Bear Mag Refinish

[Gun]

I've had a few e-mails asking how I did my "A" Riser after I posted some pix of it.
I need to give credit to Jim Brandenburg for posting his refinish project.
I had saved his thread for reference.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=003631;p=1  

First I took off every piece of hardware and anything not to be painted.
I wish I would have taken more photos of how I did things as I wasn't sure how some items would come out. The rubber pads the limbs seat against in the limb pockets as example. I wasn't sure if they were glued in or molded somehow. I pried on one with a small screwdriver and it popped right out.



The tiny roll pin the latch hinges on needs to be tapped out with a small punch and light hammer. I used a  broken 1/16th drill bit I squared off on a grinder. The thin ribs that support the pin could crack or break so be careful.



After I had everything taken apart I used a small sandblaster at work to take off the paint.

I found some old screws to fit all the holes so I wouldn't damage or get grit in the threads. (I left these in thru the whole process)

I was just about finished when the sandblaster quit. I had a few small spots of original paint I had to scrape off.  I also narrowed the shelf a bit with a file and sanded smooth.

To get rid of dust after blasting I just cleaned with soap and water and wiped dry.

I couldn't find any zinc phosphate primer Jim mentioned in his post. I settled on the epoxy primer after talking with the clerk at a Auto body supply store. It cost $27 CDN. I gave the riser two coats. You can see the light tan colour at the top of the can which was the color of the primer.

For the main color I used Rust-Oleum Accent paint found in a local hardware store.  It cost about $10. The colors are visible on the cap. I picked one with some brown in the pattern which would match the brown glass of some new Rose Oak limbs. It was a bit dark but I thot the lighter primer would enhance it.

After the primer dried for 24 hours I sprayed a coat of the Texture paint. I could tell it would take a few light coats to make it stick properly. I did a bit at a time over a few hours. The next day I touched up some missed spots and let dry for another day.

I took out the old screws and put everything back together. I had some replacement screws for the sight plate. I found them at a nut & bolt supply store. They have a little larger flat head and are snugged down with an Allen wrench instead of Phillips screwdriver.
more to come...

[shick]

Gun, thanks for taking us along on this project.  Getting the paint to 'stay on' the mag handles has always been a problem.  I'm getting ready to redo a B mag.  Will follow your post.
Shick

[JimB]

I like it a lot.It sure looks like a tough finish.Do you have any more pictures showing the whole riser?

[Gun]

Hi Jim
I'm getting to it. It seems to have really bonded well.

 

For me too Dennis. I had roughed up the original finish on this one and sprayed it with a texture paint. It started flaking in no time.

[Gun]

After the paint had dried it was time to install the grip. I cut a thin piece of leather and laid it out on the riser.
This would serve two functions, (I've done this to other Mags) Provide a bit of insulation for late season sub zero hunts and cushion for the grip.

A thin coat of contact cement and after drying for a minute the leather is on. I then put a strip of double sided tape to help keep the grip in place. The leather really helps to keep the grip from moving around. Plus if you want the refinish it some time down the road its easy to remove again.

[Gun]

Next is installing the grip. I put it in the bathroom sink full of hot tap water to make it bend a bit easier. I was hesitant to put it in boiling water as I wasn't sure if it would melt or distort.

I used a couple of putty knives and strap banding to help slide it over the leather.
 

[Gun]

The finished product.
Thanks for looking


 

[MR BILL SHORTY]

Nice  

[cmh]

Turned out great  

[frank bullitt]

You did good , Gun!    

Sure regret selling my A and B mags!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Nicely Done Gun!

[zepnut]

Very nice Gun.  

[Kelly]

Great job, Gun