most durable gun finish

leo77 · 11-26-2011, 01:45 PM

I have spent some time now trying to find the Most Durable and Most Anti-Corrosive Black finish available, Regardless of the Cost.
I have heard of Ion-Bond, Melonite, Carakote, Nickel Plating, Black-T, Etc, Etc.

Does anyone Actually Know what is the Best overall Black Finish?

I have two new high-end pistols that Im looking to have Finished.
Need to find the Absolute Best "Black" Finish Available!! (Most Durable/Most Anti-Corrosive)
Also any recommendations on who should do the work?
Thanks Much

dfariswheel · 11-26-2011, 04:27 PM

One that gets good reviews is Coal Creek Armory's Isonite QPQ finish.
It's apparently a Melonite type finish that's about bullet proof.

http://www.coalcreekarmory.com/custo....html#Melonite

Black-T and Ceracoate are "paint type" finishes that aren't as durable as touted.
Black chrome is really more of a decorative finish and isn't very durable.

.41magfan · 11-26-2011, 04:59 PM

I had Walt Birdsong (R.I.P.) do his Black-T magic on a J-Frame revolver and a 1911 slide many years ago and have mixed feelings about their durability. These "Gen II" finishes are better than blueing but not as durable as directly applied "plating" finishes like hard-chrome.

With all "applied" finishes - abrasion is the booger man. The latest iteration (Gen III) of applied finishes like Cerekote are way ahead of the previous coatings, but I've only had personal experience with one pistol so I can't really say a whole lot from first hand experience. I've handled other Cerekoted guns - not mine - that appear to be wearing well. I have a Glock slide in the queue now and I'm anxious to get it back and see how it does on a daily carry pistol.

I use these folks for all my plating needs:
FINISHES - Metal Finishes | APWCOGAN

George M. · 11-27-2011, 07:59 AM

I vote for Parkerizing plus soaking in GO90. Works for me. George M.

Alabaster · 11-27-2011, 09:51 AM

What's GO90?

I'd personally say the most durable I've seen is Tenifer. I don't know where to get it though(Other than on a factory GLOCK). I've seen Roguard hold up really well, too. Those are the only two black finishes I really have experience with that I would EVER recommend. In my experience, black finishes just don't hold very well, regardless of how they're applied or who put them on. Chrome is the shiznitobam, period. I know of NOTHING that can hold a candle to it. You just have to get over the jungle fever, is all.

George M. · 11-28-2011, 07:41 AM

Army lingo for Gear Oil 90 weight, used in manual xmissions and truck rear ends. George M.

Wild Bill Caldwell · 11-28-2011, 03:13 PM

41magfan.... RIP Walter Birdsong ?????? haven't been by Birdsongs in a few years.....when did this happen ? Several years ago He was buildin an airplane , did He crash it ? Need to drop in on Bob Cogan at APW next time I'm runnin thru South Ala. Hadn't seen Bob in years

Wild Bill

retDAC · 11-28-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alabaster

What's GO90?

I'd personally say the most durable I've seen is Tenifer. I don't know where to get it though(Other than on a factory GLOCK). I've seen Roguard hold up really well, too. Those are the only two black finishes ...

The black on Tenifered Glocks is actually a black oxide that can wear off. Tenifer itself is somewhat shiny like maybe dull chrome or dull nickel.

.41magfan · 11-29-2011, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Bill Caldwell

41magfan.... RIP Walter Birdsong ?????? haven't been by Birdsongs in a few years.....when did this happen ? Several years ago He was buildin an airplane , did He crash it ? Need to drop in on Bob Cogan at APW next time I'm runnin thru South Ala. Hadn't seen Bob in years

Wild Bill

Walt passed away in the Summer of 2009 .... apparent heart attack. Super nice guy.

.41magfan · 11-29-2011, 05:06 AM

For anyone that might give a hoot:

Tenifer (aka Melonite if done in the US) is a metal surface treatment - not a finish, per se - that essentially has no "color".

Glock used to parkerize their slides, now they use some sort of applied finish. This finish - whatever is used - serves only to address the cosmetics of the metal. When the "finish"' - whatever it happens to be - wears off, the metal is still protected by the Tenifer "treatment".

Said another way; Tenifer is a surface treatment - finishing is something that's applied over it.

Brian D. · 11-29-2011, 06:50 AM

Whatever that epoxy-based black stuff is that FN/Browning uses on the Mark III Hi Powers, it's pretty dang tough so far. I wouldn't mind knowing exactly what that finish is, in fact.

Alabaster · 11-29-2011, 11:04 AM

.41magfan, that seems to be a matter of semantics. I imagine the OP doesn't mind whether it's a "Surface treatment" or a "Finish". I think what they're ultimately after is a black gun that stays black for as long as possible.

jms45cal · 12-12-2011, 01:14 PM

stay away from metalloy I had a very bad experiance with that company.

Alabaster · 12-12-2011, 05:29 PM

jms45cal, that's the 2nd time I've seen you post about this situation, now. Would you tell us what happened? Pics perhaps? Another thread may be appropriate, but my interest is up, for sure.

tabbat8 · 09-19-2012, 08:41 AM

the best stuff i've ever dealt with was a nice heavy coat of titanium nitride done for me by a local plater who'd been in business for decades. he knew his work well, and applied two thou and a half of TiN in feldgrau to a .40 Sig 226 for me. it even took double passes with the lasers to put the sig custom shop logo on it , and do the other extra engraving. no holster-wear's taking that off!

and at 65$ it was a major steal....

