Two part question. finish work.

[knight0334]

1.  I'd like to refinish my Norinco 1911A1.  The receiver is "blued", the slide is a matte black finish.  I'd like to refinish both parts to a matching matte black to sharply contrast with some polished stainless steel accessaries(see below).  Will I need to strip the existing finish first? and What do you recommend for a durable finish(daily CCW).

2.  Stainless steel polishing>  I'd like to polish some 1911 parts(rather small) and also repolish my stainless Virginian Dragoon-barrel, cylinder, backstrap and receiver to look nice with a set of purpleheart wood grips I'm making.  What do I need to polish SS(406 grade)?  I have a Dremel knockoff tool..

[gunnut69]

Armaloy or other hard chrome finishes would give a rustproof and very durable finish but are almost a satin stainless in color. Perhaps a black chrome?  If a do it yourself finish is needed I had excellant luck with powder coating..  Removing finish?  It will depend on what type finish you decide on.  Usually yes.  Polishing SS is doable by hand.  I use various grits of wet or dry paper and crocus cloth..  These of course must be properly backed to aviod rounding corners and edges.

[armory414]

Talk to the techs at Brownells, and tell them what you want to do with the 1911A1.  They have a spray-on finish that you bake in your oven that provides a matte finish, almost like parkerizing.  Comes in several colors, including those for camo.