Painting airweight J-Frame?

[maroonandwhite]

I have a Smith 637 that I am thinking of painting. The clear coat is coming off and while I don't really care if it looks like a used gun I would just prefer that it be black. In some of the pants I wear the back of the grip rides right at the top of my pocket and the silver strap draws attention to it. I have seen at least one thread online somewhere a guy used duracoat on it. I am wondering if I can get away with some good flat black engine paint. I would want it to be semi durable but am not looking for a cerakote quality job. As with everything paint I'm sure prep work is the key but I'm not sure how to prep this.

 

Anyone done something like this before?

Edited February 28, 2015 by maroonandwhite

[enfield]

My 638 looks like crap after 15 years of carry.  But then, I'm the only person who ever sees it.  If I were to have it refinished, I'd go with Cerakote or one of the other premium finishes.  The S&W finish ain't durable at all.

 

That said, I painted an FAL barrel and lower with black grill paint.  It looked great, and it's probably as durable as the original paint.  It was South American and had the barrel worn bright, obviously from some doofus carrying it by the barrel.  I think it was carried a lot, shot rarely and dropped once.   :D

[hipower]

...It was South American and had the barrel worn bright, obviously from some doofus carrying it by the barrel.  I think it was carried a lot, shot rarely and dropped once.   :D

Sounds like a French Military weapon to me.

[Patton]

S&w has refinished a few for people over the years without charge, and some they have charged. You can hire someone to cerakot, but a friend of mine has a 637 that has been stripped and polished. It really looks good. I will see if I can get him to post pictures soon.

[10-Ring]

S&w has refinished a few for people over the years without charge, and some they have charged. You can hire someone to cerakot, but a friend of mine has a 637 that has been stripped and polished. It really looks good. I will see if I can get him to post pictures soon.

 

Wonder what the trick is for getting them to do it free of charge.  I have a 642 that was my primary carry weapon for years and I have always had issues with the finish on it.  Almost like it's a clear coat that just flakes off.

[maroonandwhite]

S&w has refinished a few for people over the years without charge, and some they have charged. You can hire someone to cerakot, but a friend of mine has a 637 that has been stripped and polished. It really looks good. I will see if I can get him to post pictures soon.

That would be great. Thanks.

[mhm2a]

I bead blasted my 637 and duracoated the frame while leaving the cylinder the original finish. I let it cure for 2 weeks before carrying and It did not hold up at all. I ended up bead blasting off the duracoat and just rocking a satin finish with no more clear coat. If I had to do it over I would contact S&W to see if they would warranty the finish.