Resurrected Grips

[Tom]

When I bought my Springfield Mil-Spec last year, the grips that came with it were the standard black grips, but they were really cruddy and dull. I didn't like 'em and the first chance I had I bought a pair of the "U.S." logo grips to replace them. The originals went into a box and have sat untouched since.

Well, I was sitting around today and feeling a bit bored. I was going through my box of gun stuff and saw these nasty Mil-Spec grips and I got an idea. What if I were clean these up?

I started first by washing them to try to get whatever was stuck in the checkering out, but that didn't work. Using a toothbrush didn't make any difference either, so I stepped up to a steel bristle brush and went to town. I ended up getting the crud out from within the grooves, but lost the gloss of the grips. Now instead of a black, the grips were a dull gray color.

Then I had idea #2 - paint them! I had a can of Testors flat black model paint from a previous project, so I set the grips up with a prop and gave them a few coats of the black paint.

When it all dried they looked black ... but there was still something missing. The paint I used was a flat black, and they didn't stand out well against the Parkerized finish. What to do, what to do ...

Fortunately I had a can of clear gloss and gave the grip panels a couple coats of that. Once it all dried I thought they looked pretty good.

Here are the grips after they were painted:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/IslandersFan/Resurrected%20Grips/RessurectedGrips1.jpg

And here they look on the gun:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/IslandersFan/Resurrected%20Grips/RessurectedGrips2.jpg

So for a few hours work I managed to resurrect a pair of grips that I wouldn't ever have thought of using again.

[John]

You want my opinion on that?

Well, Mrs. Key is letting you have too much free time in your hands, and you do not know how to fill it in. I have to speak with Carole about this problem. Tsk, tsk, tsk, testors paint! What? Are you into airplane modelling now? Do some moderation work, instead of playing around! NOW!!

Good work Tom, isn't it nice when you save something, which initially was for the garbage can?

[Tom]

Do some moderation work, instead of playing around! NOW!!
I try, but it gets old after a while constantly chasing after this one guy who calls himself "El Commandante" or some other thing all the time. With his personal attacks on newbies with his :wl: banners - not to mention the ones against me - he ought to have been banned outright. :p

Yeah, I've been into plastic model building since I was five, fell away from it in my teens but when I was in the Navy I got back into it again. What better way of wasting a few hours a day when you're in the middle of nowhere? ;) And now I'm getting my daughter into the act, so I have several bottle and spray cans of different paints laying around just waiting for the next project.

Yeah, I didn't set out to create something on the par with a good pair of commercial grips. I don't even know if I will keep these resurrected grips on this gun. I still like and prefer the feel of wood and at some point I probably will spend real money to get a pair on my Mil-Spec. I was just curious how it would turn out and I must admit, I think they came out well.

So c'mon everyone, I've got a new business started here! For $29.95 +S&H I'll resurrect your old plastic grips!

LOL Just kidding.

[Joni Lynn]

Tom, I thought Carol kept you busy...........you do indeed have too much time on your hands.

[Tom]

Usually I don't. Being on-call 24/7 to TWMBO is tough. I rarely have these golden opportunities, but when they happen then it is carpe diem (seize the fish). :D

[Joni Lynn]

Yes you do.........but I think if we ask John he could find some more things to occuppy your time.

[Tom]

...but I think if we ask John he could find some more things to occuppy your time.
Oh yes, I'm sure he could come up with more to do. Processing avatar requests being #1 on his list. LOL

[Joni Lynn]

I'll take a few minutes and see if I can dream up a honey do list for you, then I can email it to him.

[Tom]

Thanks, dear. :p

Don't you have work to do or something?

[Ericthenorse]

carpe diem (seize the fish). :D

Actually..... I think that would be "fish day"... :D

Carne Diem......mmmmmmm Meat day.......

[Tom]

Actually..... I think that would be "fish day"...
I know, but I heard the "Seize the fish" line somewhere - movie, television - at it has always stuck. I hope my Latin is better than that! :D

[John]

Why? Who do you plan to talk with in Latin? Only Pope speaks that language any more, do you plan to visit the Vatican? We are only two hours away, by plane!

[Tom]

Been there. Conquered that. We stopped in Naples for four days to get our boiler repaired back in 1991.

True, I don't use much Latin. What I really need to learn is Ukrainian!

[John]

True, I don't use much Latin. What I really need to learn is Ukrainian!

Does Mrs. Key know of your ... educational preferences???

[JCM298]

That's all we need on this forum: A word fight between the owner and a moderator. Both of you have too much time on your hands. Do yard work, wash the car, paint the house, etc.

Now that I'm retired I have time to check on you two.

John, Not "John El Commandante"

[Tom]

He started it! :p

[Ericthenorse]

Children.... I'll turn this post right around...........

Don't make me reach back there.......

[John]

Gee, where is this board going? One can't have some fun in here any more. And to think that I am the bloody owner of this place!!! LoRL

OK, back on the right track, what was the subject again?

[Ericthenorse]

Something about grips.....I think..

[JCM298]

Grips, it was.

El Commandante,

You better get a grip on this place. You can be replaced. There's a Turk I know that would like to take over. (Now, I'm going to hide.)

John

[John]

OK, where is that warning for insulting El Commandante? Who removed it? I think it must have been Tom. Where is that Colt?

[Ericthenorse]

I learned a long time ago not to insult anyone with "EL" in their title..... :D

El Presidente
El Diablo
EL COMMANDANTE...etc.

[Ericthenorse]

Back to the grips..... I would really be interested in a long term report on how the paint holds up on them after a few range trips.... :D

[Tom]

I planned on doing two reports: hold up after several trips to the range, as well as wear due to carry. Gimme a couple months and I'll let you know.