Gun Kote process question?

[Johnpl]

I did all the prep work for my Beretta slide and have given it two coats in "Gun Metal Blue" and it looks great. My question: After the second coat dried, I noticed that I have one small drip on a curved contour of the slide (darn that spray nozzle )...should I attempt to sand this down before I bake it, or after? Thanks for any advice.

 

[stans]

I'd bake it first, that way you know there will be nothing like sanding grit or oil that will seep into the Gunkote during the bake. I did a 1911 slide years ago when flat was the only texture available. I put on three coats, baked it, then sanded and polished until it was almost mirror smooth. That slide went through thousands of rounds of ammo and thousands of presentations from the holster during IPSC/USPSA matches and practice and the only wear was on the sharp edges. It is still almost mirror smooth and polished on the flat surfaces. No rust either, even though it was shot in high humidity, misty rain, pouring rain and snow.

 

[usp_fan]

Johnpl,

I just finished a 1911. I learned that unbaked gunkote may be removed with acetone. Then you just respray the area you cleaned. I had to do this 2x on 1 part of my frame. Drips are no fun!

I also learned that if the parts are warm (120 degrees) the MEK in the gunkote will vaporize as soon as it hits the metal and leave a smooth, dry finish without drips.

--usp_fan