dhains1963
Single-Sixer
Is this rust or the anodized finish wearing off? 19 year old ultralight revolver.
Aluminum Alloy Revolver frame
- Thread starter dhains1963
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Rat76
Single-Sixer
Well, it's not rust.
dhains1963
Single-Sixer
?
Rat76
Single-Sixer
Aluminum alloys don't rust. Can't tell from the pic is it's worn anodizing or just discolored. My Ultralite 32 mag is with my brother but if I recall correctly, it has a number of discolored areas.
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dhains1963
Single-Sixer
Can those discolored areas be cleaned?
beentheredone
Single-Sixer
Rust is oxidation, and raw, uncoated aluminum oxidizes almost instantly upon exposure to air. Aluminum gun frames receive one or another coating to prevent this. The most durable is anodizing, which is what you generally see on blued aluminum-frame guns, while others receive a spray-on varnish-type finish. That looks like the coating of that frame has begun to break down in that area. The coating used on S&W guns these days is so delicate that the owner's manual gives specific warnings about cautions when using some gun-cleaning products.
Rat76
Single-Sixer
Rust is a general term referring to oxides of iron. Rust is an oxide, not all oxides are rust. For example, aluminum oxide is not rust, it's aluminum oxide.
I couldn't tell from the pic if the aluminum frame was oxidized or just a finish discoloration. I did know it wasn't rust as it is not a steel alloy frame.
I couldn't tell from the pic if the aluminum frame was oxidized or just a finish discoloration. I did know it wasn't rust as it is not a steel alloy frame.
Anodizing of Aluminum is a process that uses sulphuric acid bath and an anodic current, lots of current. The clear oxide coat formed can be thin for decorative purposes or can be very thick for severe wear resistance. Thin anodizing can wear through to the base metal, or thick "hard anodizing" can be discolored or worn.
The newly anodized surface can be dyed with various colors and then sealed with a proprietary brew in hot water. Once sealed and dried the anodized surface is very resilient, but if worn it can show a mottled texture.
What to do to repair, nothing I've read about, but strip it and apply a new coat, which would be costly. Questions?
dhains1963
Single-Sixer
Would regular wiping down with silicone cloth be ok?
needsmostuff
Blackhawk
Looks to me like a matte, blasted surface with a protective clear coating. Polyurithane or some such.
Coating is not that durable and beginning to wear off.
Not too much you can do about it, they don't stay new forever.
Coating is not that durable and beginning to wear off.
Not too much you can do about it, they don't stay new forever.
Rat76
Single-Sixer
According to Taurus;
Mine's about the same age as the OP's. it's not clear coat. Interestingly S&W doesn't specify the finish on their Airweight. All they say is aluminum frame with silver finish.
Mine's about the same age as the OP's. it's not clear coat. Interestingly S&W doesn't specify the finish on their Airweight. All they say is aluminum frame with silver finish.
You bet, just short of notching the grip, a low to medium scruff factor adds to the beauty.If you never use it and put it in a protected area of a safe it would never look like it got used...and, nobody would ever accuse you of being a shooter!
RC44Mag
Buckeye
It's the anodized surface wearing. Common with aluminum framed revolvers learned from my research shopping a 642's. I think youre lucky just having a little spot of wear from that long an ownership. I would just wipe down aluminum parts with soft cloth( terry cloth, microfiber).
If it was mine I've leave it alone, Trying to fix very well might make it worse. A little character wear isn't bad.
If it was mine I've leave it alone, Trying to fix very well might make it worse. A little character wear isn't bad.
dhains1963
Single-Sixer
Tru dat! LolIf you never use it and put it in a protected area of a safe it would never look like it got used...and, nobody would ever accuse you of being a shooter!
dhains1963
Single-Sixer
Most people probably wished they looked that good after 19+ years!
To me, it acts and looks like some kind of clearcoat. On my 642 it got really bad peeling on the side that says Airweight. I used my fingernail and scratched most of it off. You can see how far I got by looking at the topstrap towards the barrel. I dont think the barrel and cylinder have that coating. You can see where its also starting on the other side. It certainly does not look good. I read where some guys are sending them out to be cerekoted.
Well said.
I think the aluminum grip frame
has a material choice problem. Like steel, does the manufacturer make the frame from a billet of 6000 or 7000 series, or make a die cast frame from a 4000 series aluminum?
On topic, die cast 4000 series will
anodize but with all the silicon doesn't make as solid a surface.
Anodizing forces a thick oxide surface conversion. The purity of the alloy determines the quality of the coat. Silicon content helps casting fluidity but is a drawback to surface conversion integrity.
has a material choice problem. Like steel, does the manufacturer make the frame from a billet of 6000 or 7000 series, or make a die cast frame from a 4000 series aluminum?
On topic, die cast 4000 series will
anodize but with all the silicon doesn't make as solid a surface.
Anodizing forces a thick oxide surface conversion. The purity of the alloy determines the quality of the coat. Silicon content helps casting fluidity but is a drawback to surface conversion integrity.
