Refinishing a glock 27 slide.

[comsubin61]

Hello,
I have just refinished and polished an OEM glock barrel and I like that way it come out.
Now I am thinking to do the same to the slide since it has some minor holster wear.
WHen I say refinished I mean I stripped it of the original coating and polished it to a bright silver finish.

What do you think are some of the issues with doing it and some of the difficulties that I might encounter?

Also I am not sure of the look, has anyone done it and do you have pictures?

Thanks for you response.

[harold63]

Stripping it to bare carbon steel will allow it to be a rust magnet. Also, carbon steel is a little darker in color than stainless. Carbon steel is very hard, so if you get scratches in it from scuffing, it will be hard to polish them out, and it will take a lot of polishing. If you want it bare, you can use a blue remover, but it will still have to be polished to get a sheen. By removing the "coating", you will be left with many microscopic pits that will not let the slide have a shiny appearance without a ton of polishing. Paint is easy to polish because it is relatively soft, but metal is a different monster if you don't have the right tools and materials. It can be done, but another idea would be to Cerakote it in the silver you want. You do not have to remove the coating to Cerokote it, either.

[comsubin61]

Stripping it to bare carbon steel will allow it to be a rust magnet. Also, carbon steel is a little darker in color than stainless. Carbon steel is very hard, so if you get scratches in it from scuffing, it will be hard to polish them out, and it will take a lot of polishing. If you want it bare, you can use a blue remover, but it will still have to be polished to get a sheen. By removing the "coating", you will be left with many microscopic pits that will not let the slide have a shiny appearance without a ton of polishing. Paint is easy to polish because it is relatively soft, but metal is a different monster if you don't have the right tools and materials. It can be done, but another idea would be to Cerakote it in the silver you want. You do not have to remove the coating to Cerokote it, either.

My understanding is that removing the top coat," the black coat", will not remove the teflon coating of the metal. The teflon is embedded much deeper then what I can remove by some light sanding with 1000 grit sand paper.

At least this is what I have read on another forum.

Am I incorrect?
The barrel looks great, is the frame different material then the barrel?

[rwb1500]

Read this;
http://forum.pafoa.org/gun-pictures-...ofy-glock.html

It can, and has been done, and rust isn't a problem.

[harold63]

Read this;
http://forum.pafoa.org/gun-pictures-...ofy-glock.html

It can, and has been done, and rust isn't a problem.

Remember what he said at the end of that post, Keep it clean and keep it coated." Bare carbon steel unprotected will rust.

[comsubin61]

Thank you both for the replies.
I think I am going to try it and if I don't get it right, I can always send it away to get it cerakoted. ( A most likely outcome).

I will post pictures of the damage.
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[toml]

Just as an aside: Glock will refinish a slide (and barrel as well, if you like) for a pretty reasonable cost. This post from back in January states slide-only was $45:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1066417/

[harold63]

My understanding is that removing the top coat," the black coat", will not remove the teflon coating of the metal. The teflon is embedded much deeper then what I can remove by some light sanding with 1000 grit sand paper.

I realize you've already decided to do this, but check out Glock at Wikipedia. It gives you the details you are asking about. As far as 1000 grit sand paper, it will take the metal down. It takes a lot of sanding to do it, but it will do it. Certain papers and discs will stay aggressive longer than others, and by using water with some of these papers, it helps to stay aggressive even longer. Some auto detailers will use 2000 grit wet sanding paper to remove heavy rail dust that sticks to new cars during transport. Rail dust is steel, just like a Glock slide is.

[comsubin61]

Well is a lot more involved then I thought.
Now I am not sure if I want to do this. The slide is really not that bad, just some light holster wear on the edges. It might be worthed to send it back to Glock for a refinishing job. Thanks for the post regarding glock refinishing.
Also thanks for all the suggestions, I think I will pass on doing this. I have polished the barrel, installed Ghost trigger set up with 6lbs springs, polished all the pins and slide release and I ordered night sights which I will install when I get them. I guess I did enough to it, I should send it away and get it done professionaly.

Now I am working on another Glock 27, which is an Hybrid. Gen 3 upper, Gen 4 lower, and most parts are purchased new since I bought the upper and frame stripped.
Its my custom made glock and if reliable, it will be my EDC.

Thanks again for your help in preventing a disaster.

[harold63]

It might be worthed to send it back to Glock for a refinishing job.

That is a good choice, or the silver Cerokote is an option, as well. I have a couple of Glocks and and not a fan of how they look, so much, but the silver slide on one looks mad cool, IMO. I think, off the top of my head, the kit costs around $40. If you go the Cerokote route, don't get any anywhere there is a moving part, such as the channels where the slide meshes with the frame.

I believe the slides that a lot of us see with the machined silver finish is exactly what it is; machined. You could pop the sights off of your slide and take it to a high reputation body shop and in no time at all, leave with a super shiny bare steel slide. Doing the job is not a serious task if you have the means to do it. By hand, yes, it is a job. What ever you do, I hope it turns out well.