11-26-2011, 01:45 PM	#1
leo77 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 13	Most Durable and Anti-Corrosive Finish? I have spent some time now trying to find the Most Durable and Most Anti-Corrosive Black finish available, Regardless of the Cost. I have heard of Ion-Bond, Melonite, Carakote, Nickel Plating, Black-T, Etc, Etc. Does anyone Actually Know what is the Best overall Black Finish? I have two new high-end pistols that Im looking to have Finished. Need to find the Absolute Best "Black" Finish Available!! (Most Durable/Most Anti-Corrosive) Also any recommendations on who should do the work? Thanks Much Last edited by leo77; 11-26-2011 at 02:31 PM.

11-26-2011, 04:27 PM	#2
dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 1,424	One that gets good reviews is Coal Creek Armory's Isonite QPQ finish. It's apparently a Melonite type finish that's about bullet proof. http://www.coalcreekarmory.com/custo....html#Melonite Black-T and Ceracoate are "paint type" finishes that aren't as durable as touted. Black chrome is really more of a decorative finish and isn't very durable. Last edited by dfariswheel; 11-26-2011 at 04:34 PM.

09-19-2012, 08:41 AM	#15
tabbat8 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: derry Posts: 26	the best stuff i've ever dealt with was a nice heavy coat of titanium nitride done for me by a local plater who'd been in business for decades. he knew his work well, and applied two thou and a half of TiN in feldgrau to a .40 Sig 226 for me. it even took double passes with the lasers to put the sig custom shop logo on it , and do the other extra engraving. no holster-wear's taking that off! and at 65$ it was a major steal.... Last edited by tabbat8; 09-19-2012 at 08:42 AM. Reason: add on

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11-26-2011, 04:59 PM	#3
.41magfan Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NC Posts: 7	I had Walt Birdsong (R.I.P.) do his Black-T magic on a J-Frame revolver and a 1911 slide many years ago and have mixed feelings about their durability. These "Gen II" finishes are better than blueing but not as durable as directly applied "plating" finishes like hard-chrome. With all "applied" finishes - abrasion is the booger man. The latest iteration (Gen III) of applied finishes like Cerekote are way ahead of the previous coatings, but I've only had personal experience with one pistol so I can't really say a whole lot from first hand experience. I've handled other Cerekoted guns - not mine - that appear to be wearing well. I have a Glock slide in the queue now and I'm anxious to get it back and see how it does on a daily carry pistol. I use these folks for all my plating needs: FINISHES - Metal Finishes \| APWCOGAN

11-27-2011, 07:59 AM	#4
George M. Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 66	I vote for Parkerizing plus soaking in GO90. Works for me. George M.

11-27-2011, 09:51 AM	#5
Alabaster Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NOVA Posts: 370	What's GO90? I'd personally say the most durable I've seen is Tenifer. I don't know where to get it though(Other than on a factory GLOCK). I've seen Roguard hold up really well, too. Those are the only two black finishes I really have experience with that I would EVER recommend. In my experience, black finishes just don't hold very well, regardless of how they're applied or who put them on. Chrome is the shiznitobam, period. I know of NOTHING that can hold a candle to it. You just have to get over the jungle fever, is all.

11-28-2011, 07:41 AM	#6
George M. Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 66	Army lingo for Gear Oil 90 weight, used in manual xmissions and truck rear ends. George M.

11-28-2011, 03:13 PM	#7
Wild Bill Caldwell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 526	41magfan.... RIP Walter Birdsong ?????? haven't been by Birdsongs in a few years.....when did this happen ? Several years ago He was buildin an airplane , did He crash it ? Need to drop in on Bob Cogan at APW next time I'm runnin thru South Ala. Hadn't seen Bob in years Wild Bill

11-29-2011, 05:06 AM	#10
.41magfan Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NC Posts: 7	For anyone that might give a hoot: Tenifer (aka Melonite if done in the US) is a metal surface treatment - not a finish, per se - that essentially has no "color". Glock used to parkerize their slides, now they use some sort of applied finish. This finish - whatever is used - serves only to address the cosmetics of the metal. When the "finish"' - whatever it happens to be - wears off, the metal is still protected by the Tenifer "treatment". Said another way; Tenifer is a surface treatment - finishing is something that's applied over it.

11-29-2011, 06:50 AM	#11
Brian D. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 441	Whatever that epoxy-based black stuff is that FN/Browning uses on the Mark III Hi Powers, it's pretty dang tough so far. I wouldn't mind knowing exactly what that finish is, in fact.

11-29-2011, 11:04 AM	#12
Alabaster Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NOVA Posts: 370	.41magfan, that seems to be a matter of semantics. I imagine the OP doesn't mind whether it's a "Surface treatment" or a "Finish". I think what they're ultimately after is a black gun that stays black for as long as possible.

12-12-2011, 01:14 PM	#13
jms45cal Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: PA Posts: 4	stay away from metalloy I had a very bad experiance with that company.

12-12-2011, 05:29 PM	#14
Alabaster Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NOVA Posts: 370	jms45cal, that's the 2nd time I've seen you post about this situation, now. Would you tell us what happened? Pics perhaps? Another thread may be appropriate, but my interest is up, for sure.