XD Talk

The Fuzz · 04-30-2007, 10:47 PM

Dave, to each their own. I read several posts on here regarding the crayola crayon idea before I tried it myself. I found a method that worked well for me and decided to share it.

As for heating the slide, my opinion isn't that humble either, and I think that using a regular Bic type lighter is fine. I've been a USAF welder/machinist for seven years - if I thought for one second that something such as a simple cigarrette lighter would produce enough heat to alter or damage the slide or finish at all, I wouldn't have posted it. I tested this thoroughly on my own gun before posting it. My disclaimer was added to original post becasue someone who isn't as experianced as myself attempted to use a jet flame lighter and slightly marred his bruniral finish by putting too much heat into one area.

Using crayon is a cheap, quick, and effective way to personalize your gun. Lacquer sticks are fine, and I would recommend them over crayon if you are certain that you'll like the results. This is just a non-permanent method that, in most household cases, is free. Lots of people, especially those with kids, have a box of crayons laying around. It's also nice if you end up needing to sell your gun - crayon can easily be wiped out if the buyer doesn't care for the look. Lacquer takes a *bit* more effort to remove, and not everyone is all about the "colored lettering" look.

I'm not trying to be an ass, it just sounded as though you were trying to discredit my methods as dangerous or foolish - which most certainly isn't the case or I wouldn't have posted this to begin with. It probably wouldn't have been stickied either if people were screwing slides up left and right...I posted this over a month before Kermee approved the sticky. Plenty of people had the opportunity to try it out, and I recieved numerous PMs regarding their success before this was tacked.

Very nice looking XD though, that blue color sure is sharp.

texasm203 · 05-01-2007, 09:11 PM

OK, this took a long time, but I did it. I colored in my engravings in yellow, and did the emblem on top in orange. I think It looks pretty good. I'll post with pics once I get a decent camera to take them with. Anybody know where I can get my frame colored? I don't even think it's possible. I have OD green, but I really want to get a black. Any ideas? Any experiences with this?

bamafaninky · 05-01-2007, 09:49 PM

Has anyone tried the coloring on a Bi-tone? I was wanting to try this on my XD but I don't want to be the first to try it!

If anybody has Bi-tone Pictures please post. I was thinking about gold, red or black.

Thanks,

The Fuzz · 05-01-2007, 11:05 PM

I've seen a couple bi-tones done - one with black lettering, and one with red IIRC. They both looked very good, although I'm partial to the black since it matches the frame. It sets off the gun very nicely.

Go ahead and try it, and post some pics! Remember, it's just crayon - if you don't like it, clean it out.

dave_in_delaware · 05-02-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamafaninky

Has anyone tried the coloring on a Bi-tone?

I haven't personally, but I think black lettering/logos would look VERY sophisticated.

As far as coloring the polymer frames, I have no idea if you can do that, too... anyone ever see polymer coloring systems out there?

The Fuzz · 05-02-2007, 06:32 PM

I think that DuraCoat is compatible with synthetics/polymer, but I'm not sure. There have to be some specialty shops out there that can do a polymer frame, but as for the do-it-yourselfer, I dont know.

**Bycyclist** · 05-03-2007, 09:31 PM

Here's a slight variation for the impatient like me:

My *new* XD9Tac:

Couldn't get the lighting right on the pix, so you can't exactly see how good it looks.

I used my wife's metallic silver nail polish as soon as she left for school this morning ; ). Globbed it on, wiped it off with newspaper, let it set for a minute, then wiped off top/excess with a clean rag and nail polish remover.
I'll probably put another coat on it tomorrow to make it stand out just a tad more.

Total time invested = 30 minutes, including trying to find the nail polish and remover.

Myk9noseknows · 05-04-2007, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPES

I think that DuraCoat is compatible with synthetics/polymer, but I'm not sure. There have to be some specialty shops out there that can do a polymer frame, but as for the do-it-yourselfer, I dont know.

Yes, both DuraCoat and GunKote have "air dry" systems that do not need to be heated so you can do polymers.

BTW, I tried black on a cobra chrome, (brushed chrome), slide and it didn't do much. Shadow from the light looks almost the same as the black on the chrome.
What can I say, I had a gold lacquer:

JiffyGriff · 05-04-2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bycyclist

Here's a slight variation for the impatient like me:

My *new* XD9Tac:

Couldn't get the lighting right on the pix, so you can't exactly see how good it looks.

I used my wife's metallic silver nail polish as soon as she left for school this morning ; ). Globbed it on, wiped it off with newspaper, let it set for a minute, then wiped off top/excess with a clean rag and nail polish remover.
I'll probably put another coat on it tomorrow to make it stand out just a tad more.

Total time invested = 30 minutes, including trying to find the nail polish and remover.

Is that the Agrip on your gun? What does the material feel like? Thanks

texasm203 · 05-04-2007, 03:21 AM

OK, got my .40 Tac colored in, used a heat gun (high-power hairdryer) to heat precisely where i needed the crayon melted, worked great. I did the text in yellow and the top emblem in orange. Pics are blury, i took them with my phone, but you can still see the color contrast. Looks good, IMO, in contrast to the OD green grip.