Refinishing a S&W 59

[spazzymcgee]

I just bought a S&W 59, and it's beat. The finish is pretty worn. I was hoping to restore its former beauty. I was wondering if refinishing it would increase or decrease the value. I know that refinishing a collectors' piece would be foolish, but does this gun fall into that category? When I say refinish, I mean either cold or rust blue, or maybe Aluma-hyde. I know I wouldn't be able to blue the frame, so what would be best? Blue the top, and spray the bottom? Any advice would be great. Also, does anyone know of a good looking pair of grips for this gun? I've heard that wood grips would have to be too wide to be comfortable, and I don't like pachmayr or stock grips. Thanks. Here's a picture.

 

[Kp321]

59's are not collector pieces so go for it. You will have to spray the frame with Aluma-Hide or DuraCoat. If you DuraCoat the frame, why not go ahead and do the slide too? Properly applied, it will outlast cold blue.

 

[jdh]

I tried every aluminum touch up product on the market on a 59 frame. Not one of them produced an acceptable result.

The three choices I was left with were
1. find a company to re-anodize it.
2. powder coat it
3. paint it.

The short term fix was to paint it. I used Duplicolor Self Etching primer under a quality gloss black paint. The paint will wear but can be retouched. There are other coating processes available now that may be more wear resistant.

 

[spazzymcgee]

Thanks, guys. I'll probably Aluma Hyde the whole thing with the semi gloss stuff. Any other opinions or tips?

 

[slicksleeve]

Since you asked for opinions, if you like a blued slide, I would slow rust blue it. Pilkington's Classic American rust blue works great. It would be miles ahead of cold blue. That slide should be small enough to fit in a pot to boil on your stove. It would look good, andwear well. It's a slow process, just like the name says. I have used duracoat, and that will work or use Aluma Hyde on the frame.

 

[Keeperfaith]

Cerakote it!!!

Hell, I could do it for you for next to nothing if we lived close by.

I'd just ask that you do the hard work (disassemble it)...

You can get the air dry cerakote and if you have a air brush or if you can borrow one, you'll get great results with cerakote.

just my opinion.

Thanks
Steve

 

[nulook45]

Hi-Temp engine paint works good and the slide was originaly parked on that gun its just like my 915 <the slide> repark it or blue it you'll be fine .

 

[BBBBill]

Not sure where you got that bogus info. Model 59's had blued slides and anodized frames from the factory.

 

[spazzymcgee]

I've decided to do the whole thing is Norrell's moly resin. Either the stainless of gloss black. Haven't decided. I'll post some pictures during and after painting.