Arcade Collecting > Restorations & repair
Centipede Mini Restoration
SirPeale:
--- Quote from: MaximRecoil on October 31, 2009, 01:56:06 am ---Bluing looks different than paint (and better IMO); and I think that's the point. Bluing doesn't look like a coating, it looks like the steel itself is black to begin with; similar to the effect colored anodizing has on aluminum.
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Agreed. I'm researching gunsmiths in my area.
Wade:
--- Quote from: SirPeale on October 31, 2009, 05:27:43 am ---
--- Quote from: MaximRecoil on October 31, 2009, 01:56:06 am ---Bluing looks different than paint (and better IMO); and I think that's the point. Bluing doesn't look like a coating, it looks like the steel itself is black to begin with; similar to the effect colored anodizing has on aluminum.
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Agreed. I'm researching gunsmiths in my area.
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If you're that bent on the black oxide finish... why not just order some new ones? I have a variety of sizes I ordered from Bob Roberts or a similar parts shop at some point. I think mine have lettering on them, but really... are you that particular about your bolt heads?
In my opinion... a decent painted bolt head looks almost identical, if not better, than most factory black oxide bolts. Painted seems to last longer too. If you think semigloss looks too "good", try flat or semi-flat paint. Looks almost identical.
Wade
SirPeale:
Keep in mind I do this sort of thing as a "hobby business". So although yes, this is just four bolts on this game, I will likely have need of many others in the near future. So far I have not found a *local* source of hot bluing. I contacted a gunsmith in the area and he referred me to the guy he uses...in CT. Of course, this is just the one guy I've contacted and I've made no other moves. Right this second it's not that high a priority. I'll return to it when I get the opportunity.
MaximRecoil:
--- Quote from: Wade on November 04, 2009, 04:30:36 pm ---If you're that bent on the black oxide finish... why not just order some new ones? I have a variety of sizes I ordered from Bob Roberts or a similar parts shop at some point. I think mine have lettering on them, but really... are you that particular about your bolt heads?
In my opinion... a decent painted bolt head looks almost identical, if not better, than most factory black oxide bolts. Painted seems to last longer too. If you think semigloss looks too "good", try flat or semi-flat paint. Looks almost identical.
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The only time paint can approximate the look of bluing/black oxide is when the bolts are blued in a fairly rough state; in which case, it resembles flat black paint or primer. When the steel is fairly smooth before bluing, the results can not even be approximated with paint. Atari's carriage bolts used the smooth process, at least the ones on my Missile Command did.
And to see just how far the bluing process can be taken, take a look at a vintage Colt Python or Smith & Wesson N-frame revolver sometime. Those have blued finishes so "deep" that it seems like you could dive into them; and are as different in appearance from paint as night is from day.
In any event, the point is; the more polished/smooth the steel is prior to bluing, the less it looks like paint after bluing; and Atari used fairly smooth bolts.
Wade:
It sounds to me like you're just really particular about black oxide finishes. :) We're not talking about show guns, we're talking about bolt heads on videogames. I've used new blackened bolts and painted bolts on a couple dozen video and pin restorations, and no one has yet to comment about any of the bolt heads not looking right. Like I said... in my opinion, painted ones look better than the factory finish most of the time. If you're that particular about your bolt heads, I'd like to see the other parts of your games! :)
Wade
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