In a sea of similar slides, standing out can pose a challenge. Enter the trend of custom painting gun slides – a practice gaining traction among gun owners aiming to inject a personal touch into their firearms without compromising functionality.
Why Customize Your Gun Slide?
While the gun slide’s reputation precedes it for its functionality, adding a customized touch through painting has emerged as a popular choice among gun aficionados. Whether it’s about expressing individual style or enhancing firearm identification, painting the slide offers a quick, budget-friendly, and visually impactful solution.
Deciphering the Teniferation Process
Before embarking on the painting journey, it’s crucial to comprehend the Teniferation process. Tenifer, a proprietary finishing method employing salt bath nitrating, enhances firearm durability and rust resistance. This process not only contributes to the gun’s unique appearance but also distinguishes it from other handguns in terms of performance and longevity.
A Walkthrough of Painting Your Gun Slide
Disassembly
Commence the painting process by disassembling the slide. This entails removing the barrel, recoil spring assembly, firing pin, spacer sleeve, firing pin spring, and spring cups. Proper disassembly guarantees that each part is primed for painting.
Cleaning with Isopropyl Alcohol
Thoroughly cleanse the slide’s interior with 91% (or higher) Isopropyl alcohol. Utilize high-quality cleaning materials to eliminate any residue that could jeopardize the paint job.
Precise Taping
Exercise precision while taping the bottom portion of the slide, encompassing the side rails’ grooves and channels. This precautionary measure ensures that the paint application doesn’t impede the slide’s functionality post-painting.
Securing the Sights
Take extra care to tape off the sights to prevent paint residue from obstructing visibility. Clear sights are imperative for precise aiming.
Gentle Sanding
Employ a light sanding technique to texture the surfaces, facilitating paint adhesion. Exercise caution to avoid excessive sanding, which could compromise the slide’s structural integrity.
Cleaning with Acetone
Wipe the slide’s outer surface with acetone to eliminate any residual sanding dust. A pristine surface paves the way for a flawless and professional-grade paint finish.
Heat Treatment
Preheat the slide in an oven set to 150°F for 5 to 10 minutes. This preparatory step is pivotal for optimizing paint adhesion. Exercise caution with temperature settings to prevent any damage to the slide.
Suspension and Spraying
Suspend the slide using para-cord threaded through the recoil spring hole. Apply paint evenly, ensuring its compatibility with gun surfaces. Multiple thin coats yield superior and long-lasting results compared to a single thick coat.
Drying Phase
Allow the slide to air dry for 1-2 hours after applying 6-7 paint coatings. Remove the tape meticulously and refrain from using the firearm for several days to allow the paint to cure fully.
Incorporating Custom Stencils (Optional)
Elevate your gun slide customization by incorporating custom stencils for a distinct design. Prior to applying the base coat, create or procure stencils aligned with your desired pattern or imagery. Strategically position the stencils on the slide, ensuring secure adhesion.
Apply the base coat as usual, covering the entire slide, including the stenciled areas. Once the base coat dries, carefully remove the stencils to unveil the customized design. This step opens avenues for boundless creativity, enabling gun owners to showcase personal symbols, logos, or intricate patterns on their gun slides.
Remember to adhere to additional coating applications and the drying protocol outlined in the preceding steps to achieve a seamless and enduring finish. Custom stencils inject an artistic and personalized flair, rendering your gun slide truly unparalleled on the firing line.Painting your gun slide presents an exceptional opportunity to infuse a personal touch into your firearm while upholding its functionality. Following these meticulously outlined steps ensures a polished and professional-grade paint job that will undoubtedly set your gun apart from the rest. Unleash your individual style and make a statement at the shooting range with a custom-painted gun slide that reflects your unique persona.
