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It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 6:22 am
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Cerakote, when is too far?
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Acpguy
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Location: Lacey Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 Posts: 920
Real Name: Deke
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As many of the board members here know I have been doing cerakote and gun restoration for many yrs. it started as just a hobby for myself while I was out of work from a motorcycle accident . I’ve done a metric shit ton of work for people , friends , family , friends of friends and many board members here and on the other sites.
My question is this, the need for restoration or customization is user subjective. Myself, I’m a 1911 NUT, and many of my 1911s are custom to my taste. But I would never, NEVER coat an old colt 1911 with history ! But where do we draw the line? Is it value, age, rarity?? When do I have to feel bad about “ruining” a firearm with cerakote.
I realize this is gona draw opinions all over the spectrum, but trying to gauge my opinion against what others think?
Thoughts?
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Sun Jun 17, 2018 9:57 pm |
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Guns4Liberty
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Location: Lynnwood/Bothell Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2014 Posts: 8552
Real Name: Curtis
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I used to think that altering vintage/historic firearms was borderline criminal, but I've since changed my mind. Bluing is not a very good protective coating - at least not as good as more modern finishes. To me, it's more important that the firearm last a long time and get used than stay "pretty" but turn into a rusty hunk of metal, or never leave the safe. If cerakote is going to give that cool old gun some longevity and make sure it gets used, then I say go for it. However, the traditionalist in me says don't take it too far by cerakoting it in Zombie Green. But to each their own.
I guess it also depends on the current condition of the gun. If it's in great shape, I'd leave it alone. If it's rough around the edges, then it's a prime candidate for a facelift.
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 6:17 am |
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AR15L
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Location: Nampa, Idaho Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 Posts: 19387
Real Name: Rick
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Would you inscribe MS13 into the slide of a WWII 1911 collectible? Kinda goes along the same thing you're asking with the Cerakote.
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 6:24 am |
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os2firefox
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Location: Everett, WA Joined: Sat Aug 4, 2012 Posts: 2798
Real Name: Snek on de ladder
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It depends, are you attempting to preserve the firearm as an artifact to put in a museum (no to cerakote) or as a tool that you want to use for a long time (yeah to cerakote).
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 6:35 am |
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jukk0u
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Location: Lynnwood and at large Joined: Wed May 1, 2013 Posts: 21151
Real Name: Vick Lagina
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Advise your customers that alteration will affect the value of an item. A very customized appearance will/may not appeal to others as much as a "stock" piece. Removing original finish and wear from more "historical" pieces will/may reduce the value to some collectors. Allow them to decide, then do your best work. Go to sleep at night with a clear conscience.
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 6:37 am |
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hkcavalier
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Location: NE WA Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 Posts: 5470
Real Name: The Dude
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There are true collectibles regardless of condition e.g. wartime guns, some pre WWII guns, etc. where the patina and wear are part of the story.
Anything else, fire away. I've been on the hunt for a finish challenged S&W M&P snub or a Colt Detective Special to send off to Robar for a full "pinto" treatment of Roguard/NP3. Been thinking of the same with a pre-crossbolt Win 94 or 92.
I think of TINCANBANDIT's blog and can't think of a single gun he's done where I'm like, "Wow why would you do that to a collectible?"
_________________ "Wherever you go, there you are."
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 8:26 am |
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lionhrt
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Location: Skagit county Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2012 Posts: 1389
Real Name: Dave
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Only the owner of said gun could really make that call. It is sort of like classic cars say you have a 32 ford I would like it hot rodded but if it is a 69 Camero I would want it numbers matching and all original not a resto mod. Everyone will have different view.
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 8:35 am |
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deadshot2
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Location: Marysville, WA Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 Posts: 11581
Real Name: Mike
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I leave collecting to those who like to tie up their money in things they can't play with whenever they want.
Cerakote is my friend unless my firearms are stanless or came with a similar coating.
