How to Paint an M1911
- 1). Clean and disassemble your weapon. Make sure your firearm is completely clean and dry so that the paint will not seal dirt or moisture onto your gun. Disassembling your gun will make it easier to apply the paint only to the parts you want painted.
- 2). Prepare the gun surface to accept the paint. Different preparations are required for certain surfaces. Wood surfaces should be lightly sanded. If your gun has shiny black bluing on its metal surfaces, the paint can be applied directly to the gun surface.
- 3). Blast the surfaces with the air hose. Going over the surfaces you want painted will ensure that the surfaces are clean and ready to accept the paint. You should also apply masking tape over any areas of the pistol that you do not want painted. This may include the barrel, or the magazine well at the base of the grip.
- 4). Mix the Duracoat color with the supplied hardener and immediately spray onto the gun. Wear your face mask to avoid inhaling paint fumes. The color will begin to harden soon after mixing, so immediately use the airbrush to apply it to the surface of the gun.
- 5). Wait overnight for the paint to dry. The paint dries by a chemical process and needs time to dry and harden before you fire your gun. If you disassembled your gun before applying the Duracoat, wait until the following morning for reassembly.