Sarge Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 You don't have to do any prep. APW is first rate! They will do any work needed. Of course it goes without saying you will want to clean the parts thoroughly or they will charge you for that as well. If you have imperfections like dings or scratches you want fixed they can do that for a price as well. Heck APW even builds guns so they know quite a bit about fit and finish. The difference in glossiness of the chrome depends on how much prep work they do which is why the more it shines the more it costs. Best thing to do is email or call them directly and tell them what you have and what you want then let them explain how to get there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlphaShot Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Dan Bedell did some work for me on an open gun and strongly discouraged me from getting the gun hard chromed. I highly respect his opinion. I opted for the Robar NP3 + self lubricating finish. you might want to check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmella Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Dan Bedell did some work for me on an open gun and strongly discouraged me from getting the gun hard chromed. I highly respect his opinion. I opted for the Robar NP3 + self lubricating finish. you might want to check it out did he give you reasons why not to chrome?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Dan Bedell likes black guns! seriously though that would be the only voice I have ever heard say"don't chrome a gun". Some parts should not be chromed because they can become brittle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1911Prof Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 +1 APW. They did flawless work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGS Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Another vote for APW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianATL Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 This slide just back from APW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmella Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Wow that looks nice. Now I might sound chrome-stupid here, but is that still hard chromed just a more flat chrome vs a high-glossy finish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 (edited) Wow that looks nice. Now I might sound chrome-stupid here, but is that still hard chromed just a more flat chrome vs a high-glossy finish? That pic is matte finish. Next step is brushed finish is what most competition guns I see have. Then there is mirror or polished. Super glossy but shows all fingerprints, smudges etc. Edited January 4, 2015 by Sarge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmella Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 I honestly like that finish over the glossy. Reading this post, would it be safe to assume that the more glossy/more prep work the more expensive? So this would be the cheaper option per say? Regardless I want to finish my open gun like this asap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 I honestly like that finish over the glossy. Reading this post, would it be safe to assume that the more glossy/more prep work the more expensive? So this would be the cheaper option per say? Regardless I want to finish my open gun like this asap. The APW website is full of info. But matte and brushed cost the same. $200 for entire gun. I think mirror adds $50 to cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redstag Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Just received back a couple guns from Metaloy and I am very disappointed. The chrome itself is perfect with no blotches or flaking, however they were given specific instructions NOT to bead blast, and that all finishing was complete and I wanted AS IS. (sent and email and even put a note in the box) Both guns had and panels, inlays and were surface ground on the sides and top. This is very frustrating after all the time building these guns and metal finishing, well see how they respond. Pics attached, in photo after3 is what the sides are suppose to look like and you can see how dull the transitions are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redstag Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 After 3 attached Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerBaron Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 I think you'll find the gun on the right is highly polished hard chrome on the flats. You can still get that finish with your slides if you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redstag Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 They both were polished exactly the same as the one on the right, they decided to bead blast after being told not to. That was the issue, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troupe Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 BrianATL, that is a great looking pistol, and I really do like that grip. Tommy Roupe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Man Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I will never hard chrome another Open Division pistol. To hard to make changes after the chroming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmella Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 to all the chromers, can you chrome aluminum such as an aluminum magwell or would the magwell have to be a different metal such as stainless? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Can't chrome aluminum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmella Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Can't chrome aluminum Didnt think so. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougCarden Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 You CAN electro nickel it though...... DougC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 You CAN electro nickel it though...... DougC Or polish the beejesus out of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwoods Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Wha t would be the best finish for my STI tactical witH Aluminum frame if I can't Hard CHrome the frame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmella Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 You CAN electro nickel it though...... DougC Or polish the beejesus out of it! Didn't think of doing that.... I even polished my slide racker because I dinged up the "finish" which is aluminum and still didn't think of that... Thanks Sarge I'm going for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redstag Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Just wanted to give a update on my post about the Metaloy issue I had. We stripped the chrome, refinished the slides and Metaloy is paying for the shipping and re-chrome. Chris at Metaloy was very easy to work with and if your not happy with the results they do stand behind there work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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