[westford86]

Backstory: I picked up a HK91 about two years ago that was in very good condition, with the exception that at some point a previous owner had marred the hell out of it in what I can only assume was a hamfisted effort to mount a scope. The cosmetic blemish and sharp steel burrs drove me nuts, so I had a friend of mine smooth out the metal. I intended to refinish the entire gun after he was done, then I ended up overseas with the military for a while. Now that I am back I need to finish out this project.

Refinishing options: I have reached out to a few shops that offer HK refinishing, but my particular 91 has that slightly off-black bluish-grey color that some olders HK's have, and nobody seems to do that color. Ideally, I'd like to refinish it in the original color, can anyone recommend a good option? If I have to suck it up and get it finished in black, does anyone have experience with RDTS or Investment Grade?

I have done a lot of Cerakote work myself, but they don't offer a factory color to match the old-school HK finish. Can anyone recommend a Cerakote blend that's good for matching the old HK factory finish? I know DuraCoat offers their HK Blue/Grey but I have never used DuraCoat before; a sample chip is on the way...

Any input from people with experience and expertise is welcome.

Below are some pictures of the rifle in question. The lighting outside made it hard to really capture the color of the original paint, I will try to take better photos at some point.

 

[hkshooterusp]

A refinish will never be original regardless of color. Stop hitting your head on the wall and send it to Arizona Response Systems.

https://arizonaresponsesystems.com/finish/

"I specially adapted METACOL III™ Satin Black to match the factory finish on Heckler and Koch rifles, and I have been the authorized refinishing center for Heckler and Koch, USA, for over 13 years."

 

[AGG]

Is that bondo???

Tony

 

[Mr_Barlow]

I'm in the same situation, but with an HK93 in the blue gray finish. In addition to needing a refinish due to negligent scope mounting of years past, I also want to go ahead and get a paddle mag release installed too. I think I'm just gonna take it to TSC machine since they're only a couple hours from me. I hear really great things about them, and their work looks great from what I've seen. As already stated refinishing still won't be original regardless of color, so I wouldn't worry with matching it unless you just really love the blue gray. For me I think I'd prefer a traditional black HK than a blue-gray one.

 

[maxfaxdude]

I'm in the same situation, but with an HK93 in the blue gray finish. In addition to needing a refinish due to negligent scope mounting of years past, I also want to go ahead and get a paddle mag release installed too. I think I'm just gonna take it to TSC machine since they're only a couple hours from me. I hear really great things about them, and their work looks great from what I've seen. As already stated refinishing still won't be original regardless of color, so I wouldn't worry with matching it unless you just really love the blue gray. For me I think I'd prefer a traditional black HK than a blue-gray one.

2 or 3 years ago I had TSC do a HK94 to MP5 SBR conversion and it was superb. Simply flawless.

 

[Conelrad]

Ralph at RDTS in Scottsdale does great work. He says he can provide the '80's blue-gray finish, and can also coat the interior with a 'Teflonesque' that precludes corrosion and wear from the bolt carrier.

So far he has done two original 91's for me, flawless (in my choice of colors).

Dennis

 

[westford86]

Is that bondo???

Tony

I think you need to get your eyes checked.

 

[westford86]

2 or 3 years ago I had TSC do a HK94 to MP5 SBR conversion and it was superb. Simply flawless.

So that is two votes for TSC, I guess I'll give them a call today.

Ralph at RDTS in Scottsdale does great work. He says he can provide the '80's blue-gray finish, and can also coat the interior with a 'Teflonesque' that precludes corrosion and wear from the bolt carrier.

So far he has done two original 91's for me, flawless (in my choice of colors).

Dennis

I talked with RDTS over the phone last week and they said they only did a black finish. How long ago did they do a blue-grey for you?

 

[Conelrad]

RDTS never did a blue-gray one for me, but when we had my first one done a couple years back he said he had the mix for that shade.

It probably went unavailable since then. He doesn't use Cerakote.

DG

 

[westford86]

I had a good conversation with TSC today. They seem like a solid shop who does Cerakote right.

My conversation did lead to more questions. This is getting away from the original topic (but it's my thread), how do I know if my collapsible stock is an original A3, or not a clone or a surplus one?

Also, I am thinking of switching it out for an A2 or a wooden stock. Can someone explain to me why some are so expensive while others are reasonably priced?

 

[westford86]

I just got my rifle back from TSC.

Over all I am pretty happy. They got my rifle turned around in only a few weeks, I have yet to see any flaws in the refinishing, and their communication was great. Best off all he was the cheapest quote of the shops I talked to, only charging an extra $85 to deal with my A3 stock. I do miss the uniqueness of the blue-grey, but it's nice to have a fresh paint job on the rifle again.

I will take some detail shots next week when I have time, here are some quick snapshots for now.

Mods, why aren't photos showing up when I link from a URL? Photos should be appearing in this post...

 

[Kisara]

I can't wait to see the photos! I'm glad it worked out for you. That's a nice rifle.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I'm going to do my new PTR in flecktarn ceracote :44:

 

[westford86]

I can't wait to see the photos! I'm glad it worked out for you. That's a nice rifle.

Apparently I can get the photos to work if I select "Retrieve remote file and reference locally" when using a URL. It would be great if a regular URL photo post would work, so the pics would just display as they should instead of having to click on the tiny thumbnails...

 

[3171scott]

Very Nice, enjoy!

 

[westford86]

Some better photos of the refinished rifle. I'd post more photos but the site still isn't letting me link to images from URL...

 

[bastardsonofelvis]

That looks great. If I had another old beater 91 to refinish, I'd send it to Birdsong for Green-T for something different.

 

[Lthrneck03]

Thant looks killer! Mike and Tammy very nice people I don't think you will regret nothing as far as the blue grey remorse the rifle and parts look new. Did he refinish anything else your bolt looks barand new? My 93 bolt is stained a little from back in the day.

 

[westford86]

Thant looks killer! Mike and Tammy very nice people I don't think you will regret nothing as far as the blue grey remorse the rifle and parts look new. Did he refinish anything else your bolt looks barand new? My 93 bolt is stained a little from back in the day.

They only did the paint. That's a main reason I bought the rifle, the thing is like new on the inside, someone gorilla just messed up outside.

 

[westford86]

Here is a link to all the photos since the forum doesn't function properly - HK91