PDA

View Full Version : Type III hardcoat or hard chrome?

egumpher
17th January 2009, 16:09
Hello,

I intend to refinish the frame of my Colt Lightweight Commander (Aluminum frame) because it is starting to show signs of wear on the front of the frame rails as shown in the pictures below.

Type III hard coat VS hard chrome:

I am familiar with type III hard coat anodize because I use it at work and have a P226 with a hard coated frame that shows little wear. It will color the frame black but I don't have a problem with this and think that it will probably great.

I am not familiar with hard chrome except my exposure to it on my old motorcycle fork tubes but understand that it is a very popular method to coat pistol frames.

Considering that type III hard coat and hard chrome have roughly same Rockwell hardness, is there any advantage or disadvantage to chrome plated vs hard coated pistol frames?


BTW...I just ordered a replacement plunger tube from Colt yesterday.

Thank you
Regards
Eric


http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff327/ewgewgewg/IMG_5349-2.jpg

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff327/ewgewgewg/IMG_5345-2.jpg
DuckRyder
17th January 2009, 16:21
I think there are difficulties in Hard Chrome over Aluminum. I seem to recall that when Trip still did finishing that they would not Hard Chrome Aluminum.

At anyrate, my vote goes for hard anodize then Ion Bond DLC.
egumpher
17th January 2009, 16:27
I think there are difficulties in Hard Chrome over Aluminum. I seem to recall that when Trip still did finishing that they would not Hard Chrome Aluminum.

At anyrate, my vote goes for hard anodize then Ion Bond DLC.

Thank you I forgot about PVD coatings and Ion Bond is at the top.

I thought that you can only DLC (Diamond Like Coating) over hardcoat aluminum? (mine isn't yet).....oops that's what you said...

Rgds
Eric
egumpher
19th February 2009, 18:49
Hello,

I finally decided to refinish my Lightweight Commander Frame with black Type III—Hard Anodizing per MIL-A-8625 and top coat with flat black Teflon impregnated Xtremcoat from US Anodize. I truly believe that hardcoat anodize will significantly extend the life of the frame.

I wont receive the frame until a few week and it will be a strange looking beast with a flat black frame, steel pins and original color mag release. I will decide how to proceed "recoloring" these parts after a while.

Best Regard
Eric