Sanding a high-capa frame?

[theguy]

Well, I think i have decided its finally time to go metal on my stock TM high-capa 4.3

However, I am now leaning towards a stainless look. My high-capa is black.

I have talked to a few of you about possible methods of achieving a chrome frame. The top contender seems to be sanding my stock frame.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips/suggestions about sanding a frame?

Is it a stupid idea? will it just look crappy?
Should i clear-coat the frame to prevent oxidization?

Anything else i should know?


Also, on another note, How are Guarder slides and outer barrels? Are they that much worse then the Shooters design alternatives? They are almost half the price! Any other suggestions on brands of slides/barrels?

Thanks guys,

EDIT:

I was thinking about aiming for something kinda like this (except in a 4.3 length, and if possible, useing the stock frame)
http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showpos...39&postcount=1

[Styrak]

If you sand it, it will (like you say) oxidize and turn a dull grey.

And don't get a Guarder slide, they're crap because you have to irreversably modify your blowback unit to fit it in the slide.
Shooter's Design, or Davidson Custom (same quality as SD, which I carry), are excellent quality and are much better choices.

[theguy]

Originally Posted by Styrak

If you sand it, it will (like you say) oxidize and turn a dull grey.

Will a clear-coat solve this? Or would that interfear with the cycling of the pistol?

sorry, i feel like i know my way around an AEG, but I'm fairly clueless when its comes to GBBs

[ujiro]

Just don't sand the inside. Sand the outside that will actually show and spray that with a clear coat. But even if you do just sand the whole thing, no, the clear coat will just wear off. Or you can sand it down where it needs to be sanded to allow the slide to move freely.

[theguy]

Originally Posted by ujiro

Just don't sand the inside. Sand the outside that will actually show and spray that with a clear coat. But even if you do just sand the whole thing, no, the clear coat will just wear off. Or you can sand it down where it needs to be sanded to allow the slide to move freely.

Hmm.. the clear coat will wear off?

Guh, I hope this doesn't make my pistol look like ass after a couple year.

[ujiro]

Clear coats are like paint. Hit it up against something or rub something along it hard enough or long enough, and it will wear off.

And what I mean when I said that though is that it would wear where the slide is rubbing up against it. The rest of the frame (the parts you actually see) shouldn't wear really, other than from scratching.

[Cuddles]

I've sanded the frame on my hi capa, just the front part. It does get a little darker as it oxidizes, but I don't mind it.
This is what the frame looks like 3months after I sanded it.

[Steven]

Then dont risk it. I would just go for the Shooter's Design Slide, purely for the looks, and the confidence that it will stay that way.

Just My .02.

[theguy]

Originally Posted by ujiro

Clear coats are like paint. Hit it up against something or rub something along it hard enough or long enough, and it will wear off.

And what I mean when I said that though is that it would wear where the slide is rubbing up against it. The rest of the frame (the parts you actually see) shouldn't wear really, other than from scratching.

Hmm, makes sense.

Maybe if i just re-apply the clear-coat every season.

EDIT:

Cuddles, can you post up a picture?

EDIT again:

Thanks for the picture, looks good

[safx]

If your going to strip the frame,
then go with a black metal slide.

Looks terrible when nice aluminum
is next to oxidized compound metal.

Strip the frame with what ever you
like— I use bio soft furniture stripper.
then you can start with fine sanding
pads and finish with a metal/polish
with a sealer. They're made for alu
but I'm sure the frame has some alu.

[theguy]

Originally Posted by safx

If your going to strip the frame,
then go with a black metal slide.

Looks terrible when nice aluminum
is next to oxidized compound metal.

Strip the frame with what ever you
like— I use bio soft furniture stripper.
then you can start with fine sanding
pads and finish with a metal/polish
with a sealer. They're made for alu
but I'm sure the frame has some alu.

I was planning on going for a 2-tone, but mostly chrome slide, see the link in my original post

Thanks for the tip on stripping the frame

[ILLusion]

Originally Posted by theguy

I was thinking about aiming for something kinda like this (except in a 4.3 length, and if possible, useing the stock frame)
http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showpos...39&postcount=1

It will be difficult to get a surface finish as bright as that receiver. The one used in that build is a plated finish.

Originally Posted by theguy

Also, on another note, How are Guarder slides and outer barrels? Are they that much worse then the Shooters design alternatives? They are almost half the price! Any other suggestions on brands of slides/barrels?

A lot worse. The fit, finish, quality and engineering can't even be compared. It's like apples to oranges. You get what you pay for. If you do get Guarder, prepare to perform destructive modifications to the blowback unit, and expect to do some filing to (maybe) get the outer barrel to function properly.

Shooters Design is a much better option.

ILLusion Kinetics / Airsoft Surgeon / Davidson Customs / Creation all come out of the same factory, and if you get newer versions, they are better than Shooters Design for only a little bit more money. Depending on your source for this product, you may get yourself a very old version of these slides, which do not function well (and in the case of generation 1 slides, are a waste of money.) Davidson Custom is known for distributing generation 1 and generation 2 slides out to re-distributors and end users, whereas Creation and ILLusion Kinetics are on generations 4 and 5 versions of the same product. Airsoft Surgeon has just recently started distributing generation 5, after clearing out all their generation 1 & 2 slides.

[theguy]

Originally Posted by ILLusion

It will be difficult to get a surface finish as bright as that receiver. The one used in that build is a plated finish.


A lot worse. The fit, finish, quality and engineering can't even be compared. It's like apples to oranges. You get what you pay for. If you do get Guarder, prepare to perform destructive modifications to the blowback unit, and expect to do some filing to (maybe) get the outer barrel to function properly.

Shooters Design is a much better option.

ILLusion Kinetics / Airsoft Surgeon / Davidson Customs / Creation all come out of the same factory, and if you get newer versions, they are better than Shooters Design for only a little bit more money. Depending on your source for this product, you may get yourself a very old version of these slides, which do not function well (and in the case of generation 1 slides, are a waste of money.) Davidson Custom is known for distributing generation 1 and generation 2 slides out to re-distributors and end users, whereas Creation and ILLusion Kinetics are on generations 4 and 5 versions of the same product. Airsoft Surgeon has just recently started distributing generation 5, after clearing out all their generation 1 & 2 slides.

Hmm, okay, Ill go with a high-end brand then.

I really love the look of this slide, however, i have only been able to find it in the 5.1 length, and everywhere i have looked, its out of stock. I know 5.1 slides can fit on 4.3 frames, but does anyone have a photo of one? I'm curious to see if the frame looks weird, and out of place.




Thanks,

[Shirley]

You can just convert your 4.3 into a 5.1.

Change up the spring guide and barrel, and then saw off the mid-frame. 4.3 mid-frame is longer than 5.1.

[pusangani]

just sell the gun in its present state and get a stainless 5.1

doing what you plan to do will drop its value and you aren't sure of the end result