What's the best finish for saltwater? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

socuban · 05-06-2006, 02:55 PM

I have a sc in 9mm and was wondering if I need a different finish other than the factory one for protection from weekend saltwater boating. I see Canyon Creek has a KG gunkote and a fusion finish.

I'm also reading about an NP3 finish. What do you guys recommend?

021411 · 05-06-2006, 03:10 PM

NP3 will be better than Gun Kote. I would say hard chrome would be another option as well as Melonite. Melonite would be ideal since it's an actual metal treatment versus a finish.

Timmy44221 · 05-06-2006, 03:34 PM

Depends on how much you could spend. I would say hard chrome, or melonite would work. Also if your short on cash you could duracoat it.

socuban · 05-06-2006, 03:40 PM

How about keeping it black or dark in color and spending no more than $200?

021411 · 05-06-2006, 03:47 PM

Naturally Duracoat or Gun Kote would be the most cost effective. XD-HS2000.com can do the slide for $55. Melonite can be done at http://burlingtoneng.com/melonite.html They don't have a price posted but I'm sure they can tell you over the phone. This will probably be expensive. Maybe close to $200 for the slide and small parts.

Palmetto · 05-06-2006, 06:37 PM

Black-T is hands down the best against salt water.

Black-T was developed as a finish for the external mechanical parts of Navy submarines. They needed a finish that would keep rust and corrosion from salt at bay, and did not need lubrication. Soon after they won contracts for submarine parts, it was discovered that it worked extremely well for small arms. - Can't beat that!

I called and talked to Mr. Birdsong who created Black-T and he's a super nice fella. Gave me all the advantages to his process but the only down side is you have to get in line behind a hundred other guns contracted by the US Armed Forces and many law enforcement offices. If you catch him at the end of a big job you might get your gun back in 15-20 days.

**jnclement** · 05-06-2006, 08:08 PM

+1 on Birdsong. But like he told me, all the Federal and military budgets got approved in April, so he'll be swamped for a long time. I think he told me an XD would be $120 for all metal parts. I was going to send my XD sub, but I'm hung up waiting on the TFOs. I think if the coating is good enough to all the special forces, and deck guns, it ought to work OK for us normal folk.

socuban · 05-08-2006, 03:19 PM

Gun is on it's way to Birdsong! 2 months and $135, small investment so my gun won't rust to death due to boating. Thanks for all the advice!

Palmetto · 05-08-2006, 05:21 PM

Great choice!
I couldn't wait that long.
I think you'll be very pleased.
Post pics once you get it back.

**wfrazee** · 05-09-2006, 10:09 PM

WHere to contact Mr Birdsong?

05-06-2006, 02:55 PM	#1
socuban XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Peanut Island, FL Posts: 156	What's the best finish for saltwater? I have a sc in 9mm and was wondering if I need a different finish other than the factory one for protection from weekend saltwater boating. I see Canyon Creek has a KG gunkote and a fusion finish. I'm also reading about an NP3 finish. What do you guys recommend? __________________ Wilson Combat KZ-9 Remington 870 Marine Magnum

05-06-2006, 03:10 PM	#2
021411 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,019	NP3 will be better than Gun Kote. I would say hard chrome would be another option as well as Melonite. Melonite would be ideal since it's an actual metal treatment versus a finish. __________________ XD40 : Custom SA 1911 Springer Precision TX XD Practical Shooters Association

05-06-2006, 03:40 PM	#4
socuban XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Peanut Island, FL Posts: 156	How about keeping it black or dark in color and spending no more than $200? __________________ Wilson Combat KZ-9 Remington 870 Marine Magnum

05-06-2006, 03:47 PM	#5
021411 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,019	Naturally Duracoat or Gun Kote would be the most cost effective. XD-HS2000.com can do the slide for $55. Melonite can be done at http://burlingtoneng.com/melonite.html They don't have a price posted but I'm sure they can tell you over the phone. This will probably be expensive. Maybe close to $200 for the slide and small parts. __________________ XD40 : Custom SA 1911 Springer Precision TX XD Practical Shooters Association

05-08-2006, 03:19 PM	#8
socuban XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Peanut Island, FL Posts: 156	Gun is on it's way to Birdsong! 2 months and $135, small investment so my gun won't rust to death due to boating. Thanks for all the advice! __________________ Wilson Combat KZ-9 Remington 870 Marine Magnum

05-06-2006, 03:34 PM	#3
Timmy44221 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 797	Depends on how much you could spend. I would say hard chrome, or melonite would work. Also if your short on cash you could duracoat it.

05-06-2006, 06:37 PM	#6
Palmetto XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 122	Black-T is hands down the best against salt water. Black-T was developed as a finish for the external mechanical parts of Navy submarines. They needed a finish that would keep rust and corrosion from salt at bay, and did not need lubrication. Soon after they won contracts for submarine parts, it was discovered that it worked extremely well for small arms. - Can't beat that! I called and talked to Mr. Birdsong who created Black-T and he's a super nice fella. Gave me all the advantages to his process but the only down side is you have to get in line behind a hundred other guns contracted by the US Armed Forces and many law enforcement offices. If you catch him at the end of a big job you might get your gun back in 15-20 days.

05-06-2006, 08:08 PM	#7
jnclement XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 2,496	+1 on Birdsong. But like he told me, all the Federal and military budgets got approved in April, so he'll be swamped for a long time. I think he told me an XD would be $120 for all metal parts. I was going to send my XD sub, but I'm hung up waiting on the TFOs. I think if the coating is good enough to all the special forces, and deck guns, it ought to work OK for us normal folk.

05-08-2006, 05:21 PM	#9
Palmetto XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 122	Great choice! I couldn't wait that long. I think you'll be very pleased. Post pics once you get it back.

05-09-2006, 10:09 PM	#10
wfrazee XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 572	WHere to contact Mr Birdsong? __________________ WFRAZEE "When you take your gun with you, leave your middle finger home." - Unattributed

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