Thinking about refinishing my Kimber PRO CDP Series 1 in black

[kdogg]

Well... I have a Kimber PRO CDP Series 1 and all in all it's one of my more favorite pistols. I like the design, I love the way everything is shaved and how thin the thing is.

Recently, I wanted to sell it because I wanted to maybe get something different. I want a PRO sized all black pistol. I had a PRO CARRY II but I like the way the PRO CDP Series 1 is more shaved and thinned out.

So I'm sitting here at 3am thinking, why not just have the slide refinished in black and then accessorize all the silver parts in upgrade stuff in black.

About how much would it cost to have the slide refinished? What company should I speak to about doing this? Will Kimber's custom shop do this?

[AZ Husker]

I love Robar's work. I'd have them do the entire gun though.
http://www.robarguns.com/

[Huevos]

I love Robar's work. I'd have them do the entire gun though.
http://www.robarguns.com/

I'd also contact Ned Christiansen at Michiguns. He's done some blackening on Kimbers (probably other guns too). Like AZ said though, whoever does it, have them do the entire gun. And don't forget to post pics when it's done! :)

[george ries]

dont sell your series 1 kimber you will regret it they are the best kimbers

[GDubya]

You'll lose more money replacing what you have.
Consider the "Diamond Black" vaporized boron carbide finish from Ionbond; it's the premium finish for Nighthaawk guns. ~$150 for the slide, $350 for the entire gun but I don't know if they can do the Al frame. It's really tough!, not paint.

[elijdub]

I'd look into the Diamond Black also. It's supposed to be one of the toughest finishes in the known world ;). Seriously, as previously mentioned, it's what NHC uses as their highest end finish.
Glad to hear your keeping your pistol. That is one very cool gun that i think you'd regret selling (i certainly would).

[06kr]

What year is your Pro-CDP. I have a series 2, I bought new in 2001. Was wondering what year the change started.

[ReverendPDP]

I'm thinking of doing the same with my Ultra CDP2. Can any of you comment on duracoat?

[rm9792]

I'm thinking of doing the same with my Ultra CDP2. Can any of you comment on duracoat?
I have duracoated several pistols and over a dozen rifles. It goes on smooth and seems to hold up well. I dont know if it will stick to the Kimber finish, the silver part anyway.

[Sheffield]

Like you, I sought to "dress down" my CDP. Over time, I have replaced most of the stainless parts for either cosmetic or functional reasons. The replacement parts are a "finish mismatch" with the anodized black frame. No big deal, but I intend to refinish at least those small parts which required fitting, and may choose to just have the whole gun done.

I have been investigating every finish that I could find on the web. Ionbond seems an excellent choice. DLC is applied at a relatively low temp, it is a thin coating (good choice for tight guns), is quite hard, and can be applied to aluminum alloys as well as carbon/stainless steels. The rust resistance is not stellar, but is far better than standard blueing. The color is black only, but the "sheen" of the finish can be either satin or matte. I am told that matte produces a "greyer" finish. Their website www.ionbond.com is not geared toward firearms; Ionbond provides a number of different coatings for many industrial applications. I believe you will need to send in your slide/parts/gun via one of the gunsmiths with whom Ionbond deals. Springer Precision is one. Their site includes a listing of prices for both Ionbond's CRC and their DLC finishes. Small parts can be DLC finished for about $10 apiece, though that is not listed there. Also, you could call Ionbond's inhouse gunsmith with any questions:
Ryan Flynn
IonBond, LLC
7856 McCloud Road
Greensboro, NC 27409

Hope this helps - Sheff
336-665-0005

[Mylhouse]

What is the difference between the CRC finish and the DLC finish?

[Bahjark]

Well... I have a Kimber PRO CDP Series 1 and all in all it's one of my more favorite pistols. I like the design, I love the way everything is shaved and how thin the thing is.

Recently, I wanted to sell it because I wanted to maybe get something different. I want a PRO sized all black pistol. I had a PRO CARRY II but I like the way the PRO CDP Series 1 is more shaved and thinned out.

So I'm sitting here at 3am thinking, why not just have the slide refinished in black and then accessorize all the silver parts in upgrade stuff in black.

About how much would it cost to have the slide refinished? What company should I speak to about doing this? Will Kimber's custom shop do this?
Before you make your pistol tacticool, consider this. I have a two tone Ultra CDP, with the shiny "I have a gun" stainless slide. More than once, a would be trouble maker has seen this "untactical" shiny weapon from a distance and decided that I would not be good prey for them. Just a thought that didn't cross my mind when I first bought my shiny Kimber.