My Pre-B refinishing and modification diary

[Earl Keese]

Yes, no need to do any work inside.

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[Underwhere]

Yes, no need to do any work inside.

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I really hope my 75 comes out like yours.
Else I'll have to revisit my cerakoting tools.

[Earl Keese]

I'm sure it'll look great. Which bluing solution are you using?

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[Underwhere]

I'm sure it'll look great. Which bluing solution are you using?

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Mark Lee Express blue

[Earl Keese]

I've used Laurel Mountain and Brownells. The Laurel Mtn is very forgiving.

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[Underwhere]

The temperatures really helped. The slide is much cleaner now.

Back into Evaporust it goes.

Now back to re-sanding the frame.
I didn't wet sand originally. I will tonight.

[Underwhere]

And here's the frame wetsanded.

[Earl Keese]

If you're using target sights, I'd suggest fitting them before the gun is blued. You may have to file down the top of the slide behind the rear dovetail for clearance. Some dovetails are cut a little deeper than others. There can be a surprising amount of variation from one slide/frame to another.

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[Earl Keese]

And here's the frame wetsanded.

Looking good.

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[Underwhere]

If you're using target sights, I'd suggest fitting them before the gun is blued. You may have to file down the top of the slide behind the rear dovetail for clearance. Some dovetails are cut a little deeper than others. There can be a surprising amount of variation from one slide/frame to another.

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Didn't think of that.

I'm using the CGW EZ/D sights which should clear the top of the slide.

I'll double check

[Earl Keese]

If you're using target sights, I'd suggest fitting them before the gun is blued. You may have to file down the top of the slide behind the rear dovetail for clearance. Some dovetails are cut a little deeper than others. There can be a surprising amount of variation from one slide/frame to another.

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Didn't think of that.

I'm using the CGW EZ/D sights which should clear the top of the slide.

I'll double check

That's what I have on my transitional. I had to file the top of the slide, pretty much until the rib was gone. Yours may fit fine, best to know before you make it pretty.

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[Earl Keese]

 If your using a 10X bushing, I'd pre-fit that and the front sight as well. Seems like a pain, but it might pay off later.
 At a minimum, the front sight will likely need to be stoned a little to fit. On mine, the pin wouldn't go in so I had to deepen the channel in the 10X bushing. Each one of these guns is a little different, so you can't count on some parts dropping in 100%.

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[Underwhere]

If your using a 10X bushing, I'd pre-fit that and the front sight as well. Seems like a pain, but it might pay off later.
 At a minimum, the front sight will likely need to be stoned a little to fit. On mine, the pin wouldn't go in so I had to deepen the channel in the 10X bushing. Each one of these guns is a little different, so you can't count on some parts dropping in 100%.

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Good to know.

I was going to blue the gun first, then put the 10x bushing in place because I figure I wanted the bluing protection around the frame as much as possible.

Maybe I'll rethink that.

Good to know the EZ/D may require some filing. I'll test fit tomorrow.

[Earl Keese]

You can install and remove the bushing, I checked with CGW and they said it won't hurt it. If the pin channel isn't deep enough, you'll have to remove the bushing anyway for filing. Drilling won't work, you'll end up elongating the pin holes. The bushing is very hard.

[Underwhere]

I guess I got lucky.
Rear sight cleared just fine.
Bushing went in and holes lined up perfectly.

So on I went with the slide tonight. Out of Evaporust and hit with steel wool.

Then wetsanded for 2+ hours with 320 and then 400.

Im still weary of a few areas.

The rib on the slide. I tried using a toothpick to clear the ribs. Gunk does come out. I wonder if that's rust. Do I need to worry about this?

This serrations aren't the cleanest. I couldn't figure out a great way to wetsanded them other than to use my fingernail and shove it in a serration with the emory cloth underneath. That felt great.

The transition between rib and frame. For some reason I can't get rid of that black line.

Thoughts?

Do I need to keep going with prep or am I good?