.

[Omaney]

Truth be told, I hadn't put much thought into that. I'm not sure I want the rails coated but I'll know once I test the stuff out. Otherwise, earplugs work wonderfully for bores and such.

[donp326]

I am not a gun smith an I am hesitant to totally disassemble my pre B down to bare bones (just a normal field strip) and do not want to strip off the original finish but I would like to use the Duracote spray on it. I will degrease it with alcohol that about as far as I want go. Only doing the exterior of the slide and frame.

[dwcopple]

I am not a gun smith an I am hesitant to totally disassemble my pre B down to bare bones (just a normal field strip) and do not want to strip off the original finish but I would like to use the Duracote spray on it. I will degrease it with alcohol that about as far as I want go. Only doing the exterior of the slide and frame.

might as well rattle can it then. 

[Omaney]

I am not a gun smith an I am hesitant to totally disassemble my pre B down to bare bones (just a normal field strip) and do not want to strip off the original finish but I would like to use the Duracote spray on it. I will degrease it with alcohol that about as far as I want go. Only doing the exterior of the slide and frame.

This is precisely why I started this thread. I'm just a garage/shop/workbench tinkerer. It was my intention to demystify a machine. I'm one of those people that think if the instructions are good, I can do it. I'm pretty confident I can get this beauty back together...
Too, I will not be depending on this pistol for SD unless it performs like a CZ should; for at least 500 rounds with no hiccups.

[Shepard Man]

Have you considered getting the front and/or back strap stippled before refinishing it?

[SPO1SHADOW]

I am not a gun smith an I am hesitant to totally disassemble my pre B down to bare bones (just a normal field strip) and do not want to strip off the original finish but I would like to use the Duracote spray on it. I will degrease it with alcohol that about as far as I want go. Only doing the exterior of the slide and frame.

Not meaning to dampen your spirit to make your gun look better but if you don't strip it or at least sand it to smooth out any imperfections your gun will most likely look worse than when you started and with nothing to hold on to but the smooth original finish, will most likely flake off in spots where the old finish was not adhered well. Old Pre-B's had pretty much an enamel type finish unlike the newer Polycoat and is not stubbornly embedded to the metal. It comes off easy with most any paint stripper and with a little 400 grit sand paper and some degreasing prior to applying you will have a finish that will not only look new but will stay where you put it. Refinishing a pistol is just like painting a car, the prep work is much more important than the painter.
Even if you have one of the old blued guns it would still pay dividends to do some sanding before applying any kind of spray finish.
I would also add that alcohol is not hearty enough to completely remove some lubricants, you would want to use lacquer thinner or Acetone and soak the gun not just wipe it off. You don't want any type of lubricant bleeding out of a pin hole ruining your expensive finish.

[donp326]

Thanks,  I will make the attempt to strip the finish and sand. Then soak in acetone. The acetone should evaporate after some wiping down.

[SPO1SHADOW]

I think you will be much happier with that choice. There is nothing more gratifying than having a project turn out right. The Acetone will evaporate in 10 minutes all by its self. Be sure to wear some latex gloves so your finger prints won't pollute your oil free slide and frame when you are handling them.

[Jedman7]

Omaney,

Those new pics look great.  You've done a grand job getting it stripped down to the bare metal.  That looks so cool, it could easily be clear-coated and called good.  That would be very unique.

[SPO1SHADOW]

The next one I do I believe I will leave the phosphate finish that's under the Polycoat. It looks like dull stainless and it won't rust as long as it's not scratched through to the bare metal. Like you I kind of like the way it looks with just the phosphate metal and nothing else.

[Omaney]

Have you considered getting the front and/or back strap stippled before refinishing it?

I did...that's out of my skillset however. This piece will be 100% completed in my garage, no shop time.

[Shepard Man]

Have you considered getting the front and/or back strap stippled before refinishing it?

I did...that's out of my skillset however. This piece will be 100% completed in my garage, no shop time.

I understand and admire that.  Keep it up!

[SSGN_Doc]

When I built my Fusion 1911, I went with Norrels Moly Resin.  In reading the instructions for best adhesion he recommended, sand blasting, then Parkerizing and then coating with the Moly Resin. 

I degreased with Dawn dish soap and super hot water.  Rinsed in hot water and then parkerized.  Everything got oil bathed after coming out of the parkerizing solution to neutralize the oxidation process.  Then it was back into dish soap and hot water rinse and then placed in an oven to dry thoroughly before applying the coating with an airbrush.  Then back into the oven to bake. 

This finish has held up very well.

I think you should get good results with Duracoat as long as the prep is done right and the finish is fully cured. 

[SSGN_Doc]

Have you considered getting the front and/or back strap stippled before refinishing it?

I did...that's out of my skillset however. This piece will be 100% completed in my garage, no shop time.

Don't sell yourself short.  If you look up "1911 front strap stippling DIY" you might be surprised at how simple it can be.  It just requires a punch, a hamer, some patience and the guts to sit there and beat on the frame a bit.  Most folks go with checkering, but when done right, stippling can look and feel pretty nice.

[Rhino]

Have you considered getting the front and/or back strap stippled before refinishing it?

I did...that's out of my skillset however. This piece will be 100% completed in my garage, no shop time.

Get 3 or 4 center punches of different sizes, a 12 or 16 ounce hammer and some tape then do it yourself. I have done quite a few like that. If you need more info let me know.