How to paint a knife?

C

citizensoldierNY

Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Messages
805
Not in love with the desert color on my CRKT M-1. Thinking of refinishing it. Just wonder what those a whole lot more knowledgeable than me would use and how they would go about doing it, how to prep it etc.
 
tsiloics,
I actually looked at their site, just doesn't make all that much sense to me to put a fifty-five dollar finish, not to mention shipping costs on a fifty dollar knife. Was looking more for advice on how to refinish it myself.
 
Funny?

If it'll work on my 50K race car, it'll damn well work on a knife. Lol. Go to town.

Be glad you have a hobby where 50 bucks is even significant.
 
Any paint you use (even Duracoat) will wear off. After all-it's paint.
You can sand or blast the existing coating off and leave the aluminum natural, or send it off for electroless nickel or anodizing.
All are a lot of trouble and expense. My recommendation is to leave it alone, or clean it well and Krylon it.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Any paint you use (even Duracoat) will wear off. After all-it's paint.
You can sand or blast the existing coating off and leave the aluminum natural, or send it off for electroless nickel or anodizing.
All are a lot of trouble and expense. My recommendation is to leave it alone, or clean it well and Krylon it.
Click to expand...

100% agree.
 
What about the bake-on matte black finish that Brownell's sells for guns? You have to prep the surface really well, spray it on, then bake at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour.

Hmmm.. doubt that's a good idea if you have composite scales! You might want to use the bake-on for the metal and Krylon for the other parts.
 
The hammered finish paints seem to be a bit more durable than other spray paints. I've used them on guitar effect pedals I've built and they seem to stand up better to gig bags, dark stages and drunk musician's feet. Head to your nearest hardware store, buy a can and have at it.
 
Just finished one yesterday. I refinished the handle/grips on a BM 525. Used a flat black that was a perfect match to the black anodized factory finish.
Surface prep is the most important part. I did the sanding with 320 and 400 grit wet/dry paper. After that clean the grips with solvent and finished up with a warm soapy wash to remove any solvent residue etc. For a finsal finish I just used some flat black paint I had in the shop. I'm sure it will scratch up but if you use a knife much that is gonna happen no matter what you refinish with. I might try a finish from Brownells like the Aluma-Hyde II at a later time. From a cost standpoint I can't see spending more that what the knife cost to start with. As far a coating a blade just not worth it. I have put satin finishes on blades with 3M buffing pads but no paint. All in all its probably more work than its worth.
 
If you're gonna go black...the High Temp Black ( Krylon? spray) seems to be tough as heck....made for refinishing BBQ grills, engine blocks, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top