Grip frame refininshing question

[Three50seven]

I'm kicking around the idea of removing the paint from the grip frame of my NM .357 blackhawk. The gun is probably 85-90% otherwise, but I don't have any plans to get rid of it. I know this would lessen the value of the gun, but I was just wondering if anyone had done it and if you had pictures. I read an article awhile back about Skeeter Skelton doing this to one of his old models and I thought it really made for a handsome looking piece.

 

[contender]

I've seen several stripped grip frames in the past. I've even owned a few. While they give a neat 2-toned appearance,, I understand it can be a chore to get it all off & looking good.

 

[grayelk34]

I did it to my OM .357. The anodizing came of fairly easily with sand paper. Then I polished it with polishing compound & Dremel. Also did aluminum ejector housing. Do the new models hava different coating?

Neil

 

[blackiehawkins]

I did that to a .357 Blackhawk I came across in a pawn shop. It was in pretty sad shape so I thought I'd see what could be done. I used increasingly finer grades of wet sandpaper. It IS work! Here's before and after pics:

 

[Rusty W]

I don't have any pics but I did it to a NM 45 convertible. I took it off the gun, sprayed it with carb cleaner and let it set for about an hour. The black paint started to wrinkle some so I thought I'd set it in some berrymans carb cleaner over night. The kind in a 1 gallon jug with a parts pan in it. I pulled it out the next morning and it wiped right off. The aluminum isn't shiney but hey I gotta dremel. Out come the buffing compound and wheels. Off and on for 2 days I'm starting to think this ain't such a good idea. I eventually get it the way I want it, semichrome works good too. But after 2 years of trying to keep it shiny I went back with some flat black and said to heck with it.

 

[Robb Barnes]

Here is on OM 357 conversion to 41 Special Andy Horvath did for me. He stripped the grip frame before he round butted it.

 

[flatgate]

I've replaced the beat up aluminum grip frames with one made from stainless steel......

flatgate

 

[Three50seven]

Thanks for all the great info so far guys. Those are some awesome looking guns! I'm still not sure If I want to do it or not, but I'll keep tossing it around. thanks!