Avedis Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 (edited) Hey guys, tonight I installed the new Limcat V2 magwell which requires grinding off the three little "tabs" on the PT EVO grip, just above where the magwell sits. Now, there is a bit of stainless showing above the magwell. Even though it's a race gun, my OCD wont allow it, so i'm looking for a quick way to touchup the metal to blacken it. It doesn't have to be a perfect match to the black PVD coating thats on there, I just want to get rid of the stainless color. The standard cold blues I use from Amazon/Brownells aren't bluing the 17-4 stainless of the PT EVO grip. I know that cold blue generally doesn't work on high quality stainless, but are there any tips or products specifically for stainless that I can use to touch this up? Seems wasteful to refinish the whole grip. Edited September 30, 2018 by Avedis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewbeck Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 Sharpie and/or shoe polish cold blues don’t work on stainless because stainless doesn’t oxidize (rust) like steel does. There are some similar products like cold blue for stainless but they are hit and miss whether they’ll work depending on the actual stainless. Sharpie will save the most agony for the least amount of money until you want to waste the money of refinishing the whole thing again. This is just my opinion for a comp gun that’s gonna be run hard and will show more signs of wear. It’s like the first scratch on a new car, it won’t be the last but there definitely no reason to have it totally repainted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanttolearn Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 never tried it myself but heard about this product that reportedly works on stainless steel. https://www.eastwood.com/metal-blackening-system.html?SRCCODE=PLA00020&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIme3A5vnh3QIVjrrACh2uOgFaEAYYBCABEgK_w_D_BwE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewbeck Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 This is also the place to go to learn about almost all available metal platings and coatings, processes, etchttps://www.caswellplating.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=0&q=Stainless+blackSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gng4life Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 1 hour ago, drewbeck said: This is also the place to go to learn about almost all available metal platings and coatings, processes, etchttps://www.caswellplating.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=0&q=Stainless+black Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk +1 Great place with great products. I have made many orders here. Great tutorials also. Let us know how it turns out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avedis Posted October 1, 2018 Author Share Posted October 1, 2018 Thanks for the recommendations. I picked up this stainless blackener from Caswell per their customer service rep's recommendation. https://www.caswellplating.com/stainless-steel-blackener-gel-kit.html I will let you know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewbeck Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Please do, I’ve been curious as well how it works but always end up just going the easy route with cerakote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa-XD45 Posted October 2, 2018 Share Posted October 2, 2018 18 hours ago, Avedis said: Thanks for the recommendations. I picked up this stainless blackener from Caswell per their customer service rep's recommendation. https://www.caswellplating.com/stainless-steel-blackener-gel-kit.html I will let you know how it goes. Before & after pics would be great. I've used Birchwood Casey Perma Blue & Alumminum Black with mixed results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avedis Posted October 13, 2018 Author Share Posted October 13, 2018 Applied the Caswell stainless blackener gel, worked great. It turned out slightly darker than the PVD Coating that was on the grip, but i'm okay with it. Pictures below, let me know if you have any questions. Stainless (grip was scrubbed and degreased) Applying gel Gel washed off, it leaves an almost charcoal like powder residue on top which needs to be scrubbed off and degreased prior to second/third application of gel Two applications of gel later, grip was rewashed/degreased, then re-oiled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanttolearn Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 Wow, came out great Glad it worked out so nicely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelpend Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Looks great. I have been using cold blue for years and had no idea there was a product that would darken stainless. I will be getting some of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gng4life Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Thanks for sharing, looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drtheo Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 Looks really good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARac40 Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 I’ve Ben trying to figure out a way to finish my Evo without sending it off. I’m gonna do the whole grip with this and see how it turns out. Thanks for posting this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forty5cal1911 Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 @ARac40 did you ever try this on your PT grip? I feel like it would be pretty difficult to get it applied evenly in a timely manner and that removal would be a real PIA even rinsing. I just used this kit for my LSI beavertail and it turned out great. Took me two different prep and applications though. First attempt was terribly splotchy. You can see my results here: https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/278243-2011-steel-grips/?do=findComment&comment=3167320 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARac40 Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 I did the whole grip. It turned out alright. It was hard to work within the time constraints to get it even. But, it’s better than nothing and Its now black not bright stainless from the factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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