Re-finishing Plastic Handguards

[Lance]

I started with a Century FrankenFal that had a metric upper and an inch lower. I've replaced the complete lower assembly with a metric version and I find I like the smooth finish of the stock preferable to the British pebble grain. The problem is that the handguards were pebble grain and no longer match the stock. So, in WECSOG fashion, I decided to sand the pebble grain of the handguards to get a smooth finish. After a few hours of sanding, it was nice and smooth. I bead blasted the handguards and the texture is just about right. The problem is that the handguards are no longer black. They have a powdery look to them like its covered with a fine talcum powder. I mean, they're black but not BLACK. I tried a liberal coating of G96 and it looks great until I wipe it off. :(

Any ideas?

Lance

[pauld]

If I recall correctly I just got out the flat black spray paint and gave them a few light coats. The grey like dust is from sanding them, you get it sanding wet or dry. The black covers it well, mine are flat black, I like the look.

Paul

[Lance]

I was hoping to avoid paint. I'm a little concerned about the durability on a handguard. But if that's what it takes, I guess I'll have to. I was thinking about trying armorall... Any more ideas? :confused:

Lance

[FAL TAP]

It was on a thread from before about using Stock Kote from KG. I had Gerald at Penguin Small Arms make me up a whole bunch of Stocks of different depths of black.

If you use Stock Kote you can acheive a semi-gloss or matte finish by spraying further away. You might want to do a search or call Gerald cause he is a great guy to deal with and a fair person who will direct you to what you want and need know or do.

[pauld]

The only other thing I haven't tried a tack cloth. Have you thought of Truck bed liner?
I can't say about the durability of the paint, I am waiting to build my park tank. So they have just been sitting in a box until the parking gets done.

Paul

[Tony.]

I actually spoke to DSA about this. The recomend using Armorall. Per their instructions, soak the handguards in armorall overnight, the next morning take out and wipe down.

[Lance]

Since the last post I have tried various things: Heat gun, polishing compound, more bead blasting, armorall, etc. It's really not much (if any) better.

It looks as if there is a fine "hair" all over the handguards. If you hold it at angle and look down it's surface, you can see this. If you rub your finger up or down the surface, you can change the texture slightly like you were brushing suede.

Looks like paint may be my only option. :(

Lance

[ August 26, 2001: Message edited by: Lance ]

[Ekie]

I really prefer just to replace plastic that is that worn, but if you do decide to go cheap I like Brownell's baking lacquer. I still have a bunch around because I used to finish rifles with it but have found a much better product (Norrell's). The lacquer is a natural for furniture because it goes on real thick, you know, paint covers a multitude of sins, and I mean you can really coat this stuff on thick. To apply you wash the sucker in the sink then dry, spray, bake at 200 degrees for at least an hour. You will be hard pressed to find a more scratch resistant, chemical resistant, and gouge hiding paint or otherwise then this stuff.

[FAL-13]

I have had good results with Brownells Alumahide II on plastic stocks and handguards. Needs about a week to dry and its about $9.00 a can. Keep spraying distance about 12 inches for a flat finnish.

[FALfanatic]

I have had good luck refinishing plastic furniture with the Matte Black Aluma-hyde II as well. I sprayed too close though and the finish was glossy and slightly textured.

I let them cure a week (very important) then buffed them with 0000 steel wool - it turned into a nice smooth matte finish.

[mollymae]

I found a place that does plastic refinish. I have seen samples of fal stock sets and even though they were custom camo colors i bet they do any shade of black. heat cured and will not peel off. I am very impressed with the operation. lauerweaponry.com