I think the decision to Cerakote or not on a firearm with collection value still lies with the owner. If it's a real valuable collectible, offer to buy it. Chances are they don't have a clue to the value and if you now own it you're the one that could cash in.
Kind of like all those stories where a guy buys a classic car that was stored for 60+ years in a barn from the widow of the original owner for a couple hundred bucks. Widow just wanted the barn cleaned out before she put the farm on the market and didn't have a clue as to it's value.
_________________ "I've learned from the Dog that an afternoon nap is a good thing"
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:12 am |
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hkcavalier
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Location: NE WA Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 Posts: 5470
Real Name: The Dude
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I understand business is business, but if some douche who inherited his grandfather's WWII 1911A1 with which he hit the beach against the Germans or Japanese, and wanted to coat it in zombie green with black skulls, I'd educate him on what he really has and tell him I'm not doing the work.
_________________ "Wherever you go, there you are."
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:29 am |
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sreyemj
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 Posts: 1367
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I think cerakote makes nice guns look like play-doh.
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:50 am |
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edogg
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Location: Central FL Joined: Sun Apr 7, 2013 Posts: 3207
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I’d say “it depends”. In the above example, maybe grandpa was a sci-fi buff who liked zombie stories.
I’ve got the old Marlin 30-30 which my grandfather used to hunt deer when he homesteaded in OR. At one point, my dad had it reblued and it looks great. I don’t feel a loss for the patina. Only appreciation that the rifle is being cared for and preserved.
My dad has a 1911 pre series 70 Colt stamped with “government property”. Back in the 70’s or 80’s he had it custom built by a well renowned gunsmith (can’t remember which...ether Novak or a guy who was the LAPD armorer). It’s now a gorgeous 2-tone perfectly running machine with modern touches like checkered front and back straps, a skeleton trigger/hammer, etc. It’s wonderfully done. The gun was pretty beat up when he had it refinished, which extended its usefulness.
My dad also has a series 70 that’s in VG condition in the box. He wants to have another custom 1911 built but doesn’t want to do it from such a nice vintage, collectible piece.
There’s nothing wrong with modifying or updating old stuff. And there’s nothing wrong with being a collector and appreciating original stuff.
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 11:00 am |
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deadshot2
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Location: Marysville, WA Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 Posts: 11581
Real Name: Mike
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edogg wrote: And there’s nothing wrong with being a collector and appreciating original stuff.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Unless you start to run out of room in your house.
_________________ "I've learned from the Dog that an afternoon nap is a good thing"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother" - William Shakespeare
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 11:20 am |
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DONOTBUGME
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Location: Auburn Joined: Wed May 4, 2016 Posts: 309
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Whatever you own, you should be able to customize to suit your needs. Dont worry what other people think.
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 11:22 am |
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TINCANBANDIT
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Location: Mohave Valley Arizona Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 Posts: 13371
Real Name: Casey
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I think it is always a judgement call based on the firearm some examples
Pre '64 Winchester model 70...have it professionally refinished or leave the patina if not too bad
Post '64 Winchester model 70, do what you like
50's vintage Remington 870 Wingmaster, leave alone or reblue
new Remington 870 Express, do what you like
WWII or older war relic: leave alone, who knows how that scratch got there
Modern Sporting Rifle (AR etc), go for it
IMO Cerakote has it's place, but I cringe when I see it on lever actions and revolvers....sorry it just doesn't look right to me, but on modern sporting rifles it looks awesome
_________________Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, All models are over 18 years of age, upon approval of credit, Quantities are limited while supplies last, Some restrictions apply, Not available with other offers, At participating locations only, Void where prohibited, Above terms subject to change without notice, Patent pending.See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 12:32 pm |
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edogg
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Location: Central FL Joined: Sun Apr 7, 2013 Posts: 3207
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deadshot2 wrote: edogg wrote: And there’s nothing wrong with being a collector and appreciating original stuff.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Unless you start to run out of room in your house. Well that’s a fine line between collecting and hoarding. ;) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Mon Jun 18, 2018 3:17 pm |
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