Author Topic: Paints for Gun sights  (Read 889 times)

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Offline streak

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Paints for Gun sights
« on: December 17, 2012, 06:42:50 AM »
Did a search for paints for putting on gun sights and reviews on most commercial products were pretty negative for the most part! Any of you know a good type of paint to use on your sights that will stay on and enable one to see the front sight clearly in low light conditions? I have aTC Hawken and GPR that I need to paint the front sights.
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Offline bubba.50

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2012, 06:49:12 AM »
"borrow" a dab of yer wife/daughter/girlfriend etc's brightest nail polish.
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Offline Hellgate

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2012, 06:53:08 AM »
I went to a hobby shop and got a small bottle of DAY-GLO flourescent paint in hunter orange or orange color. I painted the front sight beads on my Hawken and Musketoon and it made a big difference in the dim, low light, heavy cloud cover, low sun angle, dreary winter days here in the woodsy, rainy Pacific Northwest. I was able to make a quick snap shot on a cow elk. With the tiny dab of paint I didn't need to hunt for the sight when a split second really counted. Once the smoke cleared there she was laying where she once stood.
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Offline Saloon slug

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2012, 09:46:44 AM »
I use the hot pink florecent safety spray paint from Krylon. Spray some in the cap and use a qtip to dab it on. Its is easy to see all the way up to 30 minutes after sun set.

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Offline P.A. Myers

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2012, 10:13:39 AM »
I used to use 'correction fluid' or 'white out' .  This stuff was used to paint over typing mistakes. Bright white and dries almost instant. Comes in a little bottle with a brush in the cap.
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Offline gonetocamp

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2012, 04:13:44 PM »
White out is also available in an ink pen type dispenser. Press the point to the sight to depress the tip and squeeze the body to release the white out. White out on the sight will last a good while. Remove it when hunting in snow.

Offline streak

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2012, 05:21:59 PM »
Thanks guys for all the info!!
I have several muzzleloaders to paint , so I think I will try all of the above suggestions!! :)
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Offline tacklebury

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2012, 04:34:27 PM »
"borrow" a dab of yer wife/daughter/girlfriend etc's brightest nail polish.

+1  Have it on several of mine.  I also got some glow in the dark paint and put a dot on the front post centered and the rear just below the v.  Makes it easy to pick up the sights for quick acquisition.


 
Tacklebury --}>>>>>    Multi-Barrel: .223 Superlite, 7mm-08 22", .30-40 Krag M158, .357 Maximum 16-1/4 HB, .45 Colt, .45-70 22" irons, 32" .45-70 Peeps, 12 Ga. 3-1/2 w/ Chokes, .410 Smooth slugger, .45 Cal Muzzy, .50 Cal Muzzy, .58 Cal Muzzy

also classics: M903 9-shot Target .22 Revolver, 1926 .410 Single, 1915 38 S&W Break top Revolver and 7-shot H&R Trapper .22 6" bbl.


Offline coyotejoe

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #8 on: December 23, 2012, 03:52:48 AM »
I like a white bead on the front sight, white shows up better than any other color in dim light but can be poor against snow. For that reason I like "white-out" because it can be chipped off with a finger nail and easily reapplied, pretty much best of both worlds.
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Offline kynardsj

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #9 on: December 23, 2012, 05:14:50 AM »
I agree with a couple of the replies above.................nail polish. I've tried some of the paints for sights and none of them works any better, and some not as well, as nail polish. You can own a bottle of a color you like from a dollar store for a buck.
When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die the world cries and you rejoice.

Offline tacklebury

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #10 on: December 23, 2012, 08:36:24 AM »
These guys do have specialty paints available too if you prefer it.  I've never used them personally though:
http://www.warrencustomoutdoor.com/bright-sights.html
Tacklebury --}>>>>>    Multi-Barrel: .223 Superlite, 7mm-08 22", .30-40 Krag M158, .357 Maximum 16-1/4 HB, .45 Colt, .45-70 22" irons, 32" .45-70 Peeps, 12 Ga. 3-1/2 w/ Chokes, .410 Smooth slugger, .45 Cal Muzzy, .50 Cal Muzzy, .58 Cal Muzzy

also classics: M903 9-shot Target .22 Revolver, 1926 .410 Single, 1915 38 S&W Break top Revolver and 7-shot H&R Trapper .22 6" bbl.


Offline pastorp

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #11 on: December 23, 2012, 09:59:58 AM »
Nail polish for me as well. It goes on good and is durable.  ;D

I have 3 different colors I use but like a bright orange most of the time.

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Offline streak

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #12 on: December 23, 2012, 03:55:28 PM »
Yesterday, one of my lady friends picked me up two different bottles of finger nail polish. One of them I used to paint my front sight on my Hawken. This is the brightest florescent orange that I have ever encountered. I put it on and it is really hard to tell whether it is a bright orange or a hot passionate pink!! " A little dab`ll do you"!! It really works! The other bottle is an eflorescent green, will try that on my next rifle.
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Offline tacklebury

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #13 on: December 23, 2012, 04:01:11 PM »
One thing to remember is that most of the bright colors are fairly translucent.  That being said, I often use 2 to 5 coats to get the optimum color level.  I use a blow dryer to speed drying the coats on the sight, but it sure looks better with most fluorescents if you do at least 3 coats.
Tacklebury --}>>>>>    Multi-Barrel: .223 Superlite, 7mm-08 22", .30-40 Krag M158, .357 Maximum 16-1/4 HB, .45 Colt, .45-70 22" irons, 32" .45-70 Peeps, 12 Ga. 3-1/2 w/ Chokes, .410 Smooth slugger, .45 Cal Muzzy, .50 Cal Muzzy, .58 Cal Muzzy

also classics: M903 9-shot Target .22 Revolver, 1926 .410 Single, 1915 38 S&W Break top Revolver and 7-shot H&R Trapper .22 6" bbl.


Offline streak

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #14 on: December 24, 2012, 02:38:33 PM »
Thanks for the advice tacklebury!!
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Offline greenrivers

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #15 on: December 26, 2012, 06:58:13 PM »
Old eyes and the battle to keep going. A down hill battle? Hope the slope is not too steep! Cabela's has a floresand white paint that comes in a small vial. Enough to do several rifles. Aplied with a tooth pick, it works well. I used it on a model 92 and with a tang sight it did help. I have also tried the nail war paints and the floresant green seems to be reported as being the best for male eyes. I am at presant waiting for a green fiber optic front to arrive for my Freedom Arms. Hope it works. Not sure what will be next. Brail method?

Offline pastorp

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Re: Paints for Gun sights
« Reply #16 on: December 26, 2012, 08:43:49 PM »
Now that's a novel idea GR, Braille gun sights.  ;D after that maybe the seeing eye dog aims the gun for you.  :)

Regards,
Byron

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