Need advise on how to address faded Anodized titanium handles

E

ericvar101

Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
738
I recently bought a Gen 3 XM-18 (made between 2008 - 2011). The titanium handles were originally anodized blue. The Anodized coating has faded and I am debating having it re-anodized, but as we all know, it will eventually wear off again. So I was considering other options, like having the titanium scales DLC or cerakoted. I was also thinking about seeing if they could be power coated.

Amy I crazy to think I can just take some black spray paint to my lockbar side titanium scale and make it look nice? After all, it is the handle (not the blade) so it shouldn't need to be as durable as a blade coating.

Has anyone offer any advice to which would be the best way to go? It was obviously an expensive knife and I don't want to do something stupid.

Thanks for any advice you may have.

 
ericvar101 said:
I recently bought a Gen 3 XM-18 (made between 2008 - 2011). The titanium handles were originally anodized blue. The Anodized coating has faded and I am debating having it re-anodized, but as we all know, it will eventually wear off again. So I was considering other options, like having the titanium scales DLC or cerakoted. I was also thinking about seeing if they could be power coated.
Click to expand...
- Cerakote is a very durable coating, but you're going to have wear on it if you use your knife a lot. I have an Emerson framelock conversion that has Cerakote on the framelock. It's showing some wear after 3 years. It doesn't bother me since I use my knives and don't worry too much about their looks.

ericvar101 said:
Amy I crazy to think I can just take some black spray paint to my lockbar side titanium scale and make it look nice? After all, it is the handle (not the blade) so it shouldn't need to be as durable as a blade coating.
Click to expand...
- I wouldn't use spray paint at all. It's going to be hard to evenly apply the spray paint and that may affect the fit of the knife after you reassemble it. Not to mention that spray paint is going to be nowhere near the durability of Cerakote and it's going to wear much quicker.

Personally, I think that worn blue anodizing looks great on your knife. But if you can't live with it, I would have it re-anodized. That's too nice of a knife to possibly ruin.
 
I agree with the post above. The worn look is very cool; and re-anodizing is probably the best bet. If you really don't like the look, I will take it off your hands for free! :